Thank you to Beth Probst for taking a picture for us!
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, April 26,
2021. Board members present were Mr. Gordon Millsap, Mrs. Mandy Rieman, Mrs. Holly Farley, Mr. Bill
Meinhart and Mr. Jason Kuhl. Members absent: Mrs. Mindy Street and Mr. Jon Fulton.
All votes are considered unanimous unless otherwise noted.
Gordon Millsap called the meeting to order.
Agenda was amended to reflect adding items A, B, C in VI for the purpose of voting these items
separately. Holly Farley voted no.
Under the Superintendent’s report:
Bill Meinhart spoke on Board Goal Setting/Superintendent Goal Setting, possibly meeting with Atlantic
Research on a Saturday, this has been tabled until May. This process is needed to meet the request of
the ISBE school improvement requirements from our designation in 2018-2019 at our Junior High
School.
Thursday, May 6 at 6pm is the IASB Wabash Valley Virtual Governing Board Meeting, let Janet know by
Friday if you want to be registered.
Mr. Johnson presented a power point on the district’s bus rotation program and sought next step advice
on bidding another year. Bids will be sought for 7 – 71 passenger buses and 1 wheelchair bus. This will
put the district in a position to have 28 – 71 passenger buses and 5 wheelchair accessible buses all under
5 years old under warranty and receiving depreciation value from the state yearly. In 2015-2016 we had
53 buses in the fleet and our goal is to have 32-35 buses in the fleet within the next couple of years.
Mr. Johnson attended a TIF meeting recently and needed the boards thoughts on whether to support
the TIF amendment proposal. The board as a whole supports this endeavor.
Mrs. Probst informed the board of High School Graduation to be held on Saturday, May 15 at 7pm in the
gymnasium. There are 90 graduates and each graduate will receive 8 tickets.
Mrs. Guzman informed the board of different options regarding classroom needs at Newton Elementary
for 2021-2022. Concerns are enough space in order to have a library, PASS classroom and offer all
sections at each grade level that were offered the 2020-2021 school year. The board has been provided
a couple of options to meet this need: A mobile building for 2 classes temporarily, larger class sizes/less
rooms needed, or continue mobile library rather than a dedicated library space or build walls in the
maintenance room to facilitate a classroom.
Important dates:
May 13 – Last Day of Attendance for Pre-K
May 14 – Last Day of Attendance for Kindergarten
May 14, 17, 18 – Preschool Screenings and Kindergarten Pre-Registration
May 15 – NCHS Graduation – 7pm – Invite Only
May 18 – Last Day of Attendance for lst – 11 th grade students
May 19 and 20 – Remote Learning Plan Day for staff – No Student Attendance
May 21 – Teacher’s Institute
Recognition of Guests and Public Comments. Jerry L Jed Earnest had asked to speak, however he said
you can find his statement on EagleEyeonSchools.
Amy Tarr, Jasper County Clerk has canvassed the votes from the April 6, 2021 election and the following
have been elected:
Brady Shull
Holly Farley
Mandy Rieman
Jerry L Jed Earnest
VI. A. Approval of the resignation of School Board Member Jon Fulton effective immediately.
VI. B. Approval to waive board policy 2:70 posting requirements to fill the current vacancy for two years.
Jason Kuhl voted no.
VI C. Approval to appoint the second lowest vote-getter in the election (Gordon Millsap) to fill the
vacancy immediately upon expiration of his current elected term as Board Member. The superintendent
will need to notify the Regional Superintendent of such actions within 5 days. Gordon abstained from B
and C.
Oath of Office was recited by the 7 school board members.
Approval to adjourn Sine Die, which simply means the end of the old Board’s business before the new
Board begins.
Seating of the new board members and congratulations to all of you!
Approval to appoint Gordon Millsap as President Pro-Tem.
Approval to appoint Janet Benefiel as Secretary Pro-Tem.
Approval of the nomination of Gordon Millsap for the Office of President.
Approval of the nomination of Mandy Rieman for the Office of Vice President. Mandy Rieman abstained.
Approval of the nomination of Holly Farley for the Office of Secretary. Holly Farley abstained.
Approval of the nomination of Misty Heath for the Office of Treasurer.
Approval of the nomination of Janet Benefiel for the Office of Recording Secretary.
Approval to set the time and place for regular meetings. This will stay the same being on the third
Monday of each month at 6:30pm at the Board of Education office.
There were two FOIA requests for the month. One from ILHLWD and one from Jerry L Jed Earnest.
Approval of the consent agenda:
Regular and closed session minutes for March 15, 2021 and March 23 Special meeting,
Bills and Payroll,
Presentment of monthly financial reports,
Destruction of closed session recording for February 21, 2019,
Donation from an anonymous donation:
$2,000 to NCHS Baseball
$2,000 to NCHS Softball
$2,000 to NCHS Boys Basketball
$2,000 to NCHS Girls Basketball
$2,000 to NCHS Scholastic Bowl
$2,000 to NCHS Volleyball
$4,000 to NCHS Cross Country
$2,000 to NCHS Band
$2,000 to NCHS Academic Foundation
Mr. Finley and the NCHS Theatre Department was awarded the Broadway Media grant for the upcoming
production of White Christmas. This grant includes $750 towards projection hardware and $400 for
digital scenery, a total grant amount of $1,150,
$200 to NCHS Chorus from the City of Newton,
$297.50 to NCHS Athletic Donations from Athletic Boosters for baseball pants,
$100 to JCJH Student Council from the City of Newton,
$150 to JCJH Science Classroom from the City of Newton,
Declare 40 costumes from the 2020-2021 NCHS Musical as Surplus.
