La Harpe School Board

The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

La Harpe School Board

July-August-September Meetings Reports

-from minutes of La Harpe School Secretary Jeanne Clayton

July 2010 School Board

Tuesday, July 20:The La Harpe school board met Tuesday, July 20, in the district library with board members Pres. Cindy Wear, Mark Irish, Rex Huston, Deanna Stambaugh, and Darren Spangler, along with Supt. Jo Campbell, Principal Lila McKeown, and Secretary Jeanne Clayton.

The board discussed providing a designated protected area for memorials and reviewed the request for a memorial for Glenn Gleason.

Principal McKeown reported work on dropped ceilings in 3 classrooms, the removal of old cabinets and cook top to create more space in the teacher lounge, and the completed installation of Promethean boards.

Mrs. Johnson was able to attend a National Reading conference, and Prin. McKeown attended an excellent Administrator Academy concerning legal issues.

Prin. McKeown also provided the board with lists of the mandated subjects and holiday observations and copies of Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and Technology Standards for their reference.

In addition to approving previous board minutes, financial report and payment of bills, the school board approved the policies for internet use and district wellness, the faculty and student handbooks with amended language to sections on cell phone usage, discipline and athletic eligibility.

The board approved Supt. Campbell as the authorized IMRF agent for FY2011, set time and date to conduct the FY 2011 Budget Hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2,1 2010, and approved the recall of the following employees for the school year 2011: Ryan Kitch, Dede Beachy, Sally Boyle, Jill Dunham, Denise Kost, Kathi Rogers, Valerie Van Fleet, and Bonnie Yocum.

Supt. Campbell presented bills, the district financial update, legislative updates, and noted that the annual audit is set for mid-September. Stambaugh requested a report of the monthly fees charged by Ameren Energy Marketing.

Supt. Campbell informed the board of his upcoming meeting with IASA Board of Directors. Teachers from all Hancock County districts with exception of Hamilton will attend the joint Teacher's Institute at the New Charger Center in Carthage with speaker Jason Dorsey, the new president of Carl Sandburg, and the IWHS marching band.

The board agreed to change the regular August board meeting date from Aug. 17, to Aug. 24, 2010, including moving the Working Cash Bonds Hearing to the 24th. The preliminary FY11 budget was made available in the central office starting August 23.

The board agreed to leave closed session minutes sealed and approved the deletion of verbatim closed session recordings made at least 18 months prior to the regular July 20, 2010, board meeting, per board policy 2:220.

The board discussed and approved the preparation of a Health/Life Safety Amendment which would not commit the district to renovate of the 1958 building until the amendment itself was approved, but would give a clear picture of what may be accomplished with the HLS with the remaining amount potentially coming from the school construction grant.

The board approved the hiring of Matt Miller for morning, afternoon, and shuttle routes and Nancy Hasten as a substitute cook.

The board approved the support personnel salary schedule for FY 2011, and the availability of a leave of absence for Doug Jones for the school year 2011.

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 agendas, news releases and approved minutes on the school board section of the La Harpe Eagles website at www.laharpeeagles. org.

La Harpe Community School District #347

August 2010 School Board Meeting

The La Harpe school board met Tuesday, August 24, 2010, in the district library. Board members in attendance were Pres. Cindy Wear, Dan Horton, Mark Irish, Pam Campbell, Rex Huston, Deanna Stambaugh, and Darren Spangler. Also present were Supt. Jo Campbell, Prin. Lila McKeown, Jeanne Clayton, and Don Little. Visiting from Huff Architects were Bob Huff and Dan Johnson.

Supt. Campbell gave the financial report and presented district bills including an overview of the billing from the 4 utility providers for the district.

The board discussed with the architects a Health Life Safety Amendment to address 5 main areas of renovation in the 1958 building. These areas include violations in the 55-year-old mechanical system, the original windows, the 25-year-old roof, the existing wiring and electrical panels, and the plumbing. Once addressed, this portion of the main building would be brought up to current code.

