Following is a summary of minutes of a regular meeting of the Board of Education of Jasper County Community Unit School District No. 1 held in the office of the Board of Education on Monday, August 16, 2021. Board members present were Mrs. Mandy Rieman, Mrs. Holly Farley, Mr. Bill Meinhart, Mr. Jerry L. Jed Earnest, Mr. Jason Kuhl, and Mr. Brady Shull. Members absent: None.
All votes are considered unanimous unless otherwise noted.
Mandy Rieman called the meeting to order.
Agenda was approved as presented.
There were 2 FOIA requests. 1 from ILHLWD and 1 from Jerry L. Jed Earnest.
Approval of the consent agenda:
Regular Minutes for July 19, 2021, there were no closed session/minutes,
Bills and Payroll and Activity Accounts,
Presentment of monthly financial reports,
Destruction of closed session recording for June 20, 2019,
Volunteers: Kryton McNair – NCHS Scholastic Bowl – Michael Fitzmaurice – NCHS Band to drive the truck and trailer and Paul Davidson – NCHS Boys Basketball,
Declare a special education lift, track uniforms, track warm ups, Cross Country uniforms, Cross Country warmupsmand The Developing Child textbooks as surplus. Mandy asked for Recognition of Guests and Public Comments. Jeffrey Finley, JCEA President, spoke on behalf of the JCEA regarding the Governor’s order. Mr. Finley states his appreciation of the board of education in looking out for the best interest of the staff and students. The JCEA did not state they had an opinion one way or the other on the masks. But just wanted to make sure the board members knew that they were appreciated and the JCEA understands how difficult of a position they are currently in. Several parents were present and spoke of their thoughts of wearing or not wearing masks: Logan Andrews provided much information on the importance of universal masking.
Sabrina Garcia, Kristy Michels, Jamie Goss, Dan Utley, Mandi Utley all spoke of the desire for their children to not be required to wear masks. Mr. Johnson read two emails that the senders requested to be read at the meeting – both were in support of wearing masks and safety if promoted. Those emails were from Phyllis Ervin and Jessica Parrent.
Mr. Johnson also stated at this point he has received at least 60 emails in support of masking being optional and about 15 emails in support of universal masking. He also stated he sent out a survey during the end of June, all of July asking for people to weigh in on supporting or not supporting the
protocols put in place on June 21, 2021 on a vote of 5 for 0 against 1 abstained 1 absent – the results from the survey are attached: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iM7FlwVI8yuVUW0YyZ4ycPM2kXDS_nzEEInz_YgcIr0/edit#respon
Discussion and presentation of the FY 22’ Tentative Budget, it will be on display for the next 30 days in the
district office.
Approval of a 3 year contract renewal with Securly. Securly acts as a web filter to prevent students from accessing certain websites. It offers K-12 schools tools to monitor and restrict students' internet usage.
While the main purpose is to monitor for suspicious activity, it can also be used for classroom
management.
Approval of the District Strategic Plan. These strategic objectives are short term and long term goals beginning 2021-2022 and ending 2024-2025. Attached are these objectives. Mr. Johnson shared that these goals are stretched to challenge us as a district to promote growth in many areas. Much of the year 1 objectives are creating baselines for improvement in the upcoming years. He is very appreciative to all involved in this process for our district to now have in place for board meetings, committee meetings, conversations with administration and staff to be focused on these objectives to promote success for our students and staff. Thanks to Bill Meinhart on all of his hard work leading this important project. The board and Mr. Johnson was seeking an outside source to aid with this process and the
decision was made to stay internal with the process to save money. Mr. Meinhart led this initiative to help the district do exactly that. Thank you all again for playing an intricate part in this process.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSrZ6yYPEJrma1dpsHgeeKzuCM-
O81DBnTHbIn0LlE4eeqpAS8KleUrPEQLXnCkDevKVDHPLbVExxip/pub
Approval of the updated Risk Management and Schools Safety Program effective September 1, 2021.
