The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
On April 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM, School Board President Dustin Dethrage of the La Harpe Community School District #347 called the meeting to order. A Moment of Silence was observed.
President Dustin Detherage stated that anyone speaking about a specific staff member’s performance needed to wait to express their concerns in a closed session, per policy on personnel privacy.
Marlie Deeter read a letter stating that she had spoken with several employees who felt undervalued and unheard. She reported that some staff members are unprofessional and dismiss concerns that should be addressed. Marlie suggested trainings on professionalism.
She also believes it is important for staff to be able to share concerns and suggestions about the overall dynamic, culture and environment in the work place anonymously. Leandra requested a copy of Marlie’s concerns.
The following items were approved unanimously on the consent agenda: Minutes from March 12, 18, 20, 26, 27, 2025, regular minutes, financial reports, payment of bills, and the deletion of verbatim closed session recording older that 18 months, 2024-2025 Final School Calendar, permission for the Superintendent to seek fuel bids, 2025-2026 IESA Membership and FOIA requests.
Stella Bennett was recognized for winning first prize in the 36th Annual Carl Sandburg Poetry contest. She presented her poem, “Cry Me A Rive,” to the board. The board presented her with a signed certificate for her achievement.
Superintendent Dr. Gladu presented President Dustin Detherage with a certificate that IASB sent to Dustin for his outstanding continued service to La Harpe schools.
Superintendent Dr. Gladu stated that we have not charged student registration fees for the last two years. In the past the student fees were $70 per year. The board elected to waive student fees again next year and set fees for $0. It was unanimously approved.
Unanimously approved Superintendent Dr. Gladu to expend funds to cover expenses and liabilities between July 1, 2025 and the Fiscal year 2026 budget adoption.
Superintendent Gladu stated that they received a quote from Verkada for the camera installation for one camera at the bus barn. The largest part of the quote was in the cellular connection.
They are working to see if there is a different way to get the signal from the bus barn to the main building. Due to the cost, there is no action on this item. Superintendent Gladu stated that she will continue to look for other alternatives.
Superintendent Gladu stated that they do not have official results from the election. Detherage and Superintendent Gladu met with the architects. They are planning on having the project ready for bid by January 2026. With construction starting March/April 2026. They are estimating 8-9 months of construction. The potential move-in date for the cafeteria is January 2027.
The architects recommend combining the bathroom projects with the cafeteria project to save money. They are estimating to have a contract ready in the next month to continue the project. Nothing will be done until the election is final.
As of April 15th, Superintendent Gladu stated she didn’t have the final election results. She did not expect them until April 22.
Unanimously approved to set a special board meeting was set for April 23 to sine die the current Board and seat the new board of education.
Mr. Hopper talked about the Art Festival. There was a great turnout. PTO will have some great surprises at the end of the year with the funds raised. He mentioned that Miss Hensley had baby chicks that hatched and the kids were loving it.
He also mentioned that State Testing was completed. Students enjoyed the daily prizes from the local businesses. He stated that AIMS Web testing was to begin the week of May 5th. He mentioned Teacher Appreciation would be May 5th-9th.
The school as well as some organizations have some special things planned for the staff. Hopper talked about Science Olympiad and their accomplishments at the State Competition in Champaign.
They placed 18th overall and 4 students came home with medals in their events. He stated that everything with transportation was going smoothly. Dr. Gladu stated that the Science Olympiad wanted to attend the next month’s meeting.
She let the board know she is still waiting on the plates for the new bus. She stated that Courtney Painter was the March Staff Member of the Month.
The board entered closed session at 6:41 p.m. and returned to open session at 6:42 p.m.
Upon returning to open meeting at 6:43 p.m., Detherage stated that Melissa Burt with her union reps Ashley Cox and Julie Garrison waived her right to exception #1. Detherage returned the meeting to public comment.
Melissa Burt stated that in an email from Detherage short term approval was taken off the table in March 2025. She read the email from Detherage.
