Board Briefs from October 26, 2015 Business Meeting

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the October 26, 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.

October Excellence in Education Award
Erika Niles, Literacy Coach, Ladue Middle School

National Merit Semifinalists
Claire Allen, Spencer Chen, Royce Dong, Greg Farn, Huayu Gao, Henok Getahun,
Jacob Granick, Kathryne Lamkin, Tom Liu, Rasika Sant, Rachel Steiner,
Steele Stewart, Rachel Wagner-Muns, and Hunter Wallace

Board President's Remarks

• Board President Jeff Kopolow congratulated this year’s National Merit Semi-Finalists, an elite group of students scoring in the top 1% of all students nationwide taking the PSAT.  Mr. Kopolow said he anticipates this group will continue a long tradition of Ladue Horton Watkins High School graduates who have gone on to do great things.  

Superintendent Remarks

• Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke welcomed Julia Burke to the meeting.  Ms. Burke is the associate superintendent for human resources in the Hazelwood School District and visited the meeting as part of her work toward her doctorate degree at St. Louis University.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Requisition Over $25,000.    Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner introduced Facilities Director Mike Noonan to present information regarding the administration’s recommendation for the purchase of a Toolcat to replace the district’s current machine which was purchased in 2006 and is increasingly in need of repair.  The cost of the new machine is $61,217 and is being offset by a trade-in of the current machine for $16,000 and a rebate of $11,440, for a total cost to the district of $33,770.  

Enrollment and Residency Report. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented the Enrollment and Residency Report for the 2015-16 school year.  The report includes information about current enrollment, as well as enrollment projections.  Following are a few highlights to the report.  For the full report, please click the header of this section.  

• As of Count Day 2015, the district has 4,165 students, reflecting an increase of 10 students over the 2014-15 school year. Similar minimal increases are anticipated for the next two school years.  
• The district currently has 81 students attending from unaccredited districts.  Projections do not include students from unaccredited districts, as the future of this program remains uncertain.
• The district’s English Language Learners (ELL) population continues to grow with 168 total students receiving services this year.  This is an increase of 21% over the 2014-15 school year.  There are 61 different languages spoken by students in the Ladue School District.
• Average elementary grade class sizes fall within the district’s current class size guidelines with the exception of the Fifth Grade Center.  Enrollment in fifth grade increased slightly after the deadline for hiring classroom teachers and a teacher assistant was hired to provide additional support.  Space limitations are beginning to become a factor at two of the elementary schools and at the middle school.

Update on Master Facilities Plan. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner updated the Board on current efforts regarding the high school renovation initiative.  The current focus is the pre-construction timeline that will be used. The Board and administration discussed how much preparation can and should be done prior to the Board’s anticipated decision in December on whether to move forward with a bond referendum in April 2016.   Similarly, there was discussion regarding how much preparation can and should be done prior to a potential April 5, 2016, vote, should the Board to decide to move forward with a referendum in December.  The goal of these discussions is to find the appropriate balance between being prepared to move expeditiously if the project is ultimately approved by voters, and the use of district resources if the project should not be moved forward in the short-term.  

The Board of Education will continue this discussion at the November 10, 2015, Work Session.  Results from the Community Survey currently underway are anticipated to be presented at the November 23, 2015, Business Meeting.  The survey is being used to gauge support for a high school renovation, as well as the community’s overall satisfaction with the district’s performance.  

Board Policy Changes.  In the district’s ongoing efforts to maintain policies which accurately represent district expectations, incorporate current legislative requirements, and take into account recommendations by the Missouri School Board Association (MSBA), Dr. Jahnke presented fourteen revised policies for the Board of Education’s discussion and review.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education meeting will be a Work Session on November 10, 2015, at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.  The following meeting will be a Business Meeting at 7 p.m. on November 23, 2015, in the library of Ladue Horton Watkins High School (1201 S. Warson Road).  Tentative agenda items include the following.   

Tentative Agenda Items for Work Session November 10, 2015:

INFORMATION

• Curriculum & Instruction Initiatives
• Update on Master Facilities Plan Phase I
• High School Initiatives
• 2016-17 LECC Tuition and BASK/TAS Rates
• SSD Educational Partnership Agreement

Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting November 23, 2015:

ACTION

• Board Policy Changes
• Acceptance of Auditor’s Report
• 2016-2017 LECC Tuition and BASK/TAS Rates
• SSD Educational Partnership Agreement
• SSD Reimbursement of Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Costs

INFORMATION

• 2016-17 High School Course Change Proposal(s)
• 2015-16 Revised Budget
• Community Survey Results and Analysis