North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Addresses School Funding Rumors

N.J.-S.P. Superintendent Lynn Johnson asked supporters of the corporation to sign a banner after the school funding presentation as a show of solidarity.
N.J.-S.P. Superintendent Lynn Johnson asked supporters of the corporation to sign a banner after the school funding presentation as a show of solidarity.

North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation officials are eying a local property tax hike to cover operating expenses. A combination of state funding cuts and declining enrollment have cost the corporation a significant amount of money. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says they are not planning to consolidate.

“This is North Judson-San Pierre. It needs to stay North Judson-San Pierre. We’re not going to be absorbed into Knox. That is not true,” Johnson said. Continue reading

N.J.-S.P. Business Manager Outlines Financial Challenges

North Judson-San Pierre Admin buildingA combination of steady declines in enrollment, changes in public education funding and additional unfunded mandates are taking a toll on the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation. Business manager Guy Richie says the state changed the way public schools are funded in 2008. Instead of basing funds on local property taxes, money now follows the child.

That means when children move away, so does the tuition support. Richie says it’s never in such a way though that the corporation can eliminate one staff member and make up the difference. Instead the enrollment declines are scattered, which makes cutting expenses more challenging. Continue reading