October 21, 2008 Minutes
EDUCATION LA HARPE CSD#347 October 21, 2008
The Board of Education of La Harpe Community School District #347 held a regular meeting October 21, 2008 in the school district library. President Dan Horton called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Roll Call answered by: Dan Horton, Rex Huston, Mark Irish, Deanna Stambaugh, and Pam Campbell, and Cindy Wear. Ricky Johnson was absent.
Also present: Jo Campbell, Lila McKeown, Jeanne Clayton, and visitors Jeri Bennett, Laurena Hunter, Melissa Johnson, Todd and Molly Porter.
A motion was made by Irish with second by Stambaugh to approve the minutes from the open and closed sessions of September 16, 2008 regular meeting of LCSD #347. Roll Call: Johnson, absent; Irish, Yes; Stambaugh, Yes; Campbell, Yes; Wear, Yes; Horton, Yes; Huston, Yes. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Huston with second by Horton to approve the financial report and payment of bills. Roll Call: Campbell, Yes; Irish, Yes; Huston, Yes; Horton, Yes; Stambaugh, Yes; Johnson, Absent; Wear, Yes. Motion carried.
Public Presentations:
The Board heard a presentation by Melissa Johnson on RtI (Response to Intervention), a state-mandated plan for carrying out classroom instruction in reading and language. The purpose of the program is to bridge the gap in instruction between regular and special education students using interventions, involving more staff in the process and eventually utilizing computer programs designed to streamline implementation.
Board Committee Reports:
Curriculum Committee: no report was given.
Facilities Committee: The board heard a facilities committee report by Irish about an initial meeting with the architects. Mrs. McKeown had furnished floors plan ideas to Mr. Huff and his team who will be providing scenarios for building updates, remodeling, additions, energy-saving items, and much more information for the board to consider in the future. Horton mentioned the board's desire to house all students under one roof and the importance of gathering information now and for combined school/community involvement as we look toward planning future improvements. Irish shared the architect's statement that the issues related to the west wall would need to be addressed right away. Mrs. McKeown spoke of the boilers having been inspected and issues with the old building furnace and controlling temperatures in the new building.
Policy Committee: no report was given
Technology Committee: Irish reported of the meeting with Computing Made Easy about issues with our current server. A new server will be purchased with a 3-year warranty service, networking and hardware tech support, web hosting, and staff professional development included.
Superintendent's Report:
Mr. Campbell stated that the board must designate an attendee to the annual conference as a delegate. He also spoke of the Administrator's Academy workshop which focused on technology.
Ms. Hunter presented information from IWHS Athletic Director Troy Noble about creating a Hancock County Boy's Basketball Hall of Fame with the participation of each of the boards of education in the county. Hunter will contact 2 community members who will bring 5 nominations each year to the board for approval. Joan Seigworth, Charles Apt, and Don Stevens were generally agreed upon by the board as good potential candidates to ask.
Principal's report was given.
Mrs. McKeown gave an update on the contracted services of Carol Bell for staff computer training and use of technology in the classroom. She also had the annual meeting with teachers to review the Crisis Plan. Some changes were made in the school's plan to better coordinate with the National Incident Management System and FEMA's procedures for emergency responders. The board discussed a student petition desiring junior high cheerleading and directed Mrs. McKeown to respond to the students with the suggestion of an informal and non-exclusive pep club to encourage team spirit and support by the whole student body. Mr. Campbell suggested the La Harpe-Dallas Athletic Committee explore such opportunities as cheerleading, cross country, marching band and others as they meet to in the future to discuss the coop.
Business Items:
Mrs. Porter opened a discussion concerning the recently completed baseball season. The board heard Mr. Porter and those attending share their concerns and an open exchange regarding the sports coop followed. Mr. Campbell shared the foundational purposes for all of our cooperative agreements with the other districts and Horton requested further research into solutions that would work within the guidelines of the sports coop to be presented for board consideration.
Huston presented information from the October 1st Hamilton meeting with Dave Pistorius on County Sales Tax stating that any future movement on this item would likely fall to the district school boards of the county.
Action Items:
A motion was made by Irish with second by Wear to accept the Annual Financial Report. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Huston with second by Campbell to enter into closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific personnel, and discipline of specific students. Roll Call: Irish, Yes; Campbell, Yes; Huston, Yes; Johnson, Absent; Stambaugh, Yes; Wear, Absent; Horton, Yes. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Stambaugh with second by Horton to return to open session. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Campbell with second by Horton to approve Krista Willdrick for the position of substitute teacher aide. Roll Call: Johnson, Absent; Irish, Yes; Stambaugh, Yes; Horton, Yes; Wear, Yes; Campbell, Yes; Huston, Yes. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Irish with second by Huston to give a technology stipend to Joanna Sholl of 12.5% of the base salary. Roll Call: Horton, Yes; Wear, Yes; Stambaugh, Yes; Irish, Yes; Campbell, Yes; Huston, Yes; Johnson, Absent. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Huston with second by Irish to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 p.m. Voice Vote: All Aye. Motion carried.
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President Secretary