Approval of the Consolidated District Plan for 2021-2022. This is a report that is sent to the Illinois State
Board of Education describing our IDEA, Title and other services as requested by Federal Government.
This is an annual process for Title funds.
Approval of the Food Service Renewal Contract with OPAA for the 2021-2022 school year. This will be
year number 3 with OPAA and we are hoping for a normal year since we have not had one yet due to
COVID.
Approval of IESA Membership for the 2021-2022 school year. This includes the dues and fees for our
Junior High Athletic Programs and our Newton Elementary programs. This is an annual renewal. Fees
will likely increase due to the effects of COVID.
Approval of the 2021-2022 School Calendar with a Teachers Institute on Wednesday, August 11 and first
day of student attendance on Thursday, August 12.
Approval of the IHSA renewal for the 2021-2022 school term. This is an annual renewal but the fees
have increased due to the effects from COVID.
Approval of a new job description for Fleet Supervisor/Mechanic position. Intent of the district is to
consolidate two positions into one for a transportation cost savings.
Approval of a 3% increase in pay for all non-certificated employees beginning July 1, 2021 for the 2021-
2022 school year. Historical increases for the non-certs:
2011-12 1.8%
2012-13 1.8% + $300
2013-14 1.8%
2014-15 .9% effective 1/3/2015
2015-16 1.8%
2016-17 1.9%
2017-18 1.9%
2018-19 1.9%
2019-20 1.9%
2020-21 1.9%
2021-22 3%
Tabled the contract with Atlantic Research for Board Strategic Planning. The planning process being
considered is a 6 hour goal setting meeting and follow up with the presenter.
Approval of the resignation of Kyle Klier as JCJH Baseball Coach and Scholastic Bowl Coach effective at
the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
Approval of the resignation of Sarah Will as the NCHS Beta Club Sponsor effective at the end of the
2020—2021 school year.
Approval of the resignation of Kelly Althoff as a 5 th Grade Teacher at Newton Elementary effective
immediately.
Approval of the resignation of Mary Burtch as a Newton Elementary Paraprofessional effective at the
end of the 2020-2021 school year.
Approval of the resignation of Chris Parr as Transportation/Building and Grounds Director effective June
30, 2021.
Approval of the resignation of Taylor Schmidt as custodian at Newton Elementary effective April 2, 2021.
Approval of a leave of absence for Alexandria Boggs, 4 th grade teacher at Newton Elementary from
August 11, 2021 and return September 7, 2021.
Approval to transfer Debra Weiler from JCJH ELA to JCJH Math teacher starting with the 2021-2022
school year.
Approval to transfer Stephanie Klingler from Newton Elementary 3 rd grade teacher to Newton
Elementary 6 th grade teacher starting with the 2021-2022 school year.
Approval to transfer Michelle Johnson from Newton Elementary Special Education teacher to Ste. Marie
Elementary Special Education teacher to start with the 2021-2022 school year.
Approval to transfer Anne Ochs from Special Education at JCJH, SME, St. Thomas, Op Ed to Full Time
Cross Cat JCJH/St. Thomas Special Education teacher to start with the 2021-2022 school year.
Approval to transfer Mary Jo Bushur from JCJH Special Education teacher to Newton Elementary Special
Education teacher to start with the 2021-2022 school year.
Approval to hire Alyssa Klukis as a JCJH ELA Teacher to start with the 2021-2022 school year.
Approval to hire Nichole Lidy as a JCJH Special Education Teacher to start with the 2021-2022 school
year.
Approval to hire Samantha Will as a Newton Elementary 6 th grade Teacher to start with the 2021-2022
school year.
Approval to rehire Amy Casey as the fulltime sub at Newton Elementary/Ste. Marie Elementary for the
2021-2022 school year.
Approval to rehire Mikkel Andrews to continue teaching at Newton Elementary 3 rd grade Teacher for the
2021-2022 school year.
Approval to hire Julia Parish as the NCHS head cheerleading coach to start with the 2021-2022 school
year.
Approval to advertise the following positions:
Elementary Teacher to start with the 2021-2022 school year
Special Education Teacher to start with the 2021-2022 school year
Part Time Business Education Teacher at NCHS to start with the 2021-2022 school year
2 Summer Bridge Teachers for NE (Month of June – Grades 1 – 2)
3 Summer Bridge Teachers for NE (Month of June – Grades 3 – 6)
1 Summer Bridge Teacher for JCJH
1 Summer School Teacher for NCHS
4 Jump Start Program Teachers (Approximately 2 weeks before school starts in August – Grades 1-6) –
New program this year
1 Jump Start Program Paraprofessional (Approximately 2 weeks before school starts in August – Grades
1-6) – New program this year
Assistant Maintenance Position
NCHS Beta Club Sponsor to start with the 2021-2022 school year
SME Kindergarten Teacher to start with the 2021-2022 school year
Transportation Director/Buildings and Grounds to start July 1, 2021
Anticipated Fleet Supervisor/Mechanic to start July 1, 2021
Re-advertise the JCJH/NCHS Full time substitute teacher position to start with the 2021-2022 school
year.
The board went into executive session at 9:22pm for 5 ILCS 120/2 ( c ) ( 1 ) – To consider information
Regarding Appointment, Employment or Dismissal of Individual Employees and 5 ILCS 120/2/ ( c ) (5)
Purchase or lease of real property.
Approval to return to open session at 10:05pm.
Meeting adjourned at 10:10pm. Next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 17, 2021 at 6:30pm
at the Board Office.
