NEWTON, Ill. — The Jasper County Community Unit #1 Board of Education met Monday, June 22, approving an amended fiscal year 2026 budget, updates to district policies, administrative contract renewals, and several personnel changes.
Prior to the regular meeting, the board conducted an amended FY2026 budget hearing at the District Office. The hearing reviewed updates made to the district’s original budget. Following board approval, the amended budget will be submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education.
Policy Updates Approved
Board members completed second readings of numerous PRESS policy updates. Policies receiving second readings without changes included those related to Title IX grievance procedures, incurring debt, student harassment, health examinations and immunizations, extracurricular conduct codes, and communicable diseases.
The board also approved a second reading of several policies that contained revisions, including policies governing school board meetings, public records access, grievance procedures, child sexual abuse awareness and prevention, hiring criteria, employee leave policies, school wellness, social and emotional development, educational use of animals, Title I programs, technology use, student transfers, bus conduct, athletics, and booster clubs.
Building Projects Continue Across the District
Superintendent reports highlighted several ongoing facility improvement projects throughout the district.
At Newton Elementary School, HVAC units in the 1999 building addition are being replaced. Meanwhile, plumbing and restroom renovations continue at Newton Community High School.
District staff members are also actively preparing buildings for the upcoming 2026-27 school year.
Construction continues on the Newton Elementary School addition, with crews currently pouring foundations for the south wall, rerouting existing water lines, relocating gas lines, and beginning work on the north parking lot.
School Fees and Calendar Changes Approved
The board approved school fees for the 2026-27 school year, including a 10-cent increase in lunch prices and an increase in milk prices from 40 cents to 60 cents.
Board members also approved meeting dates for the 2026-27 school year, with regular meetings scheduled monthly from July 2026 through June 2027.
An amended school calendar was approved as well. Parent-teacher conferences have been moved to October 21 and 22, 2026, with students dismissed early at 2 p.m. on both days. No student attendance will be held on Friday, October 23.
The board also approved an agreement with QHS Advisors regarding FCC licenses.
Administrative Contracts Renewed
Following executive session, the board approved contract renewals for several district administrators for the 2026-27 school year, including:
- NCHS Principal Beth Probst
- NES Principal Jessica Guzman
- SME Principal and Special Needs Coordinator Jennifer Bales
- JCJH Principal Jordan Leisher
- NES Assistant Principal Ryan Klier
The board also approved a salary adjustment for Luke Zuber for the upcoming school year.
Personnel Changes
The board accepted several resignations and retirements, including:
- Rebecca Kennedy, NES Elementary Teacher
- Callie Probst, NCHS Art Teacher
- Darlene Walker, Part-Time Title I Teacher
- Autumn Peddycoart, NES Full-Time Substitute
- David Murphy, NES Cook
New hires approved by the board included:
- Melissa Worrell, 7th/8th Grade Life Skills Teacher
- Whitney Klier, District Paraprofessional
- Cassondra Gragert, District Paraprofessional
The district will continue seeking applicants for a full-time substitute position at Newton Elementary School as well as various additional positions as needed.
Jasper County Community Unit #1, Board of Education Meeting
Report June 22, 2026
Amended FY 2026 Budget Hearing
- The District held an amended budget hearing on June 22, 2026 at 6:20 p.m. at the District Office.
- The amended budget hearing is to discuss updates to the original budget.
- Once approved, the amended budget will be sent to the Illinois State Board of Education.
Press Policy
- Second Reading of Press Policy Updates-UnChanged
- 2:265 Title IX Grievance Procedure
- 4:40 Incuring Debt
- 7:20 Harassment of Students Prohibited
- 7:100 Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations;Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students
- 7:240 Conduct Code for Participants in Extracurricular Activities
- 7:280 Communicable and Chronic Infectious Diseases
Second Reading of Press Policy Updates-Changed
- 2:200 Types of School Board Meetings
- 2:220 School Board Meeting Procedures
- 2:250 Access to District Public Records
- 2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedures
- 4:165 Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming
- 5:30 Hiring Criteria
- 5:50 Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace, E-Cigarette, Tobacco, and Cannabis Prohibition
- 5:250 Leaves of Absence
- 5:330 Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves
- 6:50 School Wellness
- 6:65 Student Social and Emotional Development
- 6:100 Using Animal in the Educational Program
- 6:145 Migrant Students
- 6:170 Title I Programs
- 6:180 Extended Instructional Programs
- 6:220 Bring Your Own Technology Program
- 7:50 School Admissions and Student Transfers To and From Non-District Schools
- 7:185 Teen Dating Violence Prohibited
- 7:220 Bus Conduct
- 7:230 Misconduct by Student with Disabilities
- 7:260 Exemption from Physical Education
- 7:300 Extracurricular Athletics
- 8:90 Parent Organizations and Booster Clubs
Superintendent’s Report:
Building & Grounds Update
- HVAC Units are being replaced at Newton Elementary on the 1999 building addition.
- NCHS Plumbing/bathroom project is underway
- Staff in all buildings are cleaning to prepare for the 2026-2027 school year.
- NES Building Addition:
- Foundations are being poured for the south wall of the building
- Tie-in and routing of existing waterlines
- Relocations of gas lines
- Begin construction of the north parking lot
New Business
- Approved of the Amended FY 26 Budget
- Approved School Fees for the 2026-2027 School Year
- Increase .10 cents for lunch
- Increased milk from .40 to .60
- Approved Board Dates for the 2026-2027 School Year
- July 20,2026
- August 17, 2026
- September 21, 2026
- October 19, 2026
- November 16, 2026
- December 14, 2026 (2nd Monday)
- January 19, 2027 (Tuesday)
- February 16, 2027 (Tuesday)
- March 15, 2027
- April 19, 2027
- May 17, 2027
- June 21, 2027
- Approved an Amended Calendar for the 2026-2027 School Year
- Moved PT conferences to October 21 & 22 with an early dismissal of school on those days at 2:00.
- Friday, October 23, 2026 will be a day of no attendance.
- Approved an Agreement with QHS Advisors for FCC Licenses
Action out of Executive Session
- Approved Contract Renewals for NCHS Principal Beth Probst, NES
Principal Jessica Guzman, SME Principal/Special Needs Coordinator Jennifer
Bales, JCJH Principal Jordan Leisher and NES Assistant Principal Ryan Klier for the 2026-2027 School Year.
- Approved a salary adjustment for Luke Zuber for the 2026-2027 School Year.
Retirement/Resignation:
- Rebecca Kennedy-NES Elementary Teacher
- Callie Probst- NCHS Art Teacher
- Darlene Walker-Part Time Title 1 Teacher
- Autumn Peddycoart-NES Full Time Substitute
- David Murphy-NES Cook
Hires:
- Melissa Worrell-7th/8th Grade Life Skills
- Whitney Klier- District Paraprofessional
- Cassondra Gragert- District Paraprofessional
Post:
- Full Time Sub at NES
- Various Positions as Needed
