The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The La Harpe School Board held a regular meeting Monday night, July 14th, in the School District Library. Board members in attendance were Ricky Johnson, Barbara Cox, Lawrence Johnson, Mark Irish, Cindy Wear, and Ed Pence. Also present were Jo Campbell, Charles Apt, Charlotte Davis, Pat Deitrich, John Quigle, Rena Willey, and Tracey Anders. Tracey Anders spoke to the board regarding the Parent/Teacher Advisory Committee and Rena Willey spoke to the board regarding her daughter Trena's first semester class schedule and the possibility of her accepting a position at the State Capitol in Springfield during that time.
The board approved the employment of Dianne Lozar as a 1 on 1 teacher aide and Alan Stewart as a substitute aide. They also reviewed the tentative budget and set the date, time, and place of the FY04 Budget Hearing as September 8th at 7:00 p.m. in the school district library. The budget is on display in the unit office for public inspection during regular office hours of 8 a.m.-4 p.m. In other business, they approved the second reading of the student handbooks for the 2003-04 school year, approved a building request by Cindy Anders for use of the cafeteria on July 26th for a class reunion, accepted the bids for milk and bread from Jerry's Dairy and Interstate Brands for the 2003-04 school year, adopted the support personnel salary schedules for the 2003-04 school year, authorized Superintendent Campbell to serve as the district's IMRF agent, set the date and time for the auction of the building trades house as August 16th at the site at 9:00 a.m. with an auction of used school equipment and miscellaneous items following at the school at 10:00 a.m., approved the first reading of the working hours and conditions policy for teacher aides/helpers, and approved requests for fundraisers by the junior high and the Parent/Teacher Advisory Committee.
Elementary/Junior High Principal Charlotte Davis reported that during May, June, and July, fifteen elementary and junior high teachers have been meeting to discuss various books they have read and to develop implementation plans for use in their classrooms. This has been sponsored through a grant from the Regional Office of Education. The teachers will have read five books by the end of the summer. Mr. Schmitz, Mrs. Blythe, and Mrs. Davis attended a core team technology training for a grant from the Technology Hub. This is a three year program. During the first year, the junior high team is to be trained in methods of incorporating technology into the curriculum for using it as a learning tool. K-5 teachers will be trained during year 2 and 3 of this grant period. The school-wide behavior committee is meeting August 12th to revise the plan for the FY04 school year. One of the programs that was developed last year by this committee is the Respectful Attitude Displayed. This meeting is in compliance with our school improvement plan. Teachers in K-8 will also be meeting during August to map the Science curriculum and determine how to address the gaps that may appear from our mapping activity. Special education teachers will meet on August 18th with Dr. Kelly and Mrs. Bartlett to discuss new regulations from the reauthorization of the federal law and determine procedures to use at La Harpe concerning referrals for special education services. A fund raiser to help increase the activity fund expenses that help with field trips and student activities during the school year is being scheduled for August 15-22. The brochure will be passed out at registration. Purchase of any materials (magazines or jewelry) is voluntary. This is the second year for this fund raiser.
High School Principal Charles Apt reported that the football passing league has started and will continue through July. Regular practice starts on August 13th and volleyball practice will start on August 18th. A committee made up of members of the parent/teacher advisory committee was formed to conduct several fund raisers in order to help pay for new uniforms for coop sports. They will have a concession stand with rib eye sandwiches at the Fred Gibb Car Show and a 3 on 3 basketball tournament for elementary and junior high students on that same day.
Ricky Johnson read the Ag Report prepared by Mr. Mealiff. Mr. Mealiff attended the 2003 IAVAT Inservice and Teachers Conference on June 17-20 at the Northfield Convention Center in Springfield. One of the Inservice workshops involved a tour of the Illinois Department of Agriculture Watershed Park at the State Fair Grounds. This area has ten different interactive stops which demonstrate methods of conserving and keeping our water supply clean and saving our soil including helpful insects and plants. It is aimed at elementary school age students but has a message for everyone. Many school groups tour the exhibit from March through November, and it is a popular attraction during the Illinois State Fair. The corn and soybean plots are looking good after receiving the needed moisture. Letters have been sent to the seed dealers telling them where their varieties are located and about our FFA Plot Day which will be held on Saturday, September 6th. Over 20 FFA members and guests enjoyed the July 21st chapter meeting. It included a softball game, swimming in the La Harpe pool and pizza and pop in the Ag Room. The Section XI Vo-Ag Fair will be in Macomb. Anna Ziegler will exhibit her vegetables and fruits as well as an Ag Mechanics Project, Justin Mohr will show his swine and beef animals, and Justin Sparrow will show his steer. Information is being gathered from FFA members to put on the sale bill for our annual Labor Auction which will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 26th, at the La Harpe City Park during Summerfest.