Thursday, February 27, 2014

Board Briefs from Business Meeting on February 24, 2014

This information includes highlights of action taken and information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the February 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
Becky Jones, Learning Lab
Spoede Elementary School

Board President Remarks
  • Board President Jeff Kopolow welcomed the Board candidates present in the audience (Spratt, Jaeger and Lee) and commented that we had survived last week's windstorm and power outage. 
Superintendent Remarks
  • Dr. Donna Jahnke announced that on Friday night, our boys basketball team beat Clayton in a close competitive game. She also commented there were more than 100 students in attendance who demonstrated great Ladue Schools spirit.
  • Dr. Jahnke commented on seeing the high school play, "Guys and Dolls," this weekend.  It was a fantastic display of the talented students we have at the high school. Congratulations to our new Theater teacher, Michael Pecka, who directed a wonderful, thoroughly enjoyable show. Kudos to Aaron Lehde our music conductor, and Tom Lowery our voice coach. The acting, set design, dancing, singing, musical accompaniment, lighting, and stage direction were simply spectacular. What a show!
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ACTION ITEMS

2015-16 School Calendar.  Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Laura Brock presented, and the Board approved, the administration's recommendation for the 2015-16 calendar.  Dr. Brock outlined the minor changes to the calendar in comparison to the previous four years.  The calendar and comparison can be found by clicking the header of this paragraph.

Meet and Confer Report.  Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner and the Ladue Educators Association (LEA) Meet and Confer Representative Melora Pruneau presented, and the Board approved, the agreements arising out of Meet and Confer discussions which took place between the LEA and administration over the last two months.   As is customary, these agreements include salary increases for the coming year, as well as other decisions about employee benefits and working conditions.


This year, salary increases will have three components, as follows:

  • A merit pay component based upon performance evaluations.
  • Salary adjustments for employees whose salaries are below the average of employees in comparable positions in comparable districts. 
  • After applying the merit pay and the advanced degree adjustments described above, any teachers receiving a salary increase below the consumer price index will have their raise increased for the 2014-15 school year.  (Evaluation rating must be proficient or advanced to receive the adjustment.)
Additional details and agreements arising out of the Meet and Confer process can be found by clicking on the topic header above.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Copier Contract Bids.  Dr. Buckner updated the Board on a recently issued Request for Proposal for the district's copier equipment and services.  To date, the district has received three proposals and expects to receive one more by March 4, 2014.  The administration will present a recommendation to the Board for awarding the contract at the March 24, 2014 meeting.

2014 Legislative Positions.  Dr. Jahnke and the Board discussed state and federal legislation and its potential impact on the Ladue School District.  Specifically, the impact of the Common Core State Standards, the Affordable Health Care Act and education bills currently pending.

Tentative Agenda Items for Work Session Meeting on March 10, 2014
  • Strategic Planning Report
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting March 24, 2014

Action
  • City of Ladue/District Resource Officer Agreement
  • Copier Contract Bid Approval
Information
  • 2014-15 Transportation
On March 10, 2014, the Board of Education will hold a Work Session at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria of Ladue Middle School, 9701 Conway Road.  The community is encouraged to attend this Work Session in order to learn more about the initiatives being researched and pursued as the Board and administration revise the district's Strategic Plan. The next Business Meeting of the Board will take place on March 24, 2014, at 7 p.m. at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Board Briefs for Board of Education Meeting on February 10, 2014

This information includes highlights of action taken and information received by the Ladue Board of Education at the February 10, 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.

Board President Remarks
  • Board of Education President Jeff Kopolow welcomed three candidates to the meeting who are running for seats on the Board of Education in the April 8, 2014 election: Carolyn Jaeger, Sheldon Johnson and Kisha Lee.  Andy Bresler, an incumbent, was also in attendance as a current Board Member. 
Superintendent Remarks
  • In regard to Snow Days...  Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke explained there are four additional days built into the calendar, all of which have now been used.  If there is additional time lost due to weather -- either in the form of a full day, or a Late Start, it is likely days (or at least hours) will need to be added to the current calendar.  These would likely take the place of currently scheduled Professional Development full days or Early Release days
ACTION ITEMS

High School Feasibility Study.   Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the administration's recommendation to appoint Mackey Mitchell Architects to determine the logistics and financial implications of updating and renovating the high school facilities.  This recommendation comes as a result of the district issuing a formal Request for Qualifications for this work, analyzing the information provided, interviewing three of the six responding companies, and negotiating terms with the company ultimately selected.  Mackey Mitchell is anticipated to deliver the feasibility study in early May.  The study will be funded through the use of remaining Proposition O revenue and/or the existing facilities planning budget.  No decision, commitment or timetable has been determined for renovating the high school at this time.

Resignation of Board of Education Vice President Stacy Washington.  Board President Kopolow asked for, and received, the Board's approval to accept the resignation of Stacy Washington, current Vice President to the Board of Education.  Mrs. Washington and her family are in the process of moving out of the Ladue School District.  Mrs. Washington's term would have ended in April 2014.   Therefore, a replacement will not be named, as three Board members will be elected on April 8, 2014, fulfilling the state's requirement for the district to have seven Board of Education members.


WORK SESSION

2015-16 Calendar.  Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Laura Brock reviewed the administration's recommendation for the 2015-16 calendar.  Dr. Brock outlined the minor changes to the calendar in comparison to the previous four years.  The calendar and comparison can be found by clicking the header of this paragraph.  The 2015-16 calendar will be brought to the Board for further discussion and approval at the February 24, 2014 Board of Education Business Meeting.

Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting on February 24, 2014:

      Action:
  • 2015-16 School Calendar Hearing and Approval
  • Meet and Confer Report
  • 2014 Legislative Positions
Tentative Agenda Items for Work Session on March 10, 2014:
  • Strategic Plan: Update and Overview
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on February 24, 2014 at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.  On March 10, 2014, the Board of Education will hold a Work Session at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria of Ladue Middle School, 9701 Conway Road.  The community is encouraged to attend this Work Session in order to learn more about the initiatives being researched and pursued as the Board and administration revise the district's Strategic Plan.