N.J.-S.P. Board Schedules School Board Input Meeting

Posted on September 7, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI 

Residents of the North Judson-San Pierre School District will have a chance to publicly weigh in on whether the school board should be elected or appointed. The corporation has scheduled a public meeting on Monday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. in the N.J.-S.P. High School auditorium for the sole purpose of seeking input on the topic.

Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin says a neutral moderator will facilitate the meeting so board members can listen intently to the comments and not be distracted by keeping time, calling on speakers or responding to comments. She says the moderator will help assure the meeting is productive and effective.

Each person who wishes to speak will sign up ahead of time on a clipboard at the auditorium entrance. Each speaker will have a maximum of three minutes to speak and may only speak once. At the conclusion of the public statements, the pro-appointed and pro-elected positions may each have a representative make a summary statement lasting no more than five minutes.

The school board is also gathering public opinions about whether the school board should be appointed or elected via online survey, available at N.J.-S.P. Community School Board Input Survey.

The board will announce at their regularly scheduled Sept. 20 meeting whether they favor transitioning to an elected board or maintaining the appointed status quo. Should they opt for the latter, supporters of an elected board have advised they plan to proceed with a petition to bring the question to voters.

Elected School Board Advocates Schedule Informational Meeting

June 16, 2016AuthorMary Perren, WKVI 

Residents of the North Judson-San Pierre School District can learn more about the effort to elect school board members during an informational meeting this  evening.Matt and Becky Bailey are leading the charge to change from an appointed to an elected board. During the May 17th N.J.-S.P. School Board meeting, they asked the existing school board members to consider voluntarily stepping down during their next meeting on June 21st.

If not, Bailey told the board he’s financially prepared to proceed with a referendum and any appeals that may occur as a result. He says a committee has been formed, and the first steps have been taken to bring the matter to a vote of the people if necessary.

Bailey notes more than 96 percent of school districts in the state operate with elected boards.

More information will be shared tonight at 7 p.m. at The Carpenters Yard in North Judson. It’s the old North Judson Lumber Yard on Main Street, located across from the fire station.