2013 Individual School
Teachers of the Year
Teachers of the Year
Kathryn Ward, Fourth-Grade Teacher
Conway Elementary School
Lori Humphrey, Second-Grade Teacher
Old Bonhomme Elementary School
Sarah Adams Schwartz,
Spanish Teacher
Reed Elementary School
Christy Eilerman,
Kindergarten Teacher
Spoede Elementary School
Suzanne Costanza,
Sixth-Grade Math Teacher
Ladue Middle School
Steve Schmidt,
Industrial Engineering Technology Teacher
Ladue Horton Watkins High School
2013 District Teacher of the Year
Lori Humphrey, Second-Grade Teacher
Old Bonhomme Elementary School
- Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke congratulated the Laduettes Dance Team on winning first place in both Poms and Hip Hop at the 2013 Lindbergh Yvonne Cole International Dance Competition on Saturday, December 7, 2013. The team also won the Judge's Award for Outstanding Showmanship in Hip Hop.
- The high school will be conducting a Curriculum Fair on January 16, 2014 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Teachers will be available to share course content so students and parents can make more informed decisions about course selection. This will also assist the district in creating a more efficient master schedule.
- Dr. Jahnke announced the Boys Varsity Basketball team would be playing Hazelwood Central that evening for the championship in the Jerry Boeckman Memorial Tournament at Vianney and wished the team well. (Unfortunately, the team lost 56-51.)
- The filing period for the April 8, 2014, general municipal election will open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2013, and will close at 5 p.m., Tuesday, January 21, 2014. Three Board of Education directors will be elected with each serving a three-year term. Details are posted on the district website.
2014-15 High School Course Changes. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Laura Brock recommended, and the Board approved, several course changes to be put in place at Ladue Horton Watkins High School for the 2014-15 school year. Recommended course changes include three course deletions, three course additions (including an additional Project Lead the Way course) and one course name change.
2014-15 LECC Tuition and BASK/TAS Rates. After briefly reviewing historical financial support of the Ladue Early Childhood Center, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the administration's recommendation for tuition and rate changes for Ladue Early Childhood Center (LECC) and BASK (Before and After School Kare) programs for the 2014-15 school year.
- In order to make early childhood programming costs more consistent on an hourly basis, the recommendation was made for a flat hourly rate to be applied across all programs.
- Similarly, for BASK (Before and After School Kare) programming, a consistent hourly rate was recommended, in addition to dropping the 9-hour/week option, but adding a drop-in option which is required to be scheduled in advance. Those who use both morning and afternoon services will be provided a discount.
The district will surplus approximately $3.1 million during the year, continuing the plan to build the fund balance for several years before spending down the balance in future years, thereby prolonging the need for a voter-approved increase in the operating tax levy.
Local revenue projections have been decreased since the Preliminary Budget was approved, with the latest reports indicating an even greater decline in property assessments. The result is anticipated to be approximately $900,000 less in current tax revenue to the district this year than last year. The Board is anticipated to consider increasing the operating tax levy in September of 2014 closer to the allowable ceiling in order to attempt to keep the district "revenue neutral" going forward.
Board Policy Changes. Dr. Jahnke presented, and the Board approved, the administration's recommendation for revising 25 district policies as a result of the district's ongoing policy review process. For the most part, these changes are being recommended by the Missouri School Board Association (MSBA) to reflect changes in law. In some cases the district is recommending modification of the MSBA policy language and/or additional cross-referencing.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Budget Update: Five-Year Financial Forecast. The district’s overall financial outlook has altered only slightly since the following financial strategies were implemented to assist in managing the district’s operating budget.
- Reductions in expenditures
- Institution of a 15% unrestricted fund balance threshold
- A $.49 operating levy increase through the passing of Proposition 1
- Setting a 2% unrestricted operating budget spending increase parameter
2014 District Summer School Programs. Dr. Brock introduced Director of Student Services Dr. Derrick Wallace who presented a targeted approach to increasing opportunities for summer learning over the next several years. Initially, for the summer of 2014, these options would include: an early childhood camp, an early childhood academic support program, Title I elementary programming, a high school credit recovery program and Title I high school programming. The Board will make a decision regarding 2014 summer school programming at the January 27, 2014 Board of Education Business Meeting.
Second Semester Board Agenda. Dr. Jahnke presented the anticipated plan for the Board to address various district topics during the remainder of the school year.
Tentative Agenda Items for Work Session Meeting January 13, 2014:
- Class Size Determination Discussion
- School Board Recognition Week
- Announcement of School Board Candidates
- 7th Grade Green Schools Project
- Annual Renewal of Agreement to Participate in PEGS
- City of Ladue/District Resource Officer Agreement
- 2014 District Summer School Programs
- Draft of 2014 Legislative Positions
