The Town of Saint John Park and Recreation Board voted unanimously at its Nov. 18 meeting to approve a slate of independent‑contractor agreements for 2025–2026 and authorized payment of the board’s accounts payable.

Contract approvals included a 2025 agreement with Wandering Wildflower to run wreath‑making classes; 2026 agreements with Christine and Dixie Grigson for Taibo/Fit (over‑50 fitness classes), Kelly Shinneberger for Zumba, Northwest Indiana Martial Arts Academy for children’s martial arts, Bethanne Foster for Pilates and yoga sessions, and a contract with Sasha to teach sourdough bread classes. The board also approved a catering contract with Progressive Dining Group for the Santa breakfast. Each item was moved, seconded and carried by a 4–0 vote.

The board also approved payment of accounts payable vouchers dated Nov. 18, 2025, representing payroll, supplies, services and equipment for the park and recreation board in a combined total of $92,778.61. Stephanie Kriesbaum made several of the motions during the meeting and Mary Therese Robert seconded multiple items; routine roll‑call votes showed unanimous support for each listed contract and the bill payment.

Why it matters: these contractor agreements set the community center’s programming for the coming year, including fitness, youth and culinary classes and the holiday Santa breakfast. By approving the contracts at once, the board cleared vendors and instructors to begin planning and marketing upcoming sessions.

What’s next: the contracts and the authorized payments were approved on the consent/regular agenda and no additional public comment or follow‑up votes were scheduled at the meeting. The board will return to program oversight and scheduling at future meetings.