Residents of the North Judson-San Pierre School District can weigh in tonight on whether the school board should be elected or appointed. The corporation has scheduled a public meeting at 7 p.m. in the N.J.-S.P. High School auditorium for the sole purpose of seeking input on the topic.
Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin says a neutral moderator will facilitate the meeting so board members can listen intently to the comments and not be distracted by keeping time, calling on speakers or responding to comments. She says the moderator will help assure the meeting is productive and effective.
Each person who wishes to speak will sign up ahead of time on a clipboard at the auditorium entrance. Each speaker will have a maximum of three minutes to speak and may only speak once. At the conclusion of the public statements, the pro-appointed and pro-elected positions may each have a representative make a summary statement lasting no more than five minutes.
The school board is also gathering public opinions about whether the school board should be appointed or elected via online survey, available at N.J.-S.P. Community School Board Input Survey.
They will announce at their regularly scheduled Sept. 20 meeting whether they favor transitioning to an elected board or maintaining the appointed status quo. Should they opt for the latter, supporters of an elected board have advised they plan to proceed with a petition to bring the question to voters.
