Posted on December 11, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Now that some more solid plans are in place for proposed renovations at the North Judson-Elementary School, officials are able to start thinking about future uses for unused space at the Middle School Building.
During last week’s work session, Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin shared that there was initially some uncertainty about whether or not the elementary school would be in a position where a renovation project would be possible due to its age.
However, following a feasibility study by Fanning-Howey that showed that the elementary is in good condition to make improvements, school officials can now start kicking around some ideas about what to do with the underutilized areas in the middle school facility.
Superintendent Zupin stressed that just because they’ll now be focusing on making upgrades at the elementary school, that doesn’t mean that they’re going to stop thinking about the other building and how to make sure it’s being utilized in a way that best serves the school corporation and NJ-SP students.
She shared, “We don’t have to save it for a later date because we might move over, because that’s what we’ve been sitting with for two or three years now, kind of on that fence and we should because we were waiting on enrollment and waiting for this time but I think there’s opportunities for that middle school building for programs and community use.”
She noted that having that available space would allow officials to expand opportunities for students and entice and encourage others to come to the school corporation.
Dr. Zupin stated, “We know that graduation pathways are coming so not only is it leasers but it’s programs that might come down the pipeline where they would need one or two classrooms and if we don’t have that space then we don’t get those programs.
Board member Jim Menis weighed in on the matter, stressing that it puts NJ-SP in a unique position.
He shared, “It’s wonderful for the school system, as small as it is, to have that option. A lot of bigger schools don’t have this option.”
School officials will continue to address the proposed expansion project at the elementary school and ways to use underutilized space at the middle school building during future school board meetings.
As was previously reported, members of the public are encouraged to reach out to tour the facilities in order to get a better understanding of what’s being proposed and what will be addressed. To contact school officials call 574-896-2155.
Showing posts with label NJ-SP Middle School building. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NJ-SP Middle School building. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Monday, October 28, 2019
NJ-SP School Board Hears Concerns from Owner of Adventure Island Preschool
Posted on October 28, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
The possibility of leasing space to another preschool program at the former North Judson-San Pierre middle school building has raised some concerns from the business owner currently utilizing the facility.
The School Board previously heard that the owner of Max’s Playhouse in Culver, Brandy Pohl, was recently awarded a grant to expand her services.
They were told at their September meeting that she has approached school officials about the possibility of leasing space for a proposed all-day preschool program called SEEDs, or Schools Engaging Early Development. However nothing had been officially considered or approved, the matter was only briefly discussed.
Owner of Adventure Island Preschool Danielle Christensen came before the NJ-SP School Board Tuesday evening to talk with them about how that would impact her existing business that has been housed at the former middle school Building since 2016.
She explained, “My program runs mostly on tuition-paying parents, I have four students that are on a scholarship through the Community Foundation but my salary relies solely on tuition. To tell me that this new program will not affect my business is simply untrue. I cannot compete with a free program.”
Christensen added that during a discussion with Pohl last spring, she was informed that she was considering implementing something with the Culver Community School Corporation.
During the conversation, Christensen said she provided some details about her business and highlighted her desire to eventually bring an all-day preschool program to NJ-SP.
Christensen shared that she was born and raised up in North Judson, mentioned that she and her husband both come from generations of Blue Jay supporters and added that both their children wear blue and gold every day.
She highlighted her community involvement and mentioned that she’s a part of the Blue Jay Strategic Planning Committee. She noted that she coordinates with the Kindergarten teachers to gather feedback about ways to improve her program.
She included that she is a licensed teacher and that she left her position at West Central to create a preschool environment that prepares children for kindergarten and noted that while she may not be on their payroll, she is a resource to the corporation.
While delivering the impassioned statement that she prepared, she said she just wanted to have her voice heard and asked the school board to consider these factors moving forward.
Board President Derrick Stalbaum provided some feedback about the matter, “It would be unethical for us to not allow a group to come in to help children and to choose one business over another.”
Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin stressed that officials value Christensen and appreciate everything she does for the students. She asked if there was any way they could assure her that her program would be secure even if they lease space for the other program.
Christensen indicated that if there’s a chance this could jeopardize her business, it wouldn’t be a personal thing and there really wouldn’t be anything the school board could do, but she would have to consider the possibility of moving locations to maintain her livelihood.
Dr. Zupin acknowledged that she is looking at things through a different lens than Christensen but said that they thought this would be a positive thing for the community.
She stated, “North Judson San Pierre, not Knox the county seat who tends to get things more frequently than we do, we have a chance to have a preschool wing in our school and for us, and it may be naïve, this is a good thing.”
