The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The La Harpe School Board held the FY2005 Budget Hearing before their regular meeting Monday night, September 13, in the School District Library.
School board members in attendance were Lawrence Johnson, Dan Horton, Cindy Wear, Barbara Cox, Ricky Johnson and Mark Irish.
Also present were Jo Campbell, Charlotte Davis, Pat Deitrich, Sherry Berg from Carl Sandburg College and Bobbi Melvin a WIU student. Lila McKeown arrived at the meeting following the football and volleyball games.
The board approved the employment of Connie Greenig as a 1-1 teacher aide, Jason Finch as head 5/6 grade girls basketball coach, Melissa Burt as assistant 5/6 grade girls basketball coach and Judy Burt as a substitute cook.
They accepted with regret the resignation of Krista Little as a 1-1 teacher aide.
In other business, the board approved the FY2005 budget, the first reading of Board Policy 6:65 - Student Social and Emotional Development, 7:250 - Student Support Services, and 7:250 - Administrative Procedure - Protocol for Responding to Students with Social, Emotional or Mental Health Problems.
Also approved was the Annual Application for Recognition of La Harpe CUSD No. 335, the support personnel salaries for the 2004 - 05 school year, approved changing the October board meeting date to October 18 and the November meeting date to November 15.
The board approved a building use request by Carrie Finch for the elementary gym on September 19, approved a request for reimbursement for a 3 semester hour college course from Stephanie Mencel, and voted to participate in the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation grant program that will update school lighting systems to more efficient technology.
High School Principal Lila McKeown reported that 27 high school boys are participating in football, 28 girls in volleyball, 4 girls in cheerleading, 5 girls in flag corps and 7 students in the marching band.
A Patriot Day service was held on Friday, September 10 for anyone wanting to attend.
Five juniors were selected for the Hancock County Youth Leadership Academy. They will be attending meetings once a month for the school year. The students are Madison Beals, Michelle Kornegay, Lisa Irish, Justin Sparrow and Mitch Worley.
Plans are being made for Homecoming activities. Next week, a Homecoming Work schedule will be tried to allow all students to become involved. Each day students will be working during different class periods. Students will only lose one class time during the week. Each class will be competing for floats, door decorations, street decorations and a banner. They will receive points for each category to determine the Homecoming Champion.
The Anatomy class will be assisting with the blood drive at the clubhouse on September 16.
Elementary/Junior High School Principal Charlotte Davis reported that the current enrollment for PreK - 8 is 326 students.
Principal Davis also reported that a Prevention Specialist from the Hancock Mental Health Center will be presenting Project Alert curriculum to the 6th graders and Project Alert Review to the 7th graders this semester. This will take place during study skills class so students will not lose their study hall time.
The 8th grade is scheduled to attend a Career Fair on September 23 at Carthage.
There are 24 boys out for baseball this year and 21 girls out for 7/8 grade girls basketball.
Ricky Johnson read the Ag report prepared by Paul Mealiff.
On August 14, as part of Summerfest, 39 FFA members and Mr. Mealiff were sold at the annual Labor Auction. We appreciate the auctioneer, Dave Hobby and everyone who helped with the purchases. A portion of the proceeds will be given to the North Hancock Ambulance Service.
On September 1, 42 FFA members along with chaperones, David Hobby, Mark Irish and Harley Jones, attended the Farm Progress Show at Alleman, Iowa.
Ten members helped direct traffic at the Grape Festival Parade on September 5 in Nauvoo. Those members included: Genessa Cox, Lacey Pence, Mike Morgan, Claire McKee, Mark Morgan, Megan Poulter, Kevin Mershon, Kaela Covert, Kevin Penrod and Keith Rittenhouse.
Joni Dowell is taking the Independent Horticulture Class this fall and is responsible for the planting and care of the 98 Poinsettia cuttings potted by Thursday afternoon. The plants should be ready for sale around the first part of December.
Seven members competed in the Section XI FFA Trap Shoot at Smokin Gun Hunting Club, near Hamilton, during the morning of September 11. Those competing were: Ted Geissler, Jesse Palmer, Aaron Logan, Dillon McKeown, Randy Bray, Skyler Pence and Seth Sparrow. They were accompanied by Ann Logan.
Nearly 175 people attended the annual La Harpe FFA Plot Day September 11. Everyone was appreciated who donated money and attendance prizes. It helped make this activity a big success.