Friday, November 1, 2013

Board Briefs for Board of Education Business Meeting - October 28, 2013

This information includes highlights of action taken and information received by the Ladue Board of Education at the October 28, 2013, meeting.  This is an unofficial record.  Official minutes of each Board meeting are posted on the district website and are available for viewing at the Administrative Center after the Board approves them, typically two weeks after the meeting.

Staff Recognition
October 2013 Excellence in Education Award
Abby Wheeler, Science Teacher
Ladue Horton Watkins High School

Student Recognition
2013 National Merit Semifinalists

Emily Biest, Katherine Campbell, Enze Chen, Emily Chu, Justin Cole, 
Sam Crowder, Jialin Ding, Michael Figenshau, Robert Marshall, Shira Morosohk, 
Caleb Rosenthal, Nate Rushing, Scott Sanchez, Stella Schindler, Luke Song, Ben Zhang, Eric Zhu
    Superintendent Remarks
    • Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke attended a luncheon hosted by The Archway Chapter of Links, Inc. where Marteana Davidson, of the district's Video Technology department, was recognized for her volunteer work in media editing.  In addition, Harriet Kopolow, wife of Board of Education President Jeff Kopolow, was honored for her work with youth and the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse.  The Links is a volunteer service organization of women committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African-Americans and persons of African ancestry.
    • Dr. Jahnke congratulated Ladue Middle School students on their work to eliminate cyberbullying by selling STAMP bracelets.  STAMP stands for Students Together Against Mean Posts.  The slogan and bracelets were designed by Claire Rowe and are being sold at lunch at the middle school with proceeds going to an anti-cyberbullying organization.
    • Dr. Jahnke announced the property owned by the district at 10601 Clayton Road in Frontenac is under contract with residential developer The Pulte Group.
    ACTION ITEMS

    Trane Service Contract.  Administration recommended, and the Board approved, a three-year contract with St. Louis Trane Service Company to maintain all major HVAC components for the district.  This budgeted expense will allow the district to maintain the current annual costs in place for the duration of the three-year contract and adds the West Campus equipment.

    INFORMATION ITEMS

    Enrollment and Residency Report.  Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented the 2013-14 Enrollment and Residency Report, noting there were 4,097 students enrolled district-wide on the state's official "Count Day," representing an increase of 127 from last school year and equating to a 21.6% increase in enrollment over the last ten years.  Projections indicate enrollment will increase by approximately 100 more students in the next two years.  (The district enrolled 88 students from Normandy and Riverview Gardens school district as a result of the student transfer program put in place this past summer.  Transfer students were not reflected in the projections.)

    The district has convened a Superintendent's Advisory Committee to study the educational and financial impact of class size and will report to the superintendent in December for Board of Education consideration in January.

    Revenue Enhancement Discussion.  Dr. Jahnke and Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner led a discussion regarding the potential of alternative revenue sources for the district.  After outlining current district policies and practices, Dr. Buckner outlined possible alternatives including private fundraising through the alumni association and the Ladue Education Foundation, as well as corporate opportunities through the sale of naming rights and advertisements.

    Tentative Agenda Items for the Board's Work Session on November 11, 2013:
    • Missouri Learning Standards Update
    • MSIP 5
    Tentative Agenda Items for the Board's Business Meeting on November 25, 2013:

          ACTION
    • Acceptance of Auditor's Report
          INFORMATION
    • Proposed High School Course/Program/Procedure Changes
    • 2014-15 LECC Tuition
    • 2013-14 Revised Budget
    • Board Policy Changes
    The next Board of Education meeting will be a Work Session on November 11, 2013 at 6 p.m.  The Board's next Business Meeting will take place on November 25, 2013 at 7 p.m.  Both meetings will be held at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.