School board member Jeri Brewer weighed in and said she felt that Christensen has a strong customer base that would stay loyal to her regardless of an additional option.
Brewer encouraged her to have confidence that her business would still be successful.
Board Member Jim Menis added to that and emphasized that community feedback about her program is positive. The other school board members echoed that sentiment as well.
Christensen stated that while she was appreciative of those comments, there’s no way of knowing that housing a potential competitor under the same roof wouldn’t have a negative effect on Adventure Island.
Stalbaum mentioned that he served as the president of a preschool in Pulaski County and shared his experience with that, noting that differing eligibility requirements could result in there being less of an impact than she’s anticipating.
He told her, “I ran the one in Medaryville, which is actually housed at West Central, right next door to the Head Start and we consistently still have full class sizes, to the point where we’ve actually had to add more, with an entire Head Start program there
Stalbaum added that school board members haven’t heard anything else about this matter since their meeting in September and emphasized that no decisions have been made.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
The possibility of leasing space to another preschool program at the former North Judson-San Pierre middle school building has raised some concerns from the business owner currently utilizing the facility.
The School Board previously heard that the owner of Max’s Playhouse in Culver, Brandy Pohl, was recently awarded a grant to expand her services.
They were told at their September meeting that she has approached school officials about the possibility of leasing space for a proposed all-day preschool program called SEEDs, or Schools Engaging Early Development. However nothing had been officially considered or approved, the matter was only briefly discussed.
Owner of Adventure Island Preschool Danielle Christensen came before the NJ-SP School Board Tuesday evening to talk with them about how that would impact her existing business that has been housed at the former middle school Building since 2016.
She explained, “My program runs mostly on tuition-paying parents, I have four students that are on a scholarship through the Community Foundation but my salary relies solely on tuition. To tell me that this new program will not affect my business is simply untrue. I cannot compete with a free program.”
Christensen added that during a discussion with Pohl last spring, she was informed that she was considering implementing something with the Culver Community School Corporation.
During the conversation, Christensen said she provided some details about her business and highlighted her desire to eventually bring an all-day preschool program to NJ-SP.
Christensen shared that she was born and raised up in North Judson, mentioned that she and her husband both come from generations of Blue Jay supporters and added that both their children wear blue and gold every day.
She highlighted her community involvement and mentioned that she’s a part of the Blue Jay Strategic Planning Committee. She noted that she coordinates with the Kindergarten teachers to gather feedback about ways to improve her program.
She included that she is a licensed teacher and that she left her position at West Central to create a preschool environment that prepares children for kindergarten and noted that while she may not be on their payroll, she is a resource to the corporation.
While delivering the impassioned statement that she prepared, she said she just wanted to have her voice heard and asked the school board to consider these factors moving forward.
Board President Derrick Stalbaum provided some feedback about the matter, “It would be unethical for us to not allow a group to come in to help children and to choose one business over another.”
Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin stressed that officials value Christensen and appreciate everything she does for the students. She asked if there was any way they could assure her that her program would be secure even if they lease space for the other program.
Christensen indicated that if there’s a chance this could jeopardize her business, it wouldn’t be a personal thing and there really wouldn’t be anything the school board could do, but she would have to consider the possibility of moving locations to maintain her livelihood.
Dr. Zupin acknowledged that she is looking at things through a different lens than Christensen but said that they thought this would be a positive thing for the community.
She stated, “North Judson San Pierre, not Knox the county seat who tends to get things more frequently than we do, we have a chance to have a preschool wing in our school and for us, and it may be naïve, this is a good thing.”
School board member Jeri Brewer weighed in and said she felt that Christensen has a strong customer base that would stay loyal to her regardless of an additional option.
Brewer encouraged her to have confidence that her business would still be successful.
Board Member Jim Menis added to that and emphasized that community feedback about her program is positive. The other school board members echoed that sentiment as well.
Christensen stated that while she was appreciative of those comments, there’s no way of knowing that housing a potential competitor under the same roof wouldn’t have a negative effect on Adventure Island.
Stalbaum mentioned that he served as the president of a preschool in Pulaski County and shared his experience with that, noting that differing eligibility requirements could result in there being less of an impact than she’s anticipating.
He told her, “I ran the one in Medaryville, which is actually housed at West Central, right next door to the Head Start and we consistently still have full class sizes, to the point where we’ve actually had to add more, with an entire Head Start program there
Stalbaum added that school board members haven’t heard anything else about this matter since their meeting in September and emphasized that no decisions have been made.
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