La Harpe CSD #347

Staff Supports La Harpe Superintendent Amid Tensions with Board

Note on Minutes: These details come from the original January 20 draft minutes obtained via FOIA request. The minutes were not approved at the February regular meeting. A rewritten version with all public comments removed was approved at the March regular meeting.

The La Harpe Community School District Board of Education held its regular meeting on January 20, in the board room. President Dustin Detherage called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

All seven board members were present: Dana Blythe, Joni Dowell, Chad Burt, Detherage, Josh Gebhardt, Leandra Deitrich, and Josh Walker. Superintendent Dr. Gladu, Principal Ryan Hopper, and Board Secretary Liz McCarter also attended. A large crowd of parents, staff members, and community residents filled the room, leading to an unusually lengthy and emotional public comment period both before and after closed session.

Public Comments

Public comments opened with Brian Covert, who voiced dissatisfaction with the 7th grade boys’ basketball season and Coach Matt Miller. 

Covert criticized the decision to not play starters late in the season, noting the team began with a winning record but recorded no wins after December 12. He said the starters looked rusty during regionals.

The majority of comments centered on district leadership and workplace culture. Several staff members and parents expressed strong support for Superintendent Dr. Gladu. 

Mrs. Simmons presented a letter to the board and described how Dr. Gladu had stabilized the district, improved staff quality, reduced turnover, and fostered a supportive environment. She expressed serious concerns about a toxic situation in the elementary school caused by one staff member who allegedly treated colleagues as less important and used her spouse’s board position for intimidation. 

Simmons called for formal consequences, including reprimands, documentation, possible dismissal, and removal or resignation of any complicit board member.

Mr. Hincks, a first-year teacher, credited Dr. Gladu’s intelligent, compassionate, and hardworking leadership for creating a positive, collaborative culture. He said staff were shocked and upset at the possibility of her departure. Mrs. Hensley thanked Dr. Gladu and Principal Hopper for their support and stated she had no concerns with Kayla Gebhardt in her classroom. She clarified that she was not asking for Josh Gebhardt’s resignation. Lacey Barrera spoke of Kayla Gebhardt’s high integrity, while Leesa Swanson and Mrs. Garrison also voiced appreciation for Dr. Gladu’s helpfulness.

Mrs. Garrison then read a letter signed by 21 staff members requesting that Board Member Josh Gebhardt resign. 

The letter cited lost of confidence in his professionalism due to alleged retaliation, lack of confidentiality, threatening language, and unprofessional actions by both Josh and his wife Kayla.  It expressed fear that Dr. Gladu was being harassed or bullied into resigning and urged the board to retain her.

Carrie Finch, announcing her retirement at the end of the 2029-2030 school year, voiced full support for Dr. Gladu but stated she did not support calls for Gebhardt’s resignation. She noted she would have gladly taken Kayla as a student teacher if it had fit her college requirements.

Kayla Gebhardt’s written statement, read by President Detherage, expressed support for Dr. Gladu’s grant work and resource management. 

She defended her own professionalism, denied using her husband’s position for personal benefit, and stated that neither she nor Josh had filed formal complaints against Dr. Gladu or other staff. She emphasized that they would not be intimidated into leaving their roles. (Kayla Gebhardt’s resignation was accepted at the February regular meeting.)

Additional Public Comments After Closed Session

After the board returned from closed session, several staff members remained to continue expressing concerns. 

Laura Jones highlighted the number of tears shed by employees and questioned why Dr. Gladu felt unsupported by the board. 

When asked if the district’s lawyer would address the board, President Detherage replied “no.” Blythe assured the group that the majority of the board supported Dr. Gladu and did not want her to leave. Jones raised fears of retaliation against staff who signed the letter calling for Gebhardt’s resignation. Josh Gebhardt responded that he had heard both sides and wanted everyone to be happy and enjoy working at the school. Detherage noted that much information was confidential and could not be discussed publicly, while encouraging staff to bring forward documented concerns.

Gebhardt openly stated that he shares all information he receives, including texts, emails, voicemails, and closed session details, with his wife Kayla. This prompted further discussion about confidentiality. Mrs. Cox stated the district would not be in its current positive position without Dr. Gladu. She referenced a past incident involving Kayla going through her desk, which she had tried to move past, but said it had been brought back up. Cox expressed concern over lack of accountability and discipline for Kayla, noting tension in the halls and that other paraprofessionals felt intimidated. Laura Jones asked what action had been taken regarding documented text messages in which Kayla allegedly used inappropriate and derogatory slang about other staff members. Detherage responded that issues must be properly reported and documented, describing some accounts as “water cooler talk” or hearsay. He noted that the documented desk incident had resulted in discipline.

Mr. Hincks reiterated his confusion, saying he had been told Dr. Gladu’s job was in jeopardy.  Board Member Dowell stated emphatically that no board member had ever wanted Gladu gone.  Board Member Deitrich added that the board feels blessed to have both the current teachers and Dr. Gladu, praised the improved appearance and direction of the school, and expressed sadness over the letter calling for Gebhardt’s resignation. She hoped everyone could find peace and remember their shared goals. President Detherage addressed the group, stating there had never been any board discussion about removing Dr. Gladu and that a great deal of misinformation was circulating.

Key Board Actions

The board unanimously approved the consent agenda (7-0), set the 8th Grade Graduation for May 22, 2026 (7-0), appointed new auditors (7-0), and awarded the $3,450,000 cafeteria addition project to Maas Construction (6-1, with Dowell opposed). A tree removal project was tabled. After closed session, the board extended Principal Ryan Hopper’s contract through June 30, 2031, with an 8% salary increase for 2026-2027. The meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.