The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The La Harpe school board has 4 seats open for the April 2, 2019 consolidated election. Candidates may obtain nominating petitions at the County Clerk's office in the Courthouse in Carthage.
Petitions may be circulated now and the candidate filing period begins December 10 and ends December 17, 2018.
In July the La Harpe School Board held a Committee of the Whole meeting and regular meeting at which they reviewed and then approved bills and policy updates including an annual approval of the Internet Use Policy.
The board approved plans related to student wellness, pest management, and the annual audit services. The faculty and student handbooks were reviewed and approved.
The board resolved to sell the school van by sealed bids and authorized obtaining a line of credit for use until property tax revenues were received.
The board approved support staff salaries for the coming school year, set the new budget hearing date for the regular September board meeting, approved the replacement of an A/C rooftop unit, and reviewed the last six months of closed meeting minutes.
The July meeting was Dr. Olson's last meeting as superintendent before moving to Arizona. The board approved the interim superintendent contract with Dr. Jo Campbell to start July 30.
At the August regular school board meeting, the board approved bills, the preliminary budget, and new textbooks for junior high social studies.
The number of regular school bus routes was reduced from five to four due to one less leased bus. Once the bridge is replaced in Durham Township, the school district will save approximately 890 miles per year on the Lacrosse/Durham area route.
Updates to the support personnel salary schedule were approved. The board approved a sub cook, a personal leave days request, and a resignation from the anticipated school psychologist. Student enrollment is a little above 200.
The Tech/Facilities Committee of the Board met twice in September to gather information about installing school district facility security cameras.
The board approved camera systems for the remaining bus, school van and in October approved a security camera system for the school facilities.
In September, the regular school board meeting was held. The board approved bills, held the budget hearing and approved the budget, and approved the annual report of teacher and administrator salaries and benefits. The board discussed refunding bonds, security cameras, the superintendent search, and aging playground equipment.
The board approved stipends for the principal for taking on the Special Ed Coordinator and Athletic Scheduler positions and discussed the persisting need for a school psychologist and counselor.
An aide position was added for an individual student. 270 new books were added to the school library due to a generous literacy grant received last year from Dollar General.
Donna Grisham retired as custodian and the Dallas City Coop Coaches for 5/6 athletics were approved.
Due to the regrettable and untimely passing of Principal Lila McKeown, the board held a special meeting on September 24, 2018 to discuss recommendations and approve an interim principal contract for Mr. Brad Kenser. Mr. Kenser started work the next day and will finish out the school year at La Harpe.
On October 10, 2018, the joint DC/LH Superintendent Search Committee met with Tom Leahy, Director of Executive Searches for the Illinois State Board of Education. Leahy updated the committee with current number of applicants, a timeline of the search process, the joint districts brochure, online survey results, and sample interview questions.
The Search Committee will meet again with Mr. Leahy on November 8th at which time he will present 6 reviewed applications to the committee and discuss group interview procedures.
The committee will conduct interviews on November 13 and 14 and from these will take 3 applications to both full boards to conduct second interviews on November 29.
Site visits and contract preparation will occur before the final appointment of the superintendent at the December regular meetings.
In the event a January start date is not possible, the interim pool will again be accessed.
At their regular October meeting, the school board adopted a resolution to publicly recognize the many contributions of Mrs. Lila J McKeown to the La Harpe Schools and Community.
The board also approved custodial subs, an athletic scheduler, a special ed. coordinator, and directed the superintendent to contract with a school counselor for the coming semester.
The board approved bills, reviewed the Annual Financial Report prepared by the auditor, discussed a joint agreement with the city council to apply for a grant to improve sidewalks for students who walk and bike to school, and the board approved a Christmas gift for each employee.
La Harpe School Board meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in Room 104. Agendas and approved minutes are posted on the website at laharpeeagles.org.