N.J.-S.P. School Board Plans Budget Sessions in Face of Funding Woes

North Judson-San Pierre Admin buildingThe North Judson – San Pierre School Corporation has their work cut out for them, but all indications are they will end this fiscal year in the black.

Tuesday night’s school board meeting brought with it a packed house and a few observers wondering what the school corporation’s plans are following the defeat of a referendum designed to temporarily increase the property tax levy.

School Board President Pat Goin kept her comments on the issue brief.

“Certainly we as a board are disappointed that we didn’t get the referendum passed,” says Goin. “That was very evident. We felt that we needed the money to move forward and to provide a good education and opportunities for our students. Having said that, we must now face what we have and work with it and try to find solutions.”

Over the next six to eight weeks, the N.J.-S.P. School Board will be meeting regularly to discuss its finances, both in the short and long-term.

Several residents expressed concerns about involving the public in the discussions. The Board made it clear that some of their meetings will be work sessions open to the public. As things stand, a reduction in force is a strong possibility.

Goin says their focus going forward will likely be on the coming calendar year

“What will happen between January 1st and June 30th? That is still to be determined and I say that not to put anyone off, but just to tell you that we’re looking at all of the possibilities,” says Goin.

The North Judson – San Pierre School Board met in executive session prior to Tuesday night’s meeting and said they intended another executive session following the meeting to further consider their finances before bringing their ideas to the public.