This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the October 13, 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.
Board President's Remarks
- Board President Jeff Kopolow shared that friends of Rachel Pearline, a 1995 graduate of Ladue Horton Watkins High School, recently posted a very moving story about Rachel to a “go fund me” site on her behalf. Rachel is battling stage four stomach cancer and her inspiring story, as well as a video she created can be found here. Mr. Kopolow said that Rachel’s story is not only inspiring, but a true testament to the types of wonderful people we have had the honor of teaching within our schools.
Superintendent Remarks
- Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke congratulated Old Bonhomme Elementary School on receiving the Gysbers Success Designation Award by the Guidance and Counseling Services section of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Missouri School Counselor Association. This honor is awarded for a school’s commitment to implementing a comprehensive guidance and counseling program.
- Dr. Jahnke also congratulated Ladue Horton Watkins High School’s Hannah Behr, who was recently recognized as a 2015-16 Outstanding Project Lead the Way Engineering Teacher. Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is the nation’s leading provider of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. Hannah is the PLTW coordinator for the high school and has taken on an integral role in developing the program.
REPORTS
MAP Data and Report. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Jennifer Allen presented the findings of the district’s Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Annual Performance Report. Results are embargoed for public distribution until October 23, 2015, at which time the district will publish these results. Also at that time, it is anticipated that local media will publish comparative results of the districts in the St. Louis area.
Update on Master Facilities Plan. Dr. Jahnke updated the Board on the progress of the potential high school renovation initiative. Over 25 meetings with various stakeholder groups have been conducted since school began, including two Community Forums to which the entire Ladue Schools community was invited. In addition, the high school was open to the community for tours every night the week of October 5-9. At the same time, high school and district administrators, as well as high school teachers, have continued to work with the design team to refine the potential design and estimate potential costs. Discussions with the City of Ladue are beginning so that if the project continues to move forward, initial preparations for the project will have been made.
Survey Development Update. Dr. Jahnke and Director of Communications Susan Downing updated the Board on the Community Survey being developed in order to gauge residents’ satisfaction with the district, as well as their thoughts about, and support for, a potential high school renovation. The telephone survey will begin on October 23 and calling will continue until 600 calls reflecting a representative cross-section of the community have been completed. Results will be reported to the Board at the November 23 meeting. An online survey will be available to all residents from October 23 through November 13. Although online responses will not be included in the quantitative analysis provided to the Board, they will be reviewed. The Board is expected to make a decision at the December 14 meeting whether to move forward with requesting a bond referendum at the April 2016 election.
Principals Share School Improvement. Board members broke into smaller groups and the district’s building principals and directors rotated amongst the groups to outline key initiatives underway in their buildings.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on October 26, 2015, at 7 p.m. at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road. Tentative agenda items include the following.
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting October 26, 2015:
- National Merit Recognized Students
ACTION
- 2015-2016 Bus Routes/Mileage
- SSD Reimbursement of ECSE Costs
INFORMATION
- LEF and Alumnae Report
- Enrollment and Residency Report
- Update on Master Facilities Plan Phase I
- Board Policy Changes