Huff also explained the costs and time lines involved in financing and completing the projects and the possibility of including demolition of the obsolete 1928 building in this phase with a potential for the demolition and renovation to occur as early as next summer.

The board renewed their consensus to proceed with the amendment noting their responsibility to the voting public for the upkeep and improvement of the current facilities.

In addition to approving previous board minutes, financial report and payment of bills, the board held the working cash bond sale hearing putting in place the ability to sell working cash bonds if needed over the next 3 years.

The board accepted the preliminary FY 2011 budget, approved the school bus routes, amended the Family Leave Act policy after adding this additional business item to the agenda, and authorized the deletion of closed session recodings made at least 18 months prior to the current meeting according to district policy.

The school board accepted with regrets the resignation from bus aide submitted by Heather Soule, and approved Joan Shipman as bus aide in her place.

The board also approved Krissy Atgilbers as head coach for 5/6 grade girls' basketball, Pat Krow as substitute paraprofessional, and approved the following applicants to substitute as cook, custodian or aide; Wendy Dowell, Melissa Ruffcorn, Sarah Shoemaker, and Sharon Spangler.

Principal McKeown's report noted that although Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for January 21, the elementary teachers desire to hold conferences in the evenings on March 22 and 24 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

The calendar would need to be amended to show Jan. 21, as NIA and change Apr. 22 to FPT. This update could be approved in September.

McKeown also reported the new cell phone policy is in place and had no student cell phone use infractions to date.

Student enrollment is 240 students with 148 in elementary and 92 in junior high.

The Eagle Boosters "Eagle Sports Kick Off" was well attended.

McKeown presented initial plans for a designated protected area for memorials.

September 2010 School Board Meeting

The La Harpe school board met Tuesday, September 21, 2010, in the district library. Board members in attendance were V.P. Dan Horton, Mark Irish, Pam Campbell, Rex Huston, Deanna Stambaugh, and Darren Spangler. Also present were Supt. Jo Campbell, Prin. Lila McKeown, and Jeanne Clayton.

Supt. Campbell gave the financial report and presented district bills noting that La Harpe is in its 4th fiscal year as an elementary district.

Dr. Campbell gave an update from a recent meeting on Federal Health Care Reform and its impact on insurance plans including rising premiums over the next several years.

Dr. Campbell also relayed information from Health Insurance Executive Committee meeting and a Regional Office of Education meeting emphasizing new vaccinations for the coming flu season, and announced upcoming IASA Western Division meeting in Bushnell and the IASB Fall Dinner Meeting hosted by La Harpe.

Dr. Campbell reported an additional $68,548 in one-time Federal Job stimulus money the district may be able to utilize as a result of recent federal legislation.

In addition to approving previous board minutes, financial report and payment of bills, the board held the FY 2011 budget hearing and adopting the budget as presented, approved the Health/Life Safety Amendment and approved voting to adopt the Western Division Bylaws, approved the Annual Application for Recognition of Schools and the first reading of Press policy updates, accepted the Administrative Compensation Report, amended the FY 2011 school calendar, and authorized the deletion of closed session recordings made at least 18 months prior to the current meeting according to district policy.

The school board accepted with regrets the letter of retirement from bus driving submitted by Harry Bradley, approved the hiring of Todd Porter as Assistant 5/6 Grade Boys' Basketball, and approved Bill Shipman for an a.m. regular bus route and Tim Purdy as a p.m. regular route. The board also approved Jessica Rutherford as cafeteria helper and Jennie Boyer as sub cook or aide.

Principal McKeown noted that we have 7 new students since the August board meeting.

The junior high baseball team went undefeated to the regional game which ended a very good season.

La Harpe students have been though the first universal screening and the first fire drill, have had school pictures taken and have gone through Bus Safety training, and a successful Open House.

Several teachers have received training to use the new Promethean boards which will also be demonstrated at an upcoming school board meeting.