N.J.-S.P. Board Discusses Salaries

Published: July 21, 2015

By: Jacque Ryan, WKVI

Administrative and non-instructional North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation employees will not be getting pay raises this year after action last week by the school board. That move is in response to budgetary constraints. Superintendent Lynn Johnson says there will be no increase to any salaries. Every year the board is required to take action on a resolution about Teacher’s Credit Union. The board was in agreement about continuing to use the company for payroll deductions.

Their meeting was immediately followed by a work session where board members continued discussions about composing a political action committee for the referendum discussed during previous board meetings. Superintendent Johnson said the board tossed around a few names for potential community members who would be beneficial to the committee. She relayed that the school has also received calls from volunteers wishing to assist with the referendum process and be a part of the PAC.

North Judson – San Pierre Superintendent Discusses Referendum Details

Published: July 8, 2015

By: Jacque Ryan, WKVI

The North Judson School Board unanimously approved a resolution requesting a property tax levy referendum during their most recent meeting. The board has recently received some criticism about doing this now rather than during a regular election year.

Superintendent Lynn Johnson discussed the importance of implementing this referendum as soon as possible, “If we do not do it in this fall, and waited until May or the following November when there are elections scheduled we would not get any new monies until July first of 2017 and that is way too late because we would not have the money that we need to get through 2016.”

The referendum itself will need public approval when it goes to the ballot in November of this year. Johnson wanted to make it very clear that though the price is initially higher it will decrease during the 7 years the referendum is in place, “The referendum amount for year one is 47 cents per that $100 unit. Now years 2 through 7 our debt service levy is paid off so since that is paid off we can re purpose that debt and will reduce that 47 cents to 27 cents.”

Superintendent Johnson said that this whole process will cost approximately $28,000. The school has employed the council of Umbaugh and Associates to prepare tax information and comparisons for $6,000. The School’s Bond Council is Thomas Peterson who works with the school through the Department of Local Government Finance. Curt Pletcher has been hired to assist with consulting services and political strategy. Both men are being paid $5,000 each. The remaining $12,000 will be spent for various election costs such as renting out required voting spaces, hiring workers and other costs associated with the election itself. The campaigning efforts and public education prior to the election must be funded through the Political Action Committee, rather than through the school.

NJ-SP SB Brainstorms Ideas for Political Action Committee to Assist with Referendum

Published: July 8, 2015

By: Jacque Ryan, WKVI

Following their meeting Monday evening, the NJSP School Board held a work session to discuss the formation of a Political Action Committee. They considered various community members who could potentially be contacted to assist the school with the referendum process. The P.A.C would be responsible for making sure community members are registered to vote and spreading the word about the corporation and why the referendum is needed.

The members of the Political Action Committee will also raise funds for advertising and other items pertaining to the referendum. School funds are not permitted to be used for these purposes. Approximately $2,000 will need to be obtained through various fundraisers to have an adequate amount of money for advertising. The P.A.C is open to all members of the community. Anyone who wishes to be a part of this committee should express their interest to a member of the NJSP School Corporation by calling 574-896-2155.