The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The La Harpe school board had 3 candidates on the ballot for 4 open seats at the April 2, 2019 election.
The regular April school board meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. to include the reorganizational meeting. The board will also appoint a member to fill the empty seat.
The following is an overview of La Harpe school board information for the last few months.
In November and December the La Harpe and Dallas school boards cooperated in a joint superintendent search which culminated with hiring Dr. Michelle Lee, who began work on January 1, 2019 as superintendent for both La Harpe and Dallas districts, bringing, to our benefit, twenty years of administrative experience.
In February, Dr. Lee began the principal search and, along with Interim Principal Brad Kenser, board members, teachers and support staff, she interviewed candidates for the principal position.
In March, the board approved Sara Ryner as La Harpe Elementary/Junior High Principal beginning July 1, 2019.
The La Harpe and Dallas boards approved a shared counselor, Kendrah Ruebush, a shared psychologist, Haley Humes, and athletic co-op coaches for 2019-2020.
Ryan Hopper and Peyton Porter will coach baseball, Ryan Hopper and Matt Melvin will coach 7/8 boys basketball, Courtney Rude will coach 7/8 girls basketball, Leah Nickols and Courtney Rude will coach 7/8 volleyball, Beth Newton will coach cross country, Rod Shipman and Karl Schaefer will coach 5/6 boys basketball, Tiffany Wibbell and Jack Wibbell will coach 5/6 girls basketball, Stephanie Pindell and Nichole Bough will coach 5/6 volleyball, and Grant James and Courtney Rude will coach track.
Additional coaches will be approved as recommendations are brought to the boards.
The La Harpe Board approved Macy Smith as preschool paraprofessional, Chris Howard as custodian, and Kris Reische as a volunteer aide.
The board added Special Ed Coordinator to Madison Mershon's position and Joanna Sholl as manager of the Student Information System-both for the remainder of the current school year.
The board served a reduction-in-force notice to Sarah Keck who will be teaching next year at another district.
The administration and board have been working on many projects such as completing a camera system installation in the main school buildings, removing a few trees, looking into taking down the Corry house, re-working plans for school construction, partnering with the PTO to add a couple of water filling stations, and working with Pepsi and the Eagle Boosters toward replacing the gymnasium scoreboard.
Dr. Lee is studying the districts financial history and keeping the board up on pending legislation regarding the length of the school day, teacher salary mandates and minimum wage increases for support staff.
Dr. Lee also plans to build in additional emergency days to next year's school calendar. More district information will be forthcoming after the April 23 meeting.
La Harpe School Board regular meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month.
Agendas and approved minutes are posted on the website at laharpeeagles.org.