The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation will have to borrow money in order to meet financial obligations over the next six months. Business manager Guy Richie says they managed to close the 2015 budget year in the black by continuing to scale back on expenses and relying heavily on their cash balance. Continue reading
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Visits N.J.-S.P.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz visited North Judson-San Pierre schools Friday afternoon. She didn’t directly address this week’s failed general fund referendum but did speak to high school students about the significance of corporations like N.J.-S.P. to the communities they serve. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre Officials Discuss Next Steps
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 Officials Clarify Referendum Intent
North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation officials say taxpayers within the corporation will see less of an increase in years two through seven if a general fund referendum is approved.
Language on the ballot has raised questions among voters. It states: “For the 7 calendar year or years immediately following the holding of the referendum, shall the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation impose a property tax rate that does not exceed forty-seven and a half cents ($0.475) on each one hundred dollars ($100) of assessed valuation and that is in addition to all other property tax levies imposed by the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation for the purpose of funding the general operation of the school corporation.” 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
Election Board to Consider Poll Watcher Request
The Starke County Election Board will consider a request for poll watchers during a brief meeting this evening. The committee formed to support the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation’s general fund tax referendum has submitted a formal request to allow volunteers to keep an eye on each precinct. 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
North Judson-San Pierre Enrollment Drops
Enrollment continues to drop at the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation. Continue reading
Informational Website Launched for N.J.-S.P. School Referendum
Voters who live within the North Judson-San Pierre School District can learn more about the corporation’s proposed general fund referendum by visiting a new website. www.njspfundourfuture.com explains the rationale behind the push for a property tax increase. Corporation officials say it’s necessary due to what they’ve described as a perfect storm of declining enrollment and changes in the way the state funds schools. Without it, they say significant, painful cuts will need to be made to programs and personnel. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre Presents Bare-Bones Budget
The proposed North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation budget has been slashed considerably over the past several years. Corporation business manager and treasurer Guy Richie told the county council during last week’s budget hearing that revenue continues to decline due to changes in state funding and drops in enrollment. Continue reading
Starke County Council to Consider Salary Ordinance Ranges
The Starke County Council will consider salary ordinance ranges for county employees when they meet this evening. Their agenda indicates proposed 1, 2 and 3 percent increases will be discussed, along with an adjustment to the state’s mileage rate. Continue reading
N.J.-S.P. Officials Prepare for School Funding Referendum
North Judson-San Pierre School officials are preparing to ask taxpayers within the corporation to support a $1.5 million tax increase over the next seven years to fund school operations. The school board will formally authorize the process during their July meeting. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Addresses School Funding Rumors
North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation officials are eying a local property tax hike to cover operating expenses. A combination of state funding cuts and declining enrollment have cost the corporation a significant amount of money. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says they are not planning to consolidate.
“This is North Judson-San Pierre. It needs to stay North Judson-San Pierre. We’re not going to be absorbed into Knox. That is not true,” Johnson said. Continue reading
North Judson-San Pierre School Officials Propose School Funding Referendum
North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation officials will ask voters to approve a property tax referendum this fall to help fund day-to-day school operations. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says a combination of declining enrollment and state budget cuts have forced the corporation to cut $2.5 million since 2010. She stresses there are no plans to close schools or consolidate with another corporation, despite rumors to the contrary. Continue reading
Schools to Make up Missed Days of School
Schools closed three days last week due to weather which means students will be making up those lost days of instruction.
West Central School Superintendent Don Street explains what his corporation will do to make up those days.
“Feb. 16 and April 20 are two snow make-up days we have. We’re also exploring the possibility of e-learning days and designate Saturdays as a possibility to make up future days missed,” said Street.
N.J.-S.P. Business Manager Outlines Financial Challenges
A combination of steady declines in enrollment, changes in public education funding and additional unfunded mandates are taking a toll on the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation. Business manager Guy Richie says the state changed the way public schools are funded in 2008. Instead of basing funds on local property taxes, money now follows the child.
That means when children move away, so does the tuition support. Richie says it’s never in such a way though that the corporation can eliminate one staff member and make up the difference. Instead the enrollment declines are scattered, which makes cutting expenses more challenging. Continue reading
Teacher Performance Grants Awarded to Several Local Schools
Educators at several local schools will receive a share of the $30 million in Teacher Performance Grants awarded by the state to more than 1,300 schools. Funds were given to schools with students earning ISTEP+ or end of course assessment passing scores of 72.5 percent or above or with a growth in graduation rates of 5 percent ore more from the previous year. Teachers who are rated effective or highly effective under Indiana’s teacher evaluation system for the 2013-2014 academic year will be paid based on student performance. Continue reading
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
N.J.-S.P. Pool Activities Approved and Begin in January
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board this week approved the proposed pool activities list for members of the community. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says they will offer swim lessons and have open swim times for kids and their families. Continue reading
Hamilton Southeastern Courts Former Knox Superintendent
A former Knox Community School Corporation administrator is being wooed by a suburban Indianapolis school district. “The Indianapolis Star” reports Hamilton Southeastern Schools officials will recommend Dr. Allen Bourff for the superintendent job there when they meet on Dec. 2. Bourff’s career started at Knox High School as an English teacher in 1978. Continue reading
