N.J.-S.P. Board Seeks Public Input on Elected v. Appointed Board

Posted on August 17, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI 

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board wants more input from the public before making a final decision about whether future boards should be elected or appointed. They’ve posted a N.J.-S.P. Community School Board Input Google survey on their website to gauge input from all residents of the district. Those without computer access will be able to complete it at the junior/senior high school media center on Aug. 31 from 6 until 7 p.m. and Sept. 6 from 7 until 8 a.m. It will remain on the site through Sunday, Sept. 18th.

Additionally a public hearing is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 12 in the high school auditorium to give residents a final chance to weigh in. Each person will have three minutes to speak and will only be allowed to speak one time.

The board will meet in executive session on Monday, Sept. 19 and Tuesday, Sept. 20 prior to their regular monthly meeting to review the data and discuss next steps prior to announcing their decision at the 7 p.m. meeting.

Matt Bailey has led the charge to transition from an appointed to an elected board. He says the easiest and least expensive route is for the board to vote to change. Doing so would also give them the right to write a transition plan.

If they choose to maintain the status quo, Bailey is prepared to move forward with the necessary petition to bring the issue to a vote.

The entire elected versus appointed school board discussion from Tuesday’s N.J.-S.P. School Board meeting will air Sunday at noon CDT on WKVI’s Kankakee Valley Viewpoints program.