Friday, September 11, 2015

Board Briefs from September 8, 2015 Work Session

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the September 8, 2015 Work Session.  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 Remarks
  • Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke congratulated Patricia Brown on being named a 2015 PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator.   Ms. Brown, a technology integration coach at Old Bonhomme Elementary recently appeared on Channel 9 in a series of short educational clips related to digital literacy.
  • Dr. Jahnke congratulated Shante Lyons who successfully defended his dissertation at the University of Missouri St. Louis on the morning of Tuesday, September 8, earning his doctorate in education leadership, and then was back at school in time to coach football that afternoon.
  • Thirteen students of Ladue Horton Watkins High School were named National Merit Semifinalists this week.  They are:  Claire Allen, Spencer Chen, Royce Dong, Greg Farn, Huayu Gao, Henok Getahun, Jacob Granick, Kathryne Lamkin, Tom Liu, Rasika Sant, Steele Stewart, Rachel Wagner-Muns, and Hunter Wallace.
REPORTS

Analysis of Existing Bonds. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner introduced Sentry Financial Municipal Advisor Matt DeLeo.  Sentry Financial is the district’s financial advisor in relation to municipal bonds.  Mr. DeLeo outlined the district’s existing bond debt and structure and the impact an initial bond referendum would have on the district overall, as well as on individual taxpayers.

Update on Master Facilities Plan Phase I. Dr. Jahnke and Dr. Buckner introduced the district’s design team who outlined the most recent refinement of the high school renovation concept, as well as estimated costs.  Based on input from the Board and administrators, the design and costs will continue to be refined.  Support of the overall initiative will be gauged through a community survey scheduled to begin in late October.  The Board is anticipated to make a decision in December on whether to move forward with a bond referendum in April 2016.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on September 28, 2015 at 7 p.m. at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.  Tentative agenda items include the following.  

Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting September 28, 2015:

ACTION
  • Hearing and Approval of Operating Budget and Debt Service Levies for 2015-16

INFORMATION
  • Transportation/2015-16 Bus Routes/Mileage
  • Strategic Plan Update
  • Communications Report