The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will announce tonight what process they might favor in terms of transitioning from an appointed to an elected board. Members conducted a work session last month with representatives of the Bluejay Nation Pride group and their attorney to discuss the process. Elected school board advocate Matt Bailey says that group is prepared to move forward next month with the necessary petition to bring the question to the voters if the school board does not act.
Such a petition must contain a specific plan and structure to elect a school board, including whether it would consist of three, five or seven members and how districts would be drawn to ensure fair representation based on population.
Tonight’s regular monthly N.J.-S.P. School Board meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium in order to accommodate a larger audience than the central office board room will hold.
The board will also clarify tonight that the move of the elementary school to 950 Campbell Drive at the end of this school year is only an option. Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin says officials want to keep all of their options open.
Other agenda items include setting adult school meal prices, an addendum to the bus driver manual, approval to advertise the 2017 capital projects and bus replacement plans and authorization to submit the proposed 2017 budget to the Starke County Council.
The school board will also make an appointment to the North Judson-Wayne Township Public Library board and approve 2016-17 adult swim, open swim and swim lessons.
