This information includes highlights of action taken and information received by the Ladue Board of Education at the January 13, 2014, 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.
- Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke commented on the recent "Snow Days" in the district, explaining there are four additional days built into the calendar, of which three have now been used. She indicated the district's first "Late Start Day" went well, with just a few kinks to be worked out going forward. Dr. Jahnke thanked Director of Facilities Mike Noonan and his facilities crew, Transportation Manager Barb Myers, and Director of Communications Susan Dielmann for their efforts on these challenging days.
- Dr. Jahnke commented on the Dance Marathon held at the high school on Saturday, January 11, 2014, in which approximately 200 students participated. This first time event was coordinated by two students: Emily Biest and Sophie Lustman and sponsored by teachers Mike Farrell and Julie Blank. They hoped to generate $10,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network, but actually collected over $22,000. KSDK covered the event on their 10 p.m. Saturday newscast.
Participation in A+ Public Schools Program. The Board approved the administration's recommendation for the high school to begin participation in the state's A+ Scholarship Program. This program provides scholarship funds to eligible graduates of "A+ designated" high schools who attend a participating public community college or vocational/technical school, or certain private two-year vocational/technical schools. More information.
WORK SESSION
Class Size Discussion. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Laura Brock and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics provided the Board with an overview of the process and work of the Class Size Subcommittee which met during the first semester to study class size research, state and local policy, as well as financial and facility implications relating to the district's class size policies and procedures. The committee submitted their report to Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke prior to Winter Break. Dr. Jahnke and the district's Executive Leadership Team studied the committee's report and made the following recommendations to the Board. As noted in the linked document, these recommendations closely align with those submitted by the committee.
The recommendations (shown to the left) reflect the maximum number of students recommended to be placed in core academic content classrooms. The average class sizes are anticipated to be lower in most cases. An additional section would be added when there is one additional student in a section above the recommendation.
The estimated cost increase to implement this recommendation for the 2014-15 school year is $365,800. For the 2013-14 school year, six additional classroom teachers were added K-2, two additional Teacher Assistants were added in grades three and four, four additional Teacher Assistants were added to provide intervention services, and elective sections at the high school were added to alleviate overcrowding. These 2013-14 efforts increased teacher costs by $456,343. Therefore, the 2014-15 recommendations reflect a continued effort in the reduction of core content class sizes in the district, for a combined estimated cost of over $822,000.
The Board asked administration to outline the costs -- including salaries, benefits and additional facility requirements -- to maintain the class size policy passed in 2002. (The district has been unable to strictly adhere to this policy since approximately 2004 due to facility and budget constraints.) The additional cost for salaries in this scenario is estimated to be $877,920, which would create an increase in overall salaries of $1.33 million for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years combined. Additional required facility costs will be estimated and added to these costs for the Board's consideration at the January 27, 2014 meeting.
At the January 27, 2014, meeting, the Board will continue to discuss the topic and will either make a decision, or delay a decision until a subsequent meeting. Following approval of a new class size policy, the district's current class size policy (IHB) will be amended, and the approved methodology for adding sections and Teacher Assistants will be incorporated into the district's Guidelines and Procedures.
Once these policies and guidelines are approved, the next step in addressing class size will be to review course offerings, staff assignments and scheduling at the secondary level.
At the January 27, 2014, meeting, the Board will continue to discuss the topic and will either make a decision, or delay a decision until a subsequent meeting. Following approval of a new class size policy, the district's current class size policy (IHB) will be amended, and the approved methodology for adding sections and Teacher Assistants will be incorporated into the district's Guidelines and Procedures.
Once these policies and guidelines are approved, the next step in addressing class size will be to review course offerings, staff assignments and scheduling at the secondary level.
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting January 27, 2014:
- 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
