Jasper School Board Meets

Jasper school board members Monday heard that it cost the District just under $23,000 to hire legal help to address challenges to school board candidate nominating petitions.

The amount does not include additional fees incurred this month. 

The petition challenges were filed by candidates Andy Pullen and Jed Earnest against other candidates.  A review board denied the challenges.

The Jasper Board agreed to hold classes on Lincoln's Birthday and Casimir Pulaski Day next school year; and recognized 13 Illinois State Scholars from the Jasper District.  Recognition was also given Carly Niebrugge who was named an All-State Academic Winnner by the Illinois High School Association.

Board members discussed options to resurface the track at the high school building and to seek bids for the purchase of two school buses.  The Board purchased a mini-van from McClane Motors in Newton for just under $20,000; approved next year's school calendar; and agreed to eliminate the high school golf program with the understanding the District pays the IHSA fee for students to compete as individuals in post-season competition and in the conference tournament.

There was discussion of placing an Early Childhood Special Education classroom at Ste. Marie Elementary School, but no action, and discussion of developing a common schedule between the high school and the junior high school.

Jasper board members accepted the resignations of Elaine Menke as junior high cafeteria supervisor and study hall supervisor, Doug Mammoser as high school golf coach, Brad Harris as junior high baseball coach, and Tanya Howard as high school volleyball coach, and the retirements of Cynthia Goebel as a teacher as of the end of the 15-16 school year and of Greg Kepley as a school bus driver as of the end of this month.  There was no action on hiring a school nurse, but the Board approved Danielle Hundley, Maria Zumbahlen and Michelle Schafer as 5th and 6th grade volleyball coaches, and Wendy Dobbins as lunch and study hall supervisor at the junior high school.

The Board also upheld to the suspension of a student.