The Jasper County Community Unit School District No. 1 Board of Education approved several personnel changes, recognized numerous donations to district programs and discussed upcoming school improvement projects during its regular meeting Monday, October 19.
The meeting was held at the Board of Education Office, with all seven board members present. Mandy Rieman called the meeting to order.
Board Reviews FOIA Requests
The district received four Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
Oshea Smith of Sunlight Access requested an electronic summary of district purchase orders issued from March 1 through July 31, 2026. Angela LeClaire requested a current and complete listing of district employees.
Robert Mercer of Databranchusa requested a spreadsheet or equivalent file containing district purchase orders issued from June 7, 2026, through the date of the request. Olivia Bennett of WTHI-TV News 10 requested financial information from HLERK regarding the district’s annexation case.
No guests or members of the public offered comments during the meeting.
Donations Support School Programs
The board approved the consent agenda, including the September 21 regular and closed-session minutes, bills and payroll, monthly financial reports, donations and personnel items.
Several donations were received in memory of Bill Jones. First Baptist Church donated $200 to Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
The NCHS baseball team received the following memorial donations:
- Mary Thornton, $25
- Kimberly Cummins, $25
- Jim Robins, $25
- Terry Ruddlell, $25
- Walter Litchfield, $20
- Ed Webb, $50
- Jennifer McKee, $25
- Lee Story, $75
- Sandra Goodwin, $100
- Robert Klier, $100
- Peoples State Bank, $50
- Barbara Ping, $50
The additional donations approved were:
- Dan Pilson Auto Center, $250 to NCHS cheerleaders
- Midwest Tractor Sales, $300 to NCHS cheerleaders
- Peoples State Bank, $200 to JCCU No. 1
- Peoples State Bank, $220 to NCHS chorus
- Anonymous donor, $2,000 to the NCHS musical department
- First Baptist Church, $2,000 to FCA
- Scott Avenue Christian Church, $500 to NCHS FCA
- Scott Avenue Christian Church, $500 to JCJH FCA
- Newton Athletic Booster Club, $200 to the JCJH softball program
The board also approved Kayla Kocher as a volunteer coach for NCHS softball for the 2026-2027 season.
Energy Transition Grant and Property Taxes Discussed
During the superintendent’s report, Mr. Sornberger provided an overview of the Energy Transition Grant, which supports economic development and helps offset job and tax revenue losses for local government units located within 30 miles of a closed or closing fossil fuel plant, nuclear plant or coal mine.
The program provides support during a six-year transition period. The district continues to await the release of the 2026 Energy Transition Grant. Funding from the 2025 grant is currently being used to cover a portion of the Newton Elementary School addition.
The board also received an overview of the property tax cycle, including the steps involved in the process and how they affect the district’s upcoming tax levy.
Board Approves School Improvement Measures
The board approved appointing Mandy Rieman as the district’s delegate to the Joint Annual Conference.
Members also approved seeking Health Life Safety work for the NCHS south window project and authorized the superintendent to apply for the State Maintenance Grant.
Personnel Changes Approved
The board accepted the resignation of Brad Harris as assistant NCHS baseball coach, effective immediately. The district will post the position for the 2026-2027 school year.
Caelyn Kasinger was approved as the NCHS art teacher for the 2026-2027 school year.
The board also approved the following individuals for the after-school tutoring program at Newton Elementary School:
- Sarah Coffin
- Emma Dilley
- Kylee Frichtl
- Kaci Goforth
- Taylor Gray
- Sidney Mayberry
- Dawn Meinhart
- Sydney Thoele
In addition, the board approved posting a Newton Elementary School teaching position to begin in January 2027 and a district paraprofessional position for the 2026-2027 school year.
No closed session was held.
The meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the Board of Education Office, located at 1401 Clayton Avenue in Newton.
