Following their meeting Monday evening, the NJSP School Board held a work session to discuss the formation of a Political Action Committee. They considered various community members who could potentially be contacted to assist the school with the referendum process. The P.A.C would be responsible for making sure community members are registered to vote and spreading the word about the corporation and why the referendum is needed. Continue reading
N.J.-S.P. School Board Moves Forward With School Funding Referendum
Though the school board typically meets on the third Tuesday of every month, the North Judson-San Pierre Board of Trustees held a special school board meeting yesterday evening in which they considered and deliberated the need for a referendum tax levy to carry out their public education duty.
This means that in November the public will be asked to either confirm or deny the implementation of a property tax rate that will not exceed forty-seven and half cents on each one hundred dollars for the purpose of funding the general operations of the North Judson-San Pierre school corporation. This maximum rate will be reviewed annually during the seven calendar years immediately following the holding of the referendum. It will never exceed higher than this approved rate but could potentially be lowered based on revenue and expenditures. Continue reading
N.J.-S.P. School Board Reaffirms Support for Title 1 Program
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board this week reaffirmed support for the federal Title 1 program. It provides resources to schools with high percentages of students from low-income families to offer extra academic help. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says the corporation will be able to add more grant-funded assistance for students. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation Prepares for Referendum
Voters who live in the North Judson-San Pierre School District will be asked to consider a tax increase to support the corporation. The measure will be on the November General Election ballot. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre School Board Prepares for Upcoming Year
Summer vacation just started, but the North Judson-San Pierre School Board is already preparing for the coming year. Tonight’s school board agenda includes discussion of Title I participation, textbook fees and student handbooks for the 2015-16 school year. Continue reading
Town of North Judson Appoints New School Board Member
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will soon have a new member. Board members are appointed, and the North Judson Town Council recently interviewed three candidates for their seat. It is currently held by Marshal Reimbold. Continue reading
Summer School Classes Approved for North Judson-San Pierre Students
North Judson-San Pierre students can attend summer school classes that have been offered in the past, or they can take new classes.
Superintendent Lynn Johnson said summer school classes will be meet Monday through Thursday starting June 8th and continuing through June 25th.
North Judson-San Pierre School Board Bracing for More Funding Cuts
The state legislature hopes to give more funding for schools, but according to North Judson-San Pierre Schools Superintendent Lynn Johnson her corporation will still see a cut in funding.
She says the schools that are growing, or increasing in enrollment, will see an increase in funding. She explained to the North Judson-San Pierre School Board last night that the corporation’s enrollment is declining which means a cut in funding.
The House and Senate are still attempting to finalize a budget. The House has its school funding plan while the Senate plan differs in numbers. Either way, Johnson said, the school corporation will not see an increase in its budget.
Academic Decathlon Students to be Honored at NJSP School Board Meeting
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will be honoring seven students for their accomplishments in the recent Academic Decathlon.
The group finished fourth in the small school division. Nick Sierzputowski finished third overall in the individual competition while Jayden Ford had with the top Math score. The board members will take the time to recognize those students along with Tyler Lee, Suleman Khan, Jarrod Jones, Jacob Dessauer and Carrie Hileman for their efforts in the Academic Decathlon.
N.J.-S.P. Approves Board Policies
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
The North Judson-San Pierre School board approved board policies this week. Among the many policies in place, the school’s wellness policy was updated to be compliant with federal law. It incorporates guidelines into the school’s cafeteria food, vending machines and physical activity practices.
N.J.-S.P. Approves Tax Anticipation Warrants
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board unanimously approved tax anticipation warrants in the amount of $662,000, with an interest rate of .95 percent. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre School Board to Discuss Balanced Calendar
T
he North Judson-San Pierre School Board will discuss several items tonight when they meet in the central office at 7 p.m. CT.
The balanced calendar will be discussed. Superintendent Lynn Johnson has previously stated that the calendars need to be similar with Knox and Oregon-Davis to accommodate students in the JESSE and vocational cooperative programs. Corporations normally adopt school calendars by January and the school board could adopt a calendar tonight.
North Judson-San Pierre School Board Celebrates Improved Test Scores
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
The effort teachers at North Judson-San Pierre schools have put into preparing students to take ISTEP tests is paying off. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says test scores from 2009 to 2014 reflect steady gains. Math scores have gone from 62-percent proficiency in 2009 to 81 percent in 2014 for grades 3 through 8. During that same time period English/Language Arts scores have improved from 66 to 77 percent. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre Board Approves Updated Test Security Protocol
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
The standardized tests given to North Judson-San Pierre students are locked in a room that cannot be accessed by anyone else during the school day. That is one of the 17 state-mandated safety protocols the corporation is required to follow to ensure the integrity of the tests they administer. The school board this week approved an amended test security policy. Continue reading
North Judson School Photos Find New Home
The class composite and group photos of North Judson and North Judson-San Pierre High School graduates will soon have a new home. They were recently displaced from Grand Central Station in downtown North Judson after a church took over that space. North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson told the school board this week those photos will be on display at the new North Judson Town Hall when it opens later this year. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre Schools Brace for More Budget Cuts
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation officials are bracing for more budget cuts. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says enrollment is down 40 students from last year.
“We have made a lot of cuts already, but obviously we need to make more and look at future plans,” Johnson told the school board Tuesday night. “One of the major expenditures we have is special education, which keeps growing and growing and growing. I would say we probably spend $1 million a year on special education.” Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre Board Questions Balanced Calendar Alignment
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
North Judson-San Pierre School Board members raised a question about the balanced calendar during their meeting last night. The proposed calendar moves the start of school to the first of August, adds longer breaks in the fall and spring that can be used for remediation if necessary and ends the school year the first of June. The first semester would still end in December before the two week Christmas break as it presently does.
Board members wondered what the earlier start to the school year would do to high school students who work for Pioneer detassling corn during their summer vacations. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre Agenda Includes Balanced Calendar Discussion
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will consider adoption of a balanced calendar for the 2015-2016 school year when they meet this evening. They are one of several area corporations considering the approach. School would start earlier in August and get out the first of June. Continue reading
N.J.-S.P. Revises Budget Adoption Calendar
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board has revised its budget adoption calendar. The corporation was selected as part of a state pilot program and as a result cannot adopt a budget until Oct. 15. The Starke County Council will conduct a public hearing on Monday, Aug. 18 on the school corporation’s general, debt, pension and transportation funds. The next day the school board will meet in special session to adopt the 2015 Capital Projects Fund and Bus Replacement Plan. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre School Board to Finalize Weapons Policy
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board may approve a policy regarding weapons on school property when they meet this evening. Continue reading
