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 by virtual zoom/or in
person due to COVID 19, on Monday, July 20, 2020. Board members present were Mr. Gordon Millsap,
Mr. Jon Fulton, Mrs. Holly Farley, Mrs. Mandy Rieman, Mrs. Mindy Street, Mr. Bill Meinhart and, Mr.
Jason Kuhl. Members absent: None.
All votes are considered unanimous unless otherwise noted.
Gordon Millsap called the meeting to order.
Gordon provided instructions on how to comment or provide questions for the upcoming Item IV
Recognition of Guests and Public Comments, guests may submit questions or statements to be read
aloud during this time by utilizing the chat button on the zoom meeting.
Agenda was adopted.
Under Superintendent’s report, Mr. Johnson introduced Katy Conder/Newton Elementary Assistant
Principal/Director of Social Services and Sherry Slankard/School Counselor. They gave an update on the
social emotional plan for the upcoming school year.
Mrs. Probst informed the board of Mt. Carmel requesting to join the Little Illini Conference since Flora
are moving to the Black Diamond Conference.
Gordon asked for guests and public comments. Mitch Bierman spoke on behalf of Josie Angel regarding
a ban on confederate flags in the schools.
Approval of the consent agenda:
Regular and closed session minutes from June 15, 2020,
Bills and Payroll,
Presentment of monthly financial reports,
Destruction of closed session recording for May 17, 2018,
Weston Tharp as a volunteer at JCJH to help with the baseball team starting with the 2020-2021 season,
Marc Jansen as a volunteer at JCJH to help with the baseball team starting with the 2020-2021 season,
Donation to Newton Elementary of $2,500 from the Maxine E. Spitler Foundation, the funds will provide
students in grades K-3 free books throughout the school year through the R.E.A.D. (Reading Excites All
Dreams) program for books to be provided to students in grades K-3.
Donation to 5 th grade at Newton Elementary has been given $938.15 from the Maxine E. Spitler
Foundation for Owl Pellets, STEM Kits, Forensic Science Kits and Lab Supplies,
Embarras River Basin Agency Head Start collaborative agreement for the 2020-2021 school year,
District handbooks for 2020-2021.
Approval of Administrator Katy Conder’s revised contract for a 12 month position as Newton Elementary
Assistant Principal/District Social Worker and Jennifer Bales revised contract to include Pre-K
Administrator.
Approval of DRAT recommendation for upcoming school year 2020-2021 as in person education. A
special meeting will be held Monday, July 27, 2020 at 6pm in the Board of Education office regarding
remote learning.
Approval of Securly renewal, Renaissance Star 360 renewal, Discovery Streaming renewal and
Screencastify subscription purchase.
Approval of the 2020-2021 school calendar adding November 3 as no attendance day for Election Day
and moving the start date up from August 12 to August 11 as a Teacher’s Institute, student’s first day
will be August 12.
Approval of 7 mini buses as surplus.
Approval of the resignations of Lauren Fowler as NCHS Counselor, Rebecca Holkenbrink as JCJH/NCHS
Counselor and Brenda Bergbower as bus driver all effective immediately.
Approval to transfer Sherry Slankard to the JCJH Counselor position from Newton Elementary, Amy
Casey from 5th Grade teacher to the SME/NE full time substitute teacher and Jeena Kinder and Vicki
Wermert from NE Title Teachers to classroom teachers at NE all starting the 2020-2021 school year.
Approval to hire Megan McClard as the full time substitute teacher at JCJH/NCHS, Samantha Herdes as
NE Teacher and Kathleen Carey as NCHS Counselor all starting the 2020-2021 school year.
Approve to hire Mindy Hartke as NCHS Yearbook Sponsor and Julia Parish as Freshman Class Sponsor
starting the 2020-2021 school year.
Approval to hire Kara Garner as SME part-time Principal to start July 21, 2020 as an 11 month position.
Approval to advertise for a half time nurse, paraprofessionals, 3 custodians and a part time title teacher.
The board went into executive session at 8:12pm 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 of lease of real property.
Approval to return to open session at 9:18pm.
Meeting adjourned at 9:19pm.
Next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 17, 2020 at 6:30pm at the Board Office.
