This information includes highlights of action taken and information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the November 24, 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.
Excellence in Education Award
Susan Davis
Librarian, Spoede Elementary School
- Board President Jeff Kopolow introduced Debbie Kersting, Executive Director of the Gateway Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, who was at the meeting to acknowledge the outstanding fundraising efforts of the high school, middle school and Conway Elementary School. Together, these schools raised a total of $3,203.84 for the society over the last year.
- Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke wished everyone a very happy, restful and peaceful Thanksgiving.
Acceptance of Auditor's Report. The Board approved the Fiscal Year 2014 Audit. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner introduced a representative of Daniel Jones & Associates, who presented the district’s annual Independent Auditor’s Report which states all financial statements reviewed, in all material respects, fairly represent the respective financial activities, and each major fund, of the district, as of June 30, 2014. The district received an “unqualified opinion,” the highest opinion a district can receive, and remains one of the few public school districts in Missouri, and one of less than a hundred in the nation, to hold a stand-alone AAA rating from Standard and Poor's.
INFORMATION ITEMS
2015-16 High School Course Change Proposals. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Laura Brock introduced Ladue Horton Watkins High School Principal Brad Griffith, who provided an overview of proposed high school course changes for the 2015-16 school year. Included were course changes recommended by the teaching staff to be added and deleted, as well as recommendations for changing course names. Details can be found by clicking the heading of this paragraph. These changes will be voted upon by the Board at the December 8, 2014, Business Meeting.
2015-16 LECC Tuition and BASK/TAS Rates. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics and Director of Early Childhood Kerri Wetzel presented information regarding the Ladue Early Childhood Center. Rate changes are not being recommended for the 2015-16 school year. The administration plans to do a complete review of the center's revenue and expense information over the coming year before recommending any rate changes.
2014-15 Revised Budget. The Board of Education approved the 2014-15 Preliminary Budget on June 23, 2014. Each year, the annual budget is adjusted and revised based on the availability of more accurate revenue and expense data than is available in the summer before the school year begins. Dr. Buckner presented the revised budget which the Board will approve at the December 8, 2014, Business Meeting. The revised operating budget totals approximately $56.7 million and remains well within the 2% increase per budget year parameter set by the Board in 2012.
Health Insurance Carriers. As a result of significant alterations made to the district's employee insurance programs in the past, and the resulting positive insurance account financials, Dr. Buckner indicated the administration will be asking for the Board's approval to pursue extensions with existing carriers at the December 8, 2014, Business Meeting. Dr. Buckner also indicated the administration will be recommending an increase in dental premiums for the 2015-16 school year, although an exact percentage increase amount is not currently known.
Early Separation Incentive Program. Mr. Rossics outlined the Early Separation Incentive Plan (ESIP) the administration will be asking the Board to approve at the December 8, 2014, Business Meeting. The plan, in accordance with Board policy GCPCA, provides compensation for those staff members (certified and non-certified) who are eligible for retirement according to the state's retirement system and choose to leave the district's employment at the end of the 2014-15 school year. It is not anticipated that another ESIP will be recommended for consideration by the Board prior to the 2018-19 school year.
High School Facility Renovation Project: Construction Planning Team. Dr. Buckner reviewed the Finance and Facilities Board Advisory Committees' work to date for selecting a Construction Management Agency and an Architect to assist the district in developing plans for a potential renovation of the high school. At the time of the meeting, the field had been narrowed to two Construction Management Agencies and five Architectural firms. (Details are available through the heading above.) The administration anticipates bringing forth a recommendation to the Board for both serves at the December 8, 2014, Business Meeting.
Early Separation Incentive Program. Mr. Rossics outlined the Early Separation Incentive Plan (ESIP) the administration will be asking the Board to approve at the December 8, 2014, Business Meeting. The plan, in accordance with Board policy GCPCA, provides compensation for those staff members (certified and non-certified) who are eligible for retirement according to the state's retirement system and choose to leave the district's employment at the end of the 2014-15 school year. It is not anticipated that another ESIP will be recommended for consideration by the Board prior to the 2018-19 school year.
High School Facility Renovation Project: Construction Planning Team. Dr. Buckner reviewed the Finance and Facilities Board Advisory Committees' work to date for selecting a Construction Management Agency and an Architect to assist the district in developing plans for a potential renovation of the high school. At the time of the meeting, the field had been narrowed to two Construction Management Agencies and five Architectural firms. (Details are available through the heading above.) The administration anticipates bringing forth a recommendation to the Board for both serves at the December 8, 2014, Business Meeting.
FUTURE MEETINGS
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting on December 8, 2014
ACTION
- High School Facility Renovation Project: Construction Planning Team
- Financial Advisor
- Construction Management Agency
- Architect
- 2015-16 High School Course Change Proposals
- 2014-15 Revised Budget
- Health Insurance Carriers
- Early Separation Incentive Program
- Second Semester Board Agenda Calendar (January-August)
