The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Staff Changes
At the La Harpe School Board regular August 9th meeting, in the School District Library, board members made decisions on staff and heard reports.
In attendance were Barbara Cox, Mark Irish, Ricky Johnson, and Ed Pence. Also present were Jo Campbell, Charlotte Davis, Lila McKeown, Pat Deitrich, John Quigle, and Elaine Long from Carl Sandburg College.
Ms. Long gave the board the latest edition of the Envoy Publication which tells about programs at the college.
The board accepted with regret the resignation of Paula Blythe as English teacher and librarian.
Mrs. Blythe has taken a position at Edison School in Macomb as librarian. They also accepted with regret the resignation of Monalisa Graves as a teacher aide, Laurie Magee as a teacher helper, and Liz Blaesing as assistant high school volleyball coach.
The board approved employment of Candy Lee and Jennifer Deitrich as elementary teacher helpers and Adam Link as assistant junior high basketball coach.
In other business, the board approved the tentative FY2005 budget, approved a bid by Harold Northup to do the concrete work for the basement of the new building trades house, approved the addition of a $3.00 admission fee for senior citizens to co-op athletic events, approved board policy which will enable a teacher to apply sick leave days that have been accumulated above the 230 maximum toward their TRS service retirement credit, accepted the rental bid from Watts Copy Systems, Inc. for four Sharp AR-507 copy machines, voted to provide $2500 for legal fees regarding preparation of the Convergence Petition by the Committee of 10's legal counsel, approved a request by Robin Thompson to use the playground for soccer practice during August 23-October 29th after school on Monday and Thursday, and approved requests from Pam Sparrow, Charlotte Davis and Paul Mealiff for reimbursement for college courses.
High school Principal Lila McKeown reported that she had been holding meetings with teachers planning the English curriculum and SMILE team members planning first day activities at the high school. Student and faculty handbooks, report card schedules, and forms for registration have been revised and completed.
Elementary/Junior High Principal Charlotte Davis reported that the Eagle's Booster Club met on July 28th.
They sorted through some old basketball uniforms and decided to sell them at Summerfest for a small amount.
The Boosters voted to purchase new uniforms for the 5th and 6th grade boys' and girls' basketball teams.
The District is still in need of a 5/6 head girls' basketball coach. Baseball practice started on Monday, August 4th.
Ricky Johnson read the Ag Report prepared by Paul Mealiff. Six students exhibited 46 projects at the Section XI Vo-Ag Fair on July 19th and 20th. Anna Ziegler was awarded Champion for her fruit and vegetable exhibits and Morgan Mohr received the Reserve Champion Rosettes for her garden produce and Rate of Gain steer. Morgan also had swine exhibits. Justin Mohr had the Champion Duroc gilt and showed his "A" rated steer. Alex Bundy won the Champion Shorthorn heifer class and received "A" ratings on all his beef animals. J.D. Hobby and Justin Sparrow both rated "A" for their beef steers. Anna Ziegler attended the Illinois State FFA Leadership Camp at Monticello, on July 28th-31st.
Over 25 FFA members and friends attended the second fun meeting for the summer on August 3rd. Activities included softball, swimming, and pizza.
The annual FFA Labor Auction was held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 14th at the City Park Bandstand during Summerfest. Part of the proceeds were donated to the North Hancock Ambulance Service.
Upcoming activities include the Farm Progress Show at Allaman, IA, on September 1st, directing traffic at the Nauvoo Grape Festival, and on September 5th at the Plot Day on September 11th.