NJSP Elementary Honored for Exemplary Rating

Posted on Author WKVI
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.

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North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Explains School Delay Procedure

Posted on Author WKVI

North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson
The 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.

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“A Year of Health in Starke County” Proclamation Signed by North Judson Town Board

Posted on Author WKVI
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.

North Judson Town Board Approves Two Ordinances on First, Second Readings

Posted on Author WKVI

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.

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North Judson Residents Encouraged to Run Water Taps During Cold Temperatures

Posted on Author WKVI

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.

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North Judson-San Pierre School Superintendent Discusses Leadership Conference

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre High School

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.

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North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Discusses State Grades

Posted on Author WKVI
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.

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NJSP Continues to Strive for AdvancED Accreditation

Posted on Author WKVI
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.

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NJSP Continues to Strive for AdvancED Accreditation

Posted on Author WKVI
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 →

North Judson Town Council Praised for Norwayne Field Lights

Posted on Author WKVI

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.

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North Judson Town Board Swears In Two New Members

Posted on Author WKVI
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.

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North Judson Police Department Responded to Nearly 4000 Calls in 2012

Posted on Author WKVI
Doug Vessely
North Judson Town Marshal Doug Vessely

The North Judson Police Department responded to 3,899 calls in 2012.

Town Marshal Doug Vessely reported year-end statistics that showed 850 citizen assist and house check calls, 717 traffic stops, 27 battery reports, 12 Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated reports, 7 burglary/robbery reports, 69 thefts/conversion reports, 15 alcohol/drug reports and 22 mischief/vandalism reports.

North Judson Officers made 107 adult arrests, wrote 136 ordinance violation tickets and issued 467 traffic warnings in 2012.

New North Judson Town Board Members Soon To Be Sworn In

Posted on Author WKVI

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.

North Judson Town Council Approves End-Of-Year Transfers

Posted on Author WKVI

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.

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North Judson Town Board Encumbers Funds For Next Year

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson Town Board is looking to the future as they approved a resolution to encumber some money from their paving funds over into the 2013 budget.

Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained that in order to save money from a 2012 fund to be used in 2013, the board must encumber the funds, which requires the board to have a proposal and a contract with the vendor. The vendor must guarantee that the price will be the same when the time comes to perform the service, usually in the spring.

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North Judson Town Board Approves Several Purchases

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson Town Board approved a number of purchase orders for new equipment for the utility department. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained the board approved purchases to replace worn-out tools and other equipment, and they approved the purchase of a set of heavy-duty backhoe forks. Henry said the forks can be mounted on the front bucket of the backhoe to allow it to lift items, making it easy to unload pipes, fire hydrants, or other heavy items that may need hauled.

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North Judson-San Pierre School Board Approves Bids

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board this week approved a number of bids during their regular board meeting. Superintendent Lynn Johnson said the board approved bids on two replacement buses, as well as the tax anticipation bids.

Johnson explained the school is on a 12-year replacement cycle for buses, so the school is regularly looking at replacing the vehicles. This year, she said the school had two buses that needed to be replaced as per the rotation, and the board requested several bids from a number of companies.

The tax anticipation bid was required because the school is still financing their gymnasium and fine arts auditorium which was built approximately 13 years ago. She said the school is still financing those new additions until 2017, but once that debt is resolved, she said the corporation will be better equipped to look into additional improvements.

North Judson-San Pierre Schools Utilizing School Messenger Program

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

While Knox Community Schools are gearing up to implement the new School Messenger system, North Judson-San Pierre Schools Superintendent Lynn Johnson said their school has already made use of the program.

Johnson said the program allows the school to stay in contact with parents and inform them of anything going on with the school.

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