The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The La Harpe School Board held their regular meeting July 18th, in the district library.
Todd Porter spoke to the board regarding the high school baseball coaching position for next school year. Petitions were presented to the board and Charles Apt and Lisa Trout spoke in support of Todd Porter as the high school baseball coach.
Paul Mealiff presented his Ag report to the board and introduced the new Ag teacher, Melvin Roth of Stronghurst, to the board.
The board approved the employment of LaRae Roth as part-time high school English teacher and Melissa Johnson as a first grade teacher for the 2006-07 school year.
They accepted with regret the resignation of Hollie Gebhardt as fourth grade teacher. Hollie has accepted a position as fourth grade teacher in the Burlington, Iowa Schools where she lives.
The board approved a request from Cindy Bruns for a leave of absence for the 2006-07 school year. She has accepted employment in the Louisville area which is near her husband's work.
The following coop coaching assignments as recommended by the West Prairie School District were approved:
assistant football-Pat Raftis, head boys basketball-Kellen Fernetti, assistant boys basketball-Doug Fisher, head boys track-Don Luper, and assistant boys track-Steve Repp.
The board voted not to accept the recommendation of the West Prairie School District for the position of head baseball coach and assistant baseball coach. Approval of the assistant will be made when an agreement is reached on the head coach position.
In other business, the board approved the sale of $75,000 in Health Life/Safety Bonds for repair of the high school roof, renewed the membership agreement to the Ill. School District Agency for 2006-07, authorized Supt. Campbell to serve as the district IMRF agent, approved the cafeteria milk and bread bids submitted by Prairie Farms and Sara Lee for 2006-07, adopted the 2006-07 student handbooks and student fees, reviewed the closed session minutes and declared the minutes from the following sessions to remain closed: May 16, 2006, March 23, 2006, February 21, 2006, and January 17, 2006, and approved a building use request by Larry Cortelyou for the cafeteria and music room.
Principal Lila McKeown reported on 2 school improvement meetings with teachers.
The junior high teachers met June 22 to discuss issues for next year. Teachers attending were Stephanie Mencel, Jack McKinnon, Janet McKoon, Judy Stevenson, Cindy Bruns, Nancy Barnett, and Liz Abbott.
The second meeting was on June 28th for high school teachers. Those attending were Mike Carson, Barb Ramsey, Suzy Holtsclaw, Nancy Barnett, and Pat Raftis.
Mr. Mealiff reported ten FFA members attended the "Fun Night" on June 29th at Fort Madison, IA, and had an enjoyable time.
The FFA Chapter pizza party was on July 13th with 27 members and guests in attendance. It was an opportunity to get acquainted with the new agriculture teacher Melvin Roth.
Ten students from La Harpe exhibited their projects at the Section XI Vo-Ag Fair.
Alex Bundy won the trophy for Champion Steer and Sarah Ziegler received the Champion Garden trophy.
Morgan Mohr had entries in the beef, swine, and garden, while Jessica Horton will receive the highest total premium this year on her swine and beef animals.
Mariah Myers was our only entry in the horse division and it was her first year to show at this fair.
Justin Sparrow and J. D. Hobby only showed steers, while Travis Hobby had both beef and swine.
This was the first year Chris and Craig Corzatt were eligible to show swine at the Section XI fair.
With the exception of 3 B's and 3 C's for Rate of Gain Steers, all 63 of the La Harpe exhibits received "A" ratings and were at or near the top of their class. They will receive a combined total of $867.00 in premiums from the fair, the highest amount in 10 years.
Lindsey Pollock and Mariah Myers will join 200 FFA members from Illinois at the State FFA Leadership Camp near Monticello to improve their leadership abilities through team activities as well as enjoy camp activities with the State FFA officers.
Mr. Mealiff said this is his last monthly AG/FFA report.
"It has been my pleasure to work with many individuals in the La Harpe community during the past 15 years and I have tried to improve the quality of Agriculture Education and the La Harpe FFA Chapter during that time. I believe that has happened and it would not have been possible without the great support of every one in the La Harpe community. Please continue to give that support for the new Agriculture Instructor, Melvin Roth. This is wonderful community and you can help keep it that way," he said.
Other reporters were:
Charles Ap-building trades house. Nancy Butler La Harpe Educational Foundation meeting. David Pistorius, First Midstate, Inc., regarding Health Life/Safety and Working Cash Bonds.
Ms. Elaine Long of Carl Sandburg College passed out "Envoy" and mentioned several articles of interest, particularly a new medical assistant program.