Officials 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 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
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.
N.J.-S.P. Officials Looking to Legislature for Education Reform
A combination of declining enrollment, cuts in state funding and unfunded service mandates has North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation officials facing some difficult choices. They’ve already had to cut $800,000 from their budget this school year. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says eight staff members have been notified they will not have jobs after the school year ends. She says the corporation is looking to the Indiana General Assembly for meaningful education reform when the legislature convenes in January. 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 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
Knox, North Judson-San Pierre Schools Ready for New Year
Summer is almost over for students attending area schools.
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the staff is nearly ready for the start of school.
“Everybody is trying to get everything ready,” said Gappa. “The building administrators are getting things going. We have some professional development days this week for all of the staff members. New teachers are coming in Friday and all staff members will report on Monday, Aug. 11. We also have back to school night from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in each of the buildings. Parents can come in and meet the teachers and see what the classrooms are like and get going from there.”
North Judson-San Pierre School Board Reorganizes
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board reorganized in an early morning meeting on Tuesday.
Superintendent Lynn Johnson told WKVI News that Pat Goin was retained as the board president, Larry Lambert will remain as vice president and Marsha Reimbold will serve another year as secretary.
Local Business Makes Donation to North Judson-San Pierre Schools
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board members unanimously approved a donation from a local business.
Chester, Inc., a company that specializes in irrigation systems with manufacturing plants in Valparaiso and North Judson, donated $500 to the school.
North Judson-San Pierre School Board to Discuss Firearms Policy
North Judson-San Pierre School Board Approves Budget Reductions
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board members discussed budget reductions during their meeting last night.
There were only three members in attendance, but Superintendent Lynn Johnson explained to those present what cuts they were looking to make. Johnson said the cancellation of grants and declining school enrollment were two main reasons for the $1.2 million cut.
North Judson-San Pierre School Board Seeking Quotes to Implement Wifi
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board is looking to implement a Wifi system at the corporation this summer.
Superintendent Lynn Johnson said the move will be big for students and for visitors to the school. The board is currently seeking quotes for the upgrade.
North Judson-San Pierre School Board Approves Contract for The Crossing
All three Starke County schools have now approved a contract to be part of The Crossing alternative school.
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board approved the contract Tuesday night and will join Knox Community Schools and Oregon-Davis Schools in creating a Starke County Crossing school. The school helps those students who have fallen out of the traditional public school setting and helps them get a second chance at getting the education that they need.
North Judson-San Pierre School Board Continues to Study Budget for Cuts
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board continues to find ways to cut $1.2 million from the general fund in the corporation’s budget.
Superintendent Lynn Johnson said a budget work session was held last week to tackle this issue.
“We’re still in the process of making reductions,” stated Johnson. “We did have some retirements this year and so that does help with the budget. Some of the budget reductions will be basically a half of a year because we’re just talking just half of the year in 2014. In 2015, you’ll have the whole year’s advantage. We’re looking at making final recommendations at the May 20 meeting.”
North Judson-San Pierre School Board Members to Tackle Topics in Regular Meeting
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will meet tonight in regular session.
The board members are expected to discuss budget reduction recommendations. More than $1 million needs to be cut from the budget and it is the goal of the board to eliminate positions instead of jobs.
During the board’s last meeting in March, Superintendent Lynn Johnson said it may take some creative scheduling in order to accomplish that goal. The corporation has until May 1 to issue reduction in force notices to affected teachers if the process goes in that direction.
NJ-SP Board Studies Alternative School
“It’s really to focus on kids who have dropped out of school. The cost is really their enrollment, their ADM, Annual Daily Membership, we get for them re-enrolling at our school. They would be our students on paper, but they would go to The Crossing,” said Johnson.
NJ-SP Board Votes to Extend School Day, End School in May
NJ-SP School Corporation Facing $1.2 Million Cut
Several Area Schools Considering Balanced School Calendar
