La Harpe CSD #347

La Harpe School Board Hears Public Comments

By: Michael Rodeffer, Quill Reporter

President Dustin Detherage called the meeting to order of the Board of Education of La Harpe Community School District #347at 6:00 p.m. on April 21st.

Under public comment, Dave Clover spoke to the school board.  Clover, the Junior High head girls basketball coach recently won the State Championship with the 8th grade girls. He and the team had previously won the 2025 State Championship as 7th graders.  

Clover said that a lie about him had been reported to the school board. Specifically, Clover noted, he had taken the girls to a steak house which the girls had wanted to go to while at the state tournament.  Clover stated he had agreed to pay any excess dollar amount that the school district didn’t approve or pay.  Clover noted the board members were told that he had over spent on meals but no mention was made of him paying the difference.  Clover did reimburse the school for the difference.

Clover also stated he didn’t like the fact that the "unapproved minutes" had been published in The Quill of which the article had comments about a teacher and board member.

Clover also added that he wanted to thank the board members and Principal Ryan Hopper for all their support.

Amy Simmons, teacher at La Harpe, also addressed the school board during public comment.  Simmons noted the Science Olympiad Team did exceptionally well at state competition.  Simmons stated the team was in the top 10 in 13 of 29 events and also earned 9 medals which they had to be in the top 5 to earn.

Simmons asked the board if the Olympiad could become a regular class.

Board unanimously approved the consent agenda, minus the bills.  

The consent agenda included:

•approval of agenda

•approval of minutes of the March 24, 2026 regular meeting

•review and approval of financial reports

•review of individual fund balance reports

•2025-2026. Final public-school calendar

•2026-2027 seeking fuel bid approved for superintendent

•FOIA requests

•verbatim closed meeting records-deletion of recordings 18 months and older

•authorization to expend funds to cover expenses and liabilities between July 1, 2026 and FY27 budget adoption

•permission for Superintendent to seek bids for 2 new boiler units.

Burt asked about $8900 legal fee and $700 cost for a new camera.  Detherage noted most of the legal fees were for investigations conducted.  Janitor Mike Siegfried noted a camera by the office had been replaced.

Board unanimously approved paying of bills.  Board noted 1st reading of Board Policy.

Architect Jacques Reynolds addressed the board and noted the addition for the cafeteria project would start the second week of May.  Reynolds discussed several options to be decided for project including colors for floor tile, wall paint, wall tile, etc.  

Mike Siegfried, janitor, noted the boiler system is in poor shape and should be planning on replacement.  Detherage noted a maintenance grant might be available.

Ryan Hopper, Principal, noted the Family reading night was last Wednesday, April 15, which Susan Bray leads every year along with other staff.  Hopper stated it was for Pre K-4 grades and they had a good turnout.  Hopper noted May 14th will be the elementary music program and elementary awards, May 15th will be field day, May 18th is PTO summer sendoff, May 19th is Junior High athletic and academic awards, May 22nd is graduation.  The Elementary program and Junior High awards will be during the day.  

Board discussed meeting twice a month since the construction project is ready to start.  The next meeting is scheduled for May 7th at 6 p.m.

Board entered closed session at 7:06 p.m.

After returning to regular session, Max Richardson was hired as boys basketball assistant coach and Lynda Kruzanwas hired as a substitute bus driver.

Answering roll call was: Dana Blythe, Joni Dowell, Chad Burt, Dustin Detherage, Josh Gebhardt, and Leandra Deitrich.  

Principal Ryan Hopper and Board Secretary Liz McCarter was also in attendance.  Board member Josh Walker and Superintendent Janet Gladu were absent.  

Visitors in attendance were:  school janitor Mike Siegfried, architect Jacques Reynolds, Randy Shumaker, Steve and Laura Jones, John Quigle, Vivaldi Roberts, Ned Eckhardt, Dave Clover, and teachers Amy Simmons, Niki Pence, and Courtney Painter, and Quill reporter Mike Rodeffer.

March La Harpe School Board Meeting Highlights

By Michael Rodeffer, Quill Reporter

Superintendent Janet Gladu stated that Michelle Detherage and Niki Pence were Team Members Of The Month for January and February.

Principal Ryan Hopper stated the Science Olympiad Team placed 3rd at WIU and have qualified to compete as a team at state in Champaign at the University of Illinois on Saturday, April 18th.  Hopper noted that the team placed in the top 4 in 18 of 23 events.

La Harpe School Board: voted 7-0 to: 

• not approve Elizabeth McCarter’s resignation as board recording secretary.

• accept the recommendation of the uniform grievance procedure for Julie Garrison.

• accept the recommendation of the uniform grievance procedure for Janet Gladu.

• approve the deposit of $2.3 million into a 13-week CDAR’s account.

• extend Ryan Wilhite’s lease on the FFA farm ground for one year in the amount of $3,415 per year.

•  approve the two-year contract through June 30, 2028 with Forever and Ever as the district’s photographer for student and activity photos.

(taken from the approved March minutes)