Approval of Task Order #11R with Farnsworth Group. This is to conduct a decennial health/life safety survey at each of the school buildings. Ayes: Kuhl, Rieman, Farley, Meinhart, Shull. Nays: Earnest. Motion carried 5-1.
Approval of Task Order #12 with Farnsworth Group. This is a conduct code compliance review of the Sunrise Center as required by ISBE for application for occupancy permit for an afterschool program to begin in a couple of months. Ayes: Rieman, Farley, Meinhart, Shull, Kuhl. Nays: Earnest. Motion carried 5-1.
Approval of Task Order #13 with Farnsworth Group. This is to prepare building renovation permitting drawings for minimal modifications to be completed primarily by District staff and/or directly contracted construction service providers. Ayes: Rieman, Farley, Meinhart, Shull, Kuhl. Nays: Earnest. Motion
carried 5-1.
Approval of Sarah Bush Lincoln being our full time athletic trainer at NCHS.
Approval of Mandy Rieman serving as the district’s representative on the SESE board effective immediately. Ayes: Meinhart, Shull, Kuhl, Earnest, Farley. Nays: None. Abstain: Rieman. Mr. Johnson informed the board of the recent resignation of Gordon Millsap from the JCCU #1 Board of Education. Thanks Gordon for your 20 plus years of serving on the board. Nomination by Brady Shull for Bill Meinhart to fill the Vice President position effective immediately. Mandy Rieman was Vice President and is now serving as the Board President. This was by voice count, all was in favor.
Much discussion and action on COVID School Protocols/Procedures for FY22, including addressing masking,
contact tracing and other mitigations. Ayes: Shull, Kuhl, Farley, Meinhart. Nays: Earnest. Abstain: Rieman.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSteUnHQ34VxTYvFXXq_NtvEmz-
j1z_plXOhuoxBTadGwdVRMZEeJmK85OJRmeWWSBh9K1dl7InxP1M/pub
First Reading of several PRESS Policies and 5-year Review Policies.
Approval to transfer Lee Bergbower from night custodian at Newton Elementary to day custodian at
Newton Elementary effective immediately.
Approval to accept the resignation of Patti Swick as a Transportation Aide effective September 10, 2021.
Thanks for 11 years of dedication to the students of our District.
Approval to hire Ron Schafer as night time custodian at Newton Elementary starting immediately.
Approval to hire Trish Cochran and Susan Niemerg as JCJH/NCHS Cooks effective immediately. They
were previously hired by OPAA and will now be employees of the district.
Approval to hire Ashley Blank as a full time cook at Newton Elementary starting immediately.
Approval to hire Heather Carey as a part time dishwasher at Newton Elementary to start immediately.
Approval to hire Scott Larson as a part time cook at Newton Elementary to start immediately.
Approval to hire Kayleigh Miller as a part time dishwasher at Jasper County Junior High/Newton
Community High School starting immediately.
Approval to hire Darleta Wagner as a paraprofessional to work at Ste. Marie Elementary starting
immediately.
Approval to hire Cassy Baker as the NCHS Scholastic Bowl Coach to start with the 2021-2022 school year.
Approval to advertise for an Assistant JCJH Softball Coach and an Assistant JCJH Baseball Coach starting
with the 2021-2022 school year.
Under superintendent’s report:
Thank you to all for the incredible start of the 2021 – 2022 school year. Students, staff and the
community seem to be very excited and engaged at the start of this school year.
Approval for JCCU #1 conducting a forensic audit. Ayes: None. Nays: Kuhl, Earnest, Rieman, Farley,
Meinhart, Shull. Motion failed 0-6.
Approval on streaming and archiving ALL Board Meetings including (regular, special and committee).
Ayes: Earnest. Nays: Rieman, Farley, Meinhart, Shull, Kuhl. Motion failed 1-5.
Agreed to table the discussion and possible action of JCCU#1 rebidding the District’s Attorneys.
There was no closed session.
Meeting adjourned at 9:12 pm.
Next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 20, 2021 at 6:30pm at the Board Office.
