On April 6, 2021, three seats for the PORTA Board of Education will be open for election. During this election four candidates are running for those three (3) seats. Incumbants are Jeff Smith and Jeremy Garner and new candidates are Jackie Brant and Tracy Thornton. We would like to share biographical information on the candidates and invite everyone to attend a "Meet the Candidate Night" on March 24th beginning at 7:00 PM and ending at 8:30 PM. During the "Meet the Candidat" event candidates will have an opportunity to share the reasons they are running for the Board of Education and will take questions during the Q and A session. We look forward to everyone attending our event on March 24th at 7:00 PM in the HS Auditorium.
Jackie Brant was born in Paris, IL and spent her childhood between there and locations in California, Connecticut, and the Chicago suburbs. She ultimately returned to Paris as a young adult and called it home until she, and her family, moved to Petersburg in 2013. During her life, Jackie’s career has been focused on helping others, with roles in customer service, healthcare and, recently, work in the public school system. She is married to Joshua Brant, Cyber Security Strategist at LRS in Springfield, IL. Together, they have five children in the PORTA school district: Jacob, a junior, Johnnie, a 7th grader, twins Jillian and Joseline, Kindergarteners, and Joshua Jr. (JD), a preschooler.
After arriving in 2013, Jackie quickly acclimated to Petersburg and became involved in multiple organizations and activities. She obtained her paraprofessional license and joined the PORTA school district as an individual aide just a few months after moving to town. She left that position in 2014 to be a stay-at-home mom after her twins were born. In 2019, she returned to the district as a substitute teacher. In addition to her duties as a mom and working within the school district, Jackie also has a home baking business, Morning Glory Cakes, where she specializes in custom baked goods.
Jackie has volunteered in local VBS programs, summer lunch activities and children’s programs, and was a GROW mentor for several years through the Petersburg Church of Christ. She has been a member of the Town and Country Women’s Club since 2014 where she has participated in numerous volunteer opportunities, fundraisers, and community events.
Message from the candidate:
As a mother of five children in the PORTA district, as well as a past employee, I am deeply committed to the success of our school system. I bring a unique perspective to the board, having worked within the classroom for several years and having fostered numerous relationships with past and present staff members. I plan to use my position on the school board to continue my pursuit of helping others and to be an advocate for those within our school community.
After arriving in 2013, Jackie quickly acclimated to Petersburg and became involved in multiple organizations and activities. She obtained her paraprofessional license and joined the PORTA school district as an individual aide just a few months after moving to town. She left that position in 2014 to be a stay-at-home mom after her twins were born. In 2019, she returned to the district as a substitute teacher. In addition to her duties as a mom and working within the school district, Jackie also has a home baking business, Morning Glory Cakes, where she specializes in custom baked goods.
Jackie has volunteered in local VBS programs, summer lunch activities and children’s programs, and was a GROW mentor for several years through the Petersburg Church of Christ. She has been a member of the Town and Country Women’s Club since 2014 where she has participated in numerous volunteer opportunities, fundraisers, and community events.
Message from the candidate:
As a mother of five children in the PORTA district, as well as a past employee, I am deeply committed to the success of our school system. I bring a unique perspective to the board, having worked within the classroom for several years and having fostered numerous relationships with past and present staff members. I plan to use my position on the school board to continue my pursuit of helping others and to be an advocate for those within our school community.
 | Jeremy Garner has been a resident of the PORTA District for six years. He is married to Mrs. Garner, a Kindergarten teacher at Petersburg Elementary. He has two children Sierra, a Senior and Westin a 3rd Grade student at PORTA. Jeremy is a graduate of A-C Central and majored in secondary education at Illinois College. He has worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections for the past 23 years. He was on the A-C Central board of Education for 7 years. Jeremy has been a member of the PORTA Board of Education the last two years. "I believe I have the experience needed to be an asset for the PORTA Board of Education. Prior to moving to Petersburg, I was on the A-C Board for seven years. During those years, we had to make changes to education and come up with several cost cutting solutions to deal with lack of payments from State funding. I feel during that time we made smart decisions that kept education at the highest level possible with less funding. The past two years as a member of the PORTA Board we have made several strides to improve the education of the students while doing major upgrades needed on PORTA Facilities, all while keeping the cost to tax payers at a minimum. We have also dealt with the unprecedented pandemic during this past year. While dealing with Covid we have maintained the best possible education levels for the students while following the strict mandates on our education system. I feel we have been the leaders in Central Illinois and set a standard of education throughout this pandemic. I have been a firm believer that if at all possible kids need to be in the classroom with the teachers to learn what is essential for them and to protect them from the mental and emotional strain brought on by Covid." |
Jeff Smith was born and raised in Petersburg, IL and has continued to live here with his wife, Tracy. He graduated from PORTA High School in 1989 and from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana in 1992. After graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Agricultural Economics, Jeff worked as a substitute teacher while continuing his career in the agricultural field. Now, Jeff farms full time with his father on the family farm west of Petersburg. Jeff has one son, Luke, who is currently a freshman at Illinois State University and two step-daughters, Carly and Avery who attend school in the PORTA school district. Jeff has volunteered to coach many youth sports, including baseball, basketball, and soccer. He has served as the treasurer of the Menard County Soil and Water Board. Jeff is currently the Vice-President of the PORTA School Board and also on the Menard County Farm Service Agency County Office Committee.
Message from the candidate-
While serving in the Porta school board the last six years, I don’t think there has ever been a year as challenging as they year 2020. I hope to continue to serve the community in providing our students with the best education possible with safety of our students and faculty at hand, all while trying to keep the taxpayers interest in mind.
I understand these challenges and I’m dedicated to the people within the PORTA school district.
Message from the candidate-
While serving in the Porta school board the last six years, I don’t think there has ever been a year as challenging as they year 2020. I hope to continue to serve the community in providing our students with the best education possible with safety of our students and faculty at hand, all while trying to keep the taxpayers interest in mind.
I understand these challenges and I’m dedicated to the people within the PORTA school district.
Tracy Thornton
Hello, my name is Tracy Thornton and I’m honored for the opportunity to be a candidate for the PORTA School Board. I have lived in Petersburg since 2000, owned and operated Styles N More with my wife Amy since 2003, and our son Billy attends school here at PORTA. I have been an active volunteer or sponsor of many local youth sports leagues, and organizations. I formerly served on the Central Illinois Workforce Investment Board which focuses on real world job training for displaced workers and currently serve on the Menard County Board of Review. As a business owner and father, I believe that I can be a valuable addition to our school board and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve this community.