The North Judson Town Board last week received an update on the bids for town cemetery mowing services, and Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained the board approved a motion to advertise for bids in local papers with a deadline of Feb. 18.
Henry said the bids must be sealed and submitted as per the specs in the advertisement. The board will review bids at their meeting on Feb. 18, but she said the board may not award the bid that night; rather, the board may want to review the contracts further before making a decision.
A Financial Aid Night is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 11 at the North Judson-San Pierre High School.
A college rep will be present to discuss the financial aid process. Parents will be able to go through the process of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form that must be done online. The deadline to submit the FAFSA form is Sunday, March 10.
This informational session will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT in the North Judson-San Pierre High School Library. Guidance Director Colleen McCarty can help answer any questions about the session. Call her at (574) 896-2158 ext. 225.
The North Judson Town Board this week adopted two ordinances that have been on their agenda for several months. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained the town performed the third and final readings of their new cemetery rules and regulations ordinance, as well as the animal ordinance regulating domestic animals within the town.
A Hunter Education Class is being offered Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23 and 24, at the Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Headquarters on Toto Road in North Judson.
The course is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT and there is no fee for the course. Attendance is mandatory for both days and children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. You are encouraged to bring a sack lunch.
An Indiana Hunter Education Certification will be given to all participants who are successful in completing the course. This certification is required for any hunters born after Dec. 31, 1986.
For more information, call (219) 879-5710. Preregister by logging onto www.indianahuntereducation.com
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson
The North Judson-San Pierre Elementary School was recently recognized in honor of their “A” rating for the second consecutive year. The school has received exemplary ratings since 2010, and on Monday, Jan. 28, Superintendent Lynn Johnson surprised the staff at their monthly meeting with a plaque and refreshments to honor their hard work.
Principal Michael McBride accepted the plaque on behalf of the staff and students and attributed the spectacular effort done by the school since 2000, when Public Law 221 was passed in Indiana, requiring ongoing school improvement planning based on data.
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn JohnsonThe process in which school officials use to determine a school delay or cancellation is not an easy one. That’s according to North Judson-San Pierre School Superintendent Lynn Johnson who explains her corporation’s procedure.
“We cover 138 square miles and we have contact points in each of the four quadrants the school district covers. They report back to our director of transportation, who is Julie Soplanda. Julie calls me and then I make the decision on the delay,” said Superintendent Johnson.
Joan Haugh, Donna Henry, Jane Eleen Felchuk, Standing: Justin Davis, Josh Brown, Nancy Dembowski, Ted Hayes, Wendy Hoppe, Tim Cummins.
The North Judson Town Board recently signed a proclamation declaring 2013 “A Year of Health in Starke County.”
Nancy Dembowski, Joan Haugh and Ted Hayes, who are part of the Moving Starke County Forward organization, brought the proclamation to the attention of the board members and emphasized the need for Starke County to improve the health of its citizens.
The committee members informed the board that the organization was formed after learning that Starke County ranked 91st out of 92 counties in issues affecting health. Health issues permeate throughout quality of life issues such as economic development, education, levels of drug use and many other socio-economic factors.
The Town Board voted unanimously to declare the proclamation and offer support for the group. The board was invited to a forum on Thursday, Feb. 21 at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox from 4:30-6 p.m. CT. The committee is looking for input on goals and suggestions to help Starke County be a healthier county.
The criminal case against former North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Connie Miller has gone to the attorneys for negotiation, according to Wendy Hoppe, town council president. Hoppe told the town council this week that the next meeting between the attorneys will take place on Feb. 21 in South Bend.
Two ordinances in the town of North Judson underwent their first and second readings by the town board this week and are slated for their third and final readings at the board meeting on Feb. 4. North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained the cemetery rules and regulations ordinance and the animal ordinance were approved on their first readings.
With the bitter cold temperatures in the Kankakee Valley, North Judson residents are strongly encouraged to leave their water taps running just a little bit. North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained that Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann told the board at their meeting this week that because of the very cold temperatures and the lack of snow on the ground, the pipes are particularly vulnerable to freezing.
