North Judson-San Pierre families who’ve fallen behind on school fees have had some of their debt removed. The school board recently accepted a $2,000 donation from the Starke County Community Foundation’s Verhagen Family Fund.
Corporation Treasurer Dalton Tunis said there’s currently a total of $18,000 to $20,000 in outstanding debt between the two schools. “Thankfully, we’ve received a donation to pay on some of our unpaid debt at North Judson schools here, book rent fees et cetera,” he told the board. “The donation came from the Verhagen family, and they are here today to present.”
It’s not the first time the Starke County Community Foundation’s donors have tackled student debt. Oregon-Davis families had their dept wiped away entirely this past spring, thanks to $25,000 from the Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund.
Meanwhile, the Our Kids Excel Fund that the Verhagens established in 2019 specifically to aid North Judson-San Pierre students continues to grow. The family plans to ramp up marketing and fundraising efforts. They hope to have a drive-through pork chop sandwich dinner before a football game this fall.
N.J.-S.P. Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin thanked the Verhagens for their support. “You want to give back to North Judson-San Pierre, not just Starke County,” she said. “They specifically want to help our students, so thank you.”
Zupin also noted the family’s involvement in other projects throughout the community.
