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 on Monday, November 17th, 2025 in the office of the Board of Education. Board members present were Mr. Brady Shull, Mrs. Jackie Schackmann, Mrs. Mandy Rieman, Mr. Evan Semple, Mrs. Nichole Mulvey and Mrs. Mandi Utley. Board members absent were Mr. David Blecha.
All votes are considered unanimous unless otherwise noted.
Mandy Rieman called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Approval to Adopt the Agenda.
Superintendent, Joe Sornberger, gave an overview of the Energy Transition Grant and asked if anyone would like to give input. There were no comments.
The District received one FOIA Request for information via Law Group out of Effingham for Board Policies and Handbooks. This was a request from a parent in our District.
Approval of Consent Agenda as presented.
Regular and Closed Minutes from October 20, 2025,
Bills and Payroll,
Presentment of monthly financial reports,
Nolan Cleaver as a volunteer for JCJH Boys Basketball,
Anthony Richards as a volunteer for NCHS Boys Basketball,
$899 from Newton Athletic Boosters for the Athletic Boot System,
$800 from Newton Athletic Boosters for baseballs and softballs,
$51 from Newton Athletic Boosters for Golf Sectional T-shirts,
$200 from Newton Athletic Boosters for Tennis State Qualifiers,
$2,000 Anonymous Donation for Girls Basketball,
$2,000 Anonymous Donation for Boys Basketball,
$1,220 from Jasper County Shriners Club to NCHS FFA for workers helping at the Demo Derby,
$1,116 from Newton Foods Fundraiser specifically for the Jasper County Junior High Cheerleading Team,
$400 from Thomas Carr for future Veteran’s Day Programs at NES,
$500 from Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation for Science & Technology Integration for Data Driven Education,
Declare various technology items and printer/copier supplies as surplus.
Under the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Sornberger mentioned the Illinois School Report Card was released on October 30, 2025. Newton Community High School, Jasper County Junior High, and Newton Elementary School were all rated as “Commendable.”
Krista McLaren from Kemper C.P.A. presented the FY 25 Audit. In this audit, the district was found to be labeled “Recognition.” This is the highest rating for the audit.
Approval of posting the Tax Levy for 2025.
Approval of Letting Bids for District Fuel.
Approval of the FY 25 Annual Finance Report.
Approval of Bid Packages #3 John L Lewis Concrete Construction, #4 C.J. Masonry, #5 Central Illinois Erectors, #6 Grunloh Construction Inc, #7 Glandt Roofing, #9.1 Hoelscher Interiors, #9.5 Floorsite Inc, #9.9 R.P. Coatings, #21 L & K Fire Protection, #22 Davis-Houk Mechanical Inc, #26 Commercial Electric, & #31 Kiefer Brothers for Newton Elementary Building Addition and Assignment of Trade Contracts to Holland Construction.
Approval of an Alternate Bid for two additional classrooms for the Newton Elementary Building Addition Project (total of eight classrooms).
Approval of Holland Construction Services Inc’s Guaranteed Maximum Price Amendment for the Newton Elementary Building Project for $7,892,323 in construction cost plus Owner’s Cost of $948,034 equaling a total of $8,840,357.
There was no Closed Session.
Approval to accept the resignation from Magela Snyder as a NES Paraprofessional effective October 31, 2025.
Approval to hire Kaitlin Berry as a NES Paraprofessional effective immediately.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 22nd, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at the Board of Education Office located at 1401 Clayton Avenue.
