Local Schools Report Low ISTEP Scores

 
 

ISTEP scores released today by the state indicate a double-digit decline in the passing percentage over last year. In 2013-14, 74 percent of public school students across Indiana passed both the English/Language Arts and Math standardized tests. The 2014-15 scores indicate only 52-percent of public school students made the grade on both tests. Both percentages are slightly higher when private and charter school students are factored in. Continue reading

N.J.-S.P. Prepares to Close 2015 Books

NJ-SP School Board 2015-2016The agenda for tonight’s North Judson-San Pierre School Board meeting includes passage of the necessary resolution to move money around to close the books on the fiscal year budget. Superintendent Lynn Johnson previously said at least $1 million in cuts would be necessary to end the year in the black. The source of those cuts is unclear at this time. Continue reading

North Judson-San Pierre Officials Discuss Next Steps

BluejayOfficials with the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation are trying to regroup after voters overwhelmingly rejected a tax increase to shore up the general fund. Superintendent Lynn Johnson told WKVI News her immediate priority is to find a way to close out the 2015 budget in the black. The school’s fiscal year ends on Dec. 31. Johnson estimates at least $1 million in cuts will need to be made between now and then. Continue reading

N.J.-S.P. Superintendent Elaborates on Resignation

North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson says her abrupt decision to retire at the end of December, a year before her current contract is up, was a mutual one between herself and the school board. The corporation made the announcement on Monday, and the board will formally accept her resignation and separation agreement at their November meeting. Continue reading

N.J.-S.P. Principal Responds to Volleyball Allegations

BluejayThe WKVI News and Sports Departments and General Manager met this week with officials from North Judson-San Pierre High School to discuss allegations raised by two parents during the Tuesday, Oct. 21 ‘s school board meeting and reported by WKVI News. We received this response from them this morning and agreed to publish it in its entirety on our website. We have also removed the original story from our site in an effort to stop the spread of misinformation.
Statement From NJ-SP High School Principal (Annette Zupin):

As the principal of North Judson-San Pierre High School, I do not make a habit out of publicly commenting about school business.  The allegations of misconduct that were recently made at a school board meeting (and subsequently reported by WKVI) are serious.  I choose to comment publicly on this situation now because it is serious, and because it is important for anyone that has read the initial report to know the truth.   Continue reading

Starke County Election Board Finalizes Election Plans

 
 

Supporters of the North Judson-San Pierre School funding referendum have gathered the necessary signatures to ask the county to allow poll watchers at the precincts within the district. They will double check names of likely voters against voter registration lists to ensure supporters of the effort turn out to vote. The election board will review the signatures on the petitions to make sure they are all registered voters who live within the county before approving the request during a meeting next week. Continue reading

Food Pantry Emerges Victorious in WKVI Sports Bet

WKVI Sports Director Nathan Welter, Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry Director Rhonda Overmyer and WKVI News Director Mary Perren
WKVI Sports Director Nathan Welter, Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry Director Rhonda Overmyer and WKVI News Director Mary Perren

Starke County residents who need a hand up are the big winners in the good-natured bet between WKVI’s Nathan Welter and Mary Perren over the outcome of the recent Knox v. North Judson-San Pierre football game. Since Nathan is a graduate and Knox and they lost, part of his payoff was hosting an hour-long food drive at Heartland Markets in North Judson. Manager Ray Wadja kept a donation can at the register as well for a week afterward. Continue reading

Prosecutor, Students Partner to Share Important Message

Cyber SecurityStudents from Starke County’s three high schools have an important message for their peers about the long-term consequences of their online activity. Prosecutor Nick Bourff is trying to raise awareness of sexting, cyber-bullying and other types of high-tech harassment that may not only cause pain and embarrassment but may also carry criminal consequences.He recently enlisted the help of students from Knox, North Judson-San Pierre and Oregon-Davis to get the word out.

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