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, March 17th, 2025 in the office of the Board of Education. Board members present were Mr. Brady Shull, Mr. David Blecha, Mrs. Jackie Schackmann, Mrs. Mandy Rieman, Mrs. Holly Farley and Mrs. Mandi Utley. Board members absent were none.
All votes are considered unanimous unless otherwise noted.
Mandy Rieman called the meeting to order.
Approval to Adopt the Agenda.
The Jasper County Board of Education and Peoples State Bank recognized the Newton Community High School Illinois State Scholars. Brett Lesley, from Peoples State Bank, awarded all scholars with a silver eagle coin. Scholars awarded were: Ian Bower, Wesley Britton, Caydon Goode, Sydney Kinder, Paige Klinger, Avery Mulvey, Mallory Ochs, Ella Radke, Charlotte Schackmann, Alisson Stanley, Isaac Street and Olivia Zumbahlen.
There was one FOIA request from Allium Data requesting public records that focus on current property and casualty insurance policies including premium, or a summary document that includes coverage, carrier, limits, deductibles and premium.
Nichole Mulvey was seated as a new board member after replacing the seat of Bill Meinhart. The term will run until Spring of 2027.
Approval of Consent Agenda as presented.
Regular Minutes from February 18th, 2025,
Special and Closed Minutes from March 10th, 2025,
Bills and Payroll,
Presentment of monthly financial reports,
$500 from the Peoples State Bank to the NCHS Boys Basketball Team,
$525 from the Newton Athletic Boosters to NCHS Chorus for popcorn night,
$295 from the Newton Athletic Boosters to Athletic Donations for baseball pants,
$308 from the Newton Athletic Boosters to Athletic Donations for tennis balls,
$510 from the Newton Athletic Boosters to Athletic Donations for softball pants,
$50 from Jasper County Farm Bureau to the NCHS FFA Chapter,
$100 from EVAPCO to the NCHS FFA Chapter,
$100 from Sloan Implement Co. to the NCHS FFA Chapter,
$100 from Wabash Valley FS to the NCHS FFA Chapter,
$100 from Newton Animal Health to the NCHS FFA Chapter,
$199.50 from the Athletic Boosters to Athletic Donations for weight clamps,
$100 from Brad Horner to the NCHS FFA Chapter,
$100 from Tyler Campbell to the NCHS FFA Chapter,
$500 from Dieterich Bank for the Musical Hospitality Room Sponsor,
Custom glasses from Wolf Eye Care for the NCHS Musical,
Reeds, sticks and valve oil from the JCJH Band Aides for the Band,
Auditorium lighting from Apex Clean Energy Holdings, Embarras River Tourism Council and Jasper Unit 1 Music Boosters,
Time and Paint from Expert Collision Center for musical scaffolding,
$465 from the Newton Athletic Boosters for pole vaulting poles,
$200 Gift Card from New Hope to NES for student/teacher supplies,
Barbara Thompson as a Mentor for the JCCU#1 Mentoring Program,
Jennifer Britton as a Volunteer at NES,
Declare 3 student desks, 9 student chairs and 1 kidney bean table as surplus from Newton Elementary School.
Under the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Sornberger discussed the Illinois Legislative Report. The total state budget looks to be around $55.2 B in expenses and an estimate of $55.4 B in revenues. The education portion of the budget is around $25.6%. Evidence Based Funding will increase as it has in past years. While this is good news for schools throughout the state, the downside is that transportation funding will be prorated again this year. This means the District will bear more financial responsibility for transportation funding. The Jasper County School District is the largest landmass school in the State of Illinois.
Approval of the renewal of membership for the IHSA and IESA.
Approval of the 2025-2026 School Calendar, Option #3.
The proposed addition for Newton Elementary School was discussed. The goal is to have this addition built by the 2026-2027 school year. The addition will be placed on the east side of Newton Elementary School and will be for the Pre-K and Kindergarten students from Ste. Marie. The addition will include two preschool classrooms, six kindergarten classrooms, great room space, and rooms/offices for faculty and staff. This project will be paid for by a combination of the Energy Transition Grant, 1% Sales Tax and District reserves out of the Operation & Maintenance Funds. There will not be a bond referendum used to pay for this project.
Approval to enter executive session at 7:16 p.m. for 1.5ILCS 120/2 (c) (1) – To consider information regarding appointment, employment, compensation, performance or dismissal of individual employees.
Approval to return to open session at 8:33 p.m.
Approval to hire Steffanie Stark, Dawn Meinhart, Cynthia Griffith, Rachel Buening, Meredith Blake, Abby (Frohning) Jansen, Julia Whittler, Caddie Howard, Josie Meinhart, Gayle Glumac and Magela Snyder as members of the Strong Girls Program at NES and Kevin Colclasure, Collins Smith, Jordan Colclasure, Riley Britton, Paul Marchini, Matthew Scandrett and Travis Wyatt as members of the Strong Boys Program at NES.
Approval of the resignation from Jeremy French as the JCJH Cross Country Coach.
Approval of the resignation from Michelle Johnson as the SME Special Education Teacher effective May 27, 2025.
Approval of the resignation from Chelsea Cox as NES 2nd Grade Teacher at the end of the 2024-2025 School Year.
Approval of the resignation from Tera Ederer as a NES Paraprofessional at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
Approval to hire Jeremy French as the NCHS Golf Coach for the 2025-2026 school year.
Approval to post for a SME/NES Special Education Teacher for the 2025-2026 school year, a district paraprofessional position, a NES Elementary Teaching position and a JCJH Cross Country Coaching position.
Meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m. Next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 21st, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at the Board of Education Office located at 1401 Clayton Avenue.
