The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The La Harpe Community School District 347 board of education received Chris Schwarz' letter of resignation, employed Patrisha Clark as science teacher, and employed Brian Sullivan as assistant baseball coach.
The action took place at the September 16 board meeting held last month.
The board also approved Sonja Strange and Jan Lester as sub cooks and the following additional athletic coop coaches: Hannah Brown as head coach with Claire Finch and assistant coach for junior high volleyball, Shawn Hopper as head coach with Brian Sullivan as assistant coach for 5th/6th girls' basketball, and Randy May as coach for scholastic bowl.
The board signed a letter nominating board secretary, Jeanne Clayton for the Holly Jack Outstanding Service Award. Clayton expressed her gratitude to the board members for their show of support.
The board approved the consent agenda, payment of bills, the Application for Recognition of Schools, the Annual Administrative Compensation Report, and the Teacher Salary and Benefit Report.
The district received a $5670 IEMA School Security Grant to be used for installation of a visitor entry security system. The board discussed the base proposal including camera and buzzer system at two entry points, and additional options for regulating and expanding the system. The board agreed to provide an additional $2185 to accomplish the total project. The project is expected to be completed this fall.
Superintendent Olson gave the board a copy of the recent IASB Bulletin which includes information on the upcoming school board election.
Olson noted an upcoming Western Division Dinner meeting at Southeastern and reported on the recent patriotic-themed open house, MAPP testing, city council's central office tree removal plan, the most recent REAP award amount, and the coming IASA Conference in Springfield.
Olson also updated the board on two recent FOIA requests.
Principal McKeown provided information about the spring 2014 ISAT data-the year of the new cut scores. This school year, students will no longer take the ISAT test, but instead will take the PARCC test.
McKeown gave updates on baseball, girls' basketball, elementary and junior high AIMS web benchmarking, mandatory bus safety drills, and school pictures.
McKeown and Kelly Lafferty attended a principal/secretary meeting at the ROE.
To view online agendas, news releases, and approved minutes, visit the school board heading, school board reports link at www.laharpeeagles.org.