Friday, April 10, 2015

Board Briefs from April 8, 2015, Business Meeting

This information includes highlights of action taken and information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the April 8, 2015, Business 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.


Friends of Education
The chiefs of police who serve departments in the municipalities in which the
district has property were recognized for their outstanding dedication
to the safety of the district's students and staff.


Chief Glenn Eidman - City of Creve Coeur
Chief Richard Knox - City of Olivette
Chief Rich Wooten - City of Ladue


Board President's Remarks
  • Jeff Kopolow announced that incumbent Board Representatives Sheri Glantz and Nancy Goldstein were re-elected in the April 7, 2015 election.  Mr. Kopolow offered his thanks to candidate Kisha Lee, who was in attendance at the meeting, for her interest in and dedication to the district.  He also expressed concern for a verbal attack on Ms. Lee made at one of the polling locations by a citizen of the community.
Superintendent's Remarks
  • Dr. Donna Jahnke congratulated Mrs. Glantz and Mrs. Goldstein on their re-election, noting that the current team of seven Board members has worked very well together to this point and that she anticipates this productive collaboration will continue.  Dr. Jahnke also thanked Ms. Lee for her service to the district and expressed her hope that she will continue to remain active on the various committees on which she serves.
  • Dr. Jahnke reported that the first Community Forum on the high school renovation had been held the night before on April 7, 2015, and that an audience of approximately 25-30 people attended and took a tour of the high school.  Many attendees then gathered in small groups to provide their input, and ask questions about the project.  This information will be used to assist the administration and Board of Education in narrowing to a single concept for further discussion with the community.  A second Community Forum event is planned for Monday, May 11 at 7 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.  Information about the high school renovation project is also available at www.ladueschools.net/highschoolrenovation.  
  • Dr. Jahnke announced that the districtwide "Fill the Barrel" campaign will kick off on Wednesday, April 22 with the goal of collecting 12,500 pounds of food.  With each barrel holding 175 lbs., 71 barrels will need to be filled.  Dr. Jahnke thanked Old Bonhomme Elementary School Counselor Hayley Arnold and Ladue Middle School Counselor Roger Scherck for coordinating this community service campaign.   

ACTION ITEMS

Administration of Oaths of Office Board President Jeff Kopolow administered the Oaths of Office to the two incumbent Board of Education members who were re-elected in the April 7, 2015 election.  This begins the fourth term for Sheri Glantz, and the second term for Nancy Goldstein.

Election of Officers.  Board of Education officers for the upcoming year were nominated and approved, as follows:

  • President: Jeff Kopolow
  • Vice President: Sheri Glantz
  • Treasurer:  Steve Spratt
  • Secretary: Nancy Goldstein  

Andy Bresler, Carolyn Jaeger and Dan Regelean also serve as Board of Education directors.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Support Staff Employee Council (SSEC) Report and Salary Range Recommendation. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented a summary of this year's SSEC report.  The mission of the SSEC is to facilitate dialogue between support staff and the administration in order to address ongoing issues and interests, in addition to planning and promoting professional development for support staff.  This year's main topics included reviewing and updating the SSEC guidelines, creation/revision of job descriptions, determination of midpoint salary amounts, overall staff benefits and professional development opportunities. 

Support staff salary ranges will be approved by the Board at the April 27, 2015 meeting.  When midpoints were first used to determine salary ranges in 2012, AAIM (private sector) data was used.  Beginning in the 2015-16 school year, the SSEC is recommending midpoints be calculated using St. Louis County public school data to allow for a more direct comparison to like jobs, and keeping the ranges consistent with expected duties in the public school setting, which can vary widely from the private sector.   

Community Engagement Master Plan Presentation. Dr. Jahnke reviewed the presentation currently being given to various community groups in order to inform the district's constituents regarding the efforts being made to research the possibilities of a high school renovation, as well as to gain input on the concepts under consideration.  This presentation will be given to 17 separate groups before the end of the school year with most groups also being offered a tour of the existing high school facility.  Administrators hope to have a single refined concept, as well as more specific cost information when school resumes in August 2015.  Information regarding the project and the concepts currently under consideration can be found on the district's High School Renovation website.  

District Naming Rights Procedure. Dr. Jahnke reminded the Board that in order to offset the cost to taxpayers for a potential high school renovation, the district hopes to sell the property at 10601 Clayton Road (the former Ladue Early Childhood Center) and is working with the Ladue Education Foundation (LEF) to raise private/corporate donations.  Dr. Jahnke asked Communications Director Susan Dielmann to present the documents to the Board which will be used by the district and the LEF to secure private and corporate pledges and donations in return for Naming Rights of various portions of a newly-renovated high school.  LEF President Julie LaBonte' was also in attendance to answer questions posed by the Board.  The Board will vote on approval of these documents at the April 27, 2015 meeting.   

Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting Monday April 27, 2015:

Action
  • Acceptance of Certified Election Results
  • Bid Approval for Asphalt and Concrete Work
  • Designation of Board Delegates/Alternates to Organizations
  • Support Staff Salary Range Recommendation
  • Naming Rights Procedure
Information
  • 2015-2016 Board Meeting Dates
  • Capital Fund Discussion 
The next meeting of the Board will be a Business Meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2015, to be held at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.