North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin recently informed school board members that the school’s existing debt is about to drop significantly in 2019. First covered during their work session on April 4th, Zupin reviewed the matter during last Tuesday’s school board meeting.
She said in order to maintain the school’s current rate, additional debt has to be taken on.
She explained, “The debt service fund is for annual debt obligations and really is helpful for schools because it’s a way for us to maintain our school facilities, buy some equipment and make sure that we have what our students need.”
Dr. Zupin is proposing taking out a general obligation bond worth $1.1 million that would be paid off over the next 3 years starting in 2019. She reiterated that the school’s tax rate would remain unchanged and added that general obligation bonds are easier to issue, buy and sell than lease rental bonds.
The superintendent said that some proposed purchases include updated surveillance equipment for the elementary school as well as some technology upgrades.
Zupin told board members, “What I would like to do is purchase 360 MacBook Airs. That would be 12 carts of 30, 6 in each building, that way each grade level has access to them,” She went on, “and 60 iPads, 2 carts of 30 for our kindergarten and first grade because those are easier from them to use.”
According to Superintendent Zupin, the total estimated cost for the technology and security upgrades would be around $400,000. She said that leaves more than half a million dollars from the bond issuance that could be set aside for potential projects or needed repairs that may pop up down the line.
No official actions were taken last Tuesday but a bond resolution will be considered during the board’s next meeting on May 15th.