She stated that she has done regular check ins that were required with little to no feedback and no mentoring from Superintendent Dr. Gladu.
She reported she was given until March of 2026 to complete everything required by the board and she was let go in March of 2025.
She stated she was not given a reason as to why she was let go. She reported that she was let go for teaching performance and effectiveness, licensure, and failure to timely procure adequate licensure as directed.
She said of her last three evaluations, one was excellent, the other two were proficient. She stated that Craig Burns said she has every right to be frustrated because she has jumped through all the hoops she had been asked to jump through.
He told her however, the board had taken all of the proper steps. Melissa told the board, “just because you took the proper steps it doesn’t mean you did the right thing.”
She states that she is disappointed and would like another chance. Melissa reported that she did submit an application to reapply for the job after other staff members told her she should. She stated office staff saw her turn in the application and she never received a call or an interview.
Heather Moore said that as a parent she feels like the board has made a mistake. Band meant a lot to her growing up and it means a lot to her son who plays the trumpet. She stated that he has come a long way with Mrs. Burt as his teacher.
She reported that you have to have the right name to play sports here, but you don’t have to have a certain name to be in the band. She said that as a parent she disagrees with the decision the board made.
Aspen Beasle stated that she had learned so much from Mrs. Burt. She said the only reason she had stayed in band and is continuing band in High School is because of Mrs. Burt and the influence she had in her life.
She said that she is an excellent and inspiring teacher. Aspen stated that you can tell Mrs. Burt loves the students and loves what she does.
Lacey Barrera, Aspen’s Mom, reported that since they have moved here they have seen Junior High teachers come and go. She stated that Mrs. Burt being let go makes her sad for the children.
She said her experience with band an with Mrs. Burt has been exceptional. She stated that Mrs. Burt is the reason Aspen has done High School Band. She stated that there is not a lot of representation from LH/DC kids in activities at Illini West.
She reported Aspen proudly represents the school at Illini West because of what Mrs. Burt has taught her. She said not many people at La Harpe supported or encouraged Aspen in music but Mrs. Burt always did. She stated that Mrs. Burt is a cheerleader for her students and cares about each one of them.
Lacey said Mrs. Burt puts a lot into her job and she cares about the creative kids who don’t get a lot of support.
Stacey Pence, Melissa Burt’s cousin, said she told Mrs. Burt in the beginning that band here sounded better than the high school band at Illini West. She said her granddaughter Tinley plays the trumpet because of Mrs. Burt and is learning to play the piano.
She said that her grandson Elliot plays the drums. Stacey stated Mrs. Burt is an asset to our community and to our school. She is local and she cares about our community.
She talked about how most of the board is local, she commented on how most of them were at least giving them some kind of eye contact.
She then stated that the Superintendent was not even making eye contact while all of them were making their comments. She stated that a little more attentiveness from Dr. Gladu would be nice.
In other business, the board approved closed session minutes from March 18.
Unanimously approved hiring of Haley Dixon and John Draws as certified staff members, and Kevin Mershon as Co-Head boys basketball coach of the 2025/2026 season.
Present were: Jake Allen, Dana Blythe, Bill Collins, Leandra Dietrich, Dustin Detherage, and Josh Walker, Superintendent Janet Gladu, Board Secretary Liz McCarter, and Principal Ryan Hopper. Josh Gebhardt was absent.
Visitors in attendance were Chad Burt, Melissa Burt, Marlie Deeter, Heather Moore, Stacey Pence, Karen Nudd, Aspen Beasley, Lacey Barrera, Nichelle Pence, Amber Pence, Courtney Painter, Ashley Cox, Julie Garrison, Cassie Bundy, Garek Mason, Joni Dowell, Stella Bennett, Danielle McIntyre, Dayna Bundy, Pan Bundy, Jonah Burt and Leslie Fisher.
The meeting adjourned at 7:02