The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.


La Harpe School Board Meeting

The La Harpe School Board held a regular meeting Tuesday night, October 20th in the school district library.

Board members in attendance were Board President Cindy Wear, Mark Irish, Pam Campbell, Deanna Stambaugh, and Darren Spangler. Also present were Superintendent Jo Campbell, Principal Lila McKeown, Jeanne Clayton and Jennifer Hensley who was observing the meeting for a class at Monmouth College.

Principal McKeown reported the 7th and 8th grade girls' basketball team's continued success despite dealing with sickness.

The 5th and 6th grade girls' basketball team has also overcome illness this season, and the 7th and 8th grade boys have begun preparing for their basketball season.

The La Harpe Student Council planned activities for the school year including Red Ribbon Week which was October 26-30.

The 6th grade attended the Teen Health Fair on October 7 in Carthage and the 8th grade attended the Career Fair at the Extension Center on October 15th.

Both Preschool and Kindergarten classes have enjoyed trips to Roger's Pumpkin Farm and the preschool has held their second Family Night at which the families decorated pumpkins.

Principal Mc Keown reported that fire drills and other emergency procedures for the district have been rehearsed.

McKeown expressed appreciation to La Harpe Telephone Company who sponsored WIU Touring Theater's presentation of "Judy Jekyll and Hermione Hyde: A Cautionary Tale". First State Bank is helping with a future performance which will be scheduled for the spring.

McKown explained that profits from the Book Fair will allow the purchase of books for the district library.

Parent Teacher Conferences were held and the teaches have continued to focus on this year's theme of, "The Art of Teaching".

In September teacher's in-service centered on a crisis plan for H1N1, and in October many aspects of student management and teaching strategies were discussed.

In addition to approving previous board minutes, the financial report and payment of bills, the school board ratified the collective bargaining agreement with the La Harpe Education Association for FY2010-2012 and approved the FY2010 support staff salary schedule.

The board approved David Little as a substitute custodian and Darrell Kraft as a bus driver, accepted the administrative compensation report and the annual independent audit, and approved cafeteria personnel annual physical exam reimbursement.

As no bid was received by the deadline for the purchase and removal of the old garage, the board accepted Don Little's plan to remove the garage. Once the building is removed the space will be cleaned up and enclosed to house new recycling and trash containers.

The board also discussed the need to begin gathering information toward the future demolition of the 1928 building which no longer may be used, agreed upon general parameters for the use of the current gymnasium, and approved the purchase of appropriate padded flooring for the Johnson Building pre-kindergarten recreation area.

The board also approved the deletion of closed session recordings made at least 18 months prior to the current meeting as per policy 2:220.

Regularly scheduled LCSD #347 board meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month in the school library at 7:00 p.m.

We invite you to view newly organized agenda, news releases and approved minutes on the school board section of the La Harpe Eagles website at www.laharpeeagles.org.