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation recently held an all-day conference with the Leadership Starke County organization, and the board reviewed a summary of the day’s events at their meeting this week.
Leadership Starke County is a nine-month training program to provide citizens with local knowledge of the Starke County area, skills, network, and confidence to become a leader in the community. Each of the nine sessions in the program focuses on topics related to the county, and allows participants to learn what “out of the box” thinking has done for Starke County and what they can do to improve it.
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation may have gotten a decent grade from the state, but Superintendent Lynn Johnson said they’re not quite satisfied. The corporation as a whole received a B grade from the state, while the elementary school received an A, the middle school a B, and the high school a C. On top of that, Johnson said the school received value added for growth in language arts and math, and while it was a good report card, she feels the model still needs work.
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation continues to work toward AdvancED accreditation, and Superintendent Lynn Johnson explained the school board recently heard an update on the progress.
Johnson explained that at every board meeting, she presents one of the five standards for AdvancED accreditation; this time, she presented the Teaching and Assessing standard. According to the AdvancED website, the Standards for Quality mark an evolution in continuous improvement and accreditation, and they also emphasize teaching and learning and address students’ ability to successfully develop learning, thinking, and life skills as critical elements of student achievement.
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation continues to work toward AdvancED accreditation, and Superintendent Lynn Johnson explained the school board recently heard an update on the progress. Johnson explained that at every board meeting, she presents one of the five standards for AdvancED accreditation; this time, she presented the Teaching and Assessing standard.
According to the AdvancED website, the Standards for Quality mark an evolution in continuous improvement and accreditation, and they also emphasize teaching and learning and address students’ ability to successfully develop learning, thinking, and life skills as critical elements of student achievement. Continue reading →
Two ordinances are still in the works for the town of North Judson, but according to Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, those ordinances will likely be in place within the next month or two. One ordinance pertains to changes to the cemetery rules and regulations while the second regulates domestic and farm animals within the town.
Starke County Commissioner Jennifer Davis attended the most recent meeting of the North Judson Town Council to express, on behalf of the commissioners, their thanks to the North Judson Park Board, Council, and anyone else that had anything to do with the Christmas light display at Norwayne Field. Davis said the lights were spectacular and a fine representation of the community and Starke County.
Newly installed North Judson Town Board members Josh Brown and Justin Davis
The North Judson Town Board swore in their two new members, Josh Brown and Justin Davis, who are now filling the seats created during the general election. A public question presented to voters in North Judson on Nov. 6 asked whether or not the town board should be expanded to five members, and the overwhelming majority gave it their approval. Now, the two youngest board members are taking their seats on the newly-expanded board.
The two new members to the North Judson Town Board will soon take their seats, as Judge Charles Hasnerl swears them in before the board’s regular meeting on Jan. 7. Josh Brown and Justin Davis will then assume their new responsibilities as the youngest members on the board.
The public question presented to voters in North Judson during the general election on Nov. 6, 2012 was approved by more than 78 percent. Only 129 voters said no to the question of whether or not the town board should be increased to five members, while 480 voters voted in favor of the change.
She said the board members used a scientific grid format to rate each candidate before deciding on these two well-qualified men, and said the council is excited to work with them. Henry said she’s excited to know that there are younger taxpayers and community members who are willing to serve and bring a fresh perspective to things.
The North Judson Town Council met Monday morning for a very short agenda. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained the council met to review two resolutions concerning fund transfers that needed to be addressed before the end of the year.
Henry said some of the funds transferred within the general fund totaled $7900.32, and $2348.21 within the Motor Vehicle Highway fund. The council also made a number of transfers within the Parks Fund totaling $2662.97.
The North Judson Town Board last week received an update on the bids for town cemetery mowing services, and Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained the board approved a motion to advertise for bids in local papers with a deadline of Feb. 18.
