The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The La Harpe School Board in regular session March 8th, made several cuts in employment Monday evening.
School board members in attendance were Lawrence Johnson, Dan Horton, Cindy Wear, Mark Irish, Barb Cox, Ricky Johnson, and Ed Pence.
Also present were Jo Campbell, Charles Apt, Charlotte Davis, pat Deitrich, and a large group of teachers and people from the community.
Presentations were made by Paula Blythe, Ann Logan, Melissa Sturlic, Joanna Sholl, and Arlynn Hitz concerning reductions in staff and programs which are being considered in order to cut expenses.
The board approved Reduction-In-Force Resolutions for Andrea Ferguson, Paul Mealiff, Pam Sparrow, Joanna Sholl, Martha Bartlett, and all of the teacher aides and helpers based upon economic necessity.
Some will be recalled when special education needs are determined for the next school year.
Other personnel decisions made by the board were the employment of Charlotte Davis as a principal for the 2004-05 school year, the employment of second year teachers, Sarah Kerfoot and Valeri Dittmer for the 2004-05 school year, and the resignations, with regret, of teachers Nathan Kotleba and Mary Eves and bus driver Earl Cox, and the employment of Ryan Duffie and Tyler Walker as assistant high school basketball coaches for the 2003 baseball season.
Other business items approved were a request for reimbursement by Jack McKinnon for a college course he has taken at WIU, AG SCI FOR TCH-AGRI 504, and requests by Melissa Sturlic for use of the elementary gym, by Rena Wiley for use of the school library, and by Robin Thompson for use of the playground.
The board also voted to authorize Supt. Campbell to submit a FY05 School Construction Grant Application, to schedule a special joint board meting with the Boards from Carthage, Dallas City, and Nauvoo-Colusa on March 17th on the third floor of the Hancock County Courthouse in Carthage for the purpose of discussing district reorganization, and to schedule a meeting with the Stronghurst board on a date yet to be determined.
Elementary/Junior High Principal Charlotte Davis reported that the La Harpe Jump Rope for Heart collected $5589.20,
Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for March 25th and 26th, Cindy Bruns and Melissa Sturlic attended Star Online Training, Melody Hensley and Hollie Gebhardt will be attending a Literacy training for autistic children, Sherry Beals and Janet McKoon will attend a Balanced Literacy training.
Laurena Hunter will attend two athletic meetings, and Charlotte Davis, Martha Bartlett, Cindy Pollock and Sarah Kerfoot attended Student Assistance Booster training. Currently, we have four Student Assistance Teams in the district. Martha Bartlett oversees the three in the elementary building and Ann Logan oversees the high school team.
These teams of teachers meet weekly to discuss student referrals and arrange for additional help, either academically or by contacting outside agencies to assist the students and the families.
The 7th and 8th grade girls and boys basketball teams will be attending the IESA March Madness activities on March 17th at the Peoria Civic Center, the 6th grade will go to Carthage for the Body Walk that is sponsored by the Hancock Health Department on March 30th, and the 5th grade will attend a Bureau of Cultural Affairs presentation at WIU on March 25th.
The Illinois Scholastic Achievement Test will be administered to students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 beginning on March 29th and running through the second week in April. Teachers work hard throughout the year to prepare students for this assessment which is mandated by the state and the No Child Left Behind Legislation.
The 7th and 8th grade volleyball teams won the Regional championships.
The 5th and 6th grade boys basketball teams won the St. Paul Tournament championships. The Scholastic Bowl meets have started. The Junior High Solo and Ensemble Contest will be a La Harpe on March 27th. The Recognition and Awards program is scheduled for March 30th.
High School Principal Charles Apt reported: