This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the November 10, 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 the Ladue Middle School on having officially received the National Blue Ribbon Award at a presentation in Washington, D.C., earlier in the day.
REPORTS
2016-2017 LECC Tuition and BASK/TAS Rates. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics and Ladue Early Childhood Center (LECC) Director Kerri Wetzel presented summary information about the LECC’s current offerings which include: enrichment, toddler programming, preschool programming, Parents as Teachers (PAT), Parent and Child Together (PACT), and BASK (before and after school care). In addition, the LECC houses the St. Louis County Preschool for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. A tuition increase for the 2016-17 school year of 1% for residents and 2% for non-residents was recommended. The tuition rates will be an Action Item at the November 23, 2015, Board of Education meeting.
Update on Master Facilities Plan Phase I. Dr. Jahnke and Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner led a discussion with the Board regarding the status of the high school renovation project. The Board reviewed potential architectural and construction contracts going forward, a potential construction timeline, current debt and potential bond structures, and potential construction scenarios based on survey results. Community Survey results will be presented at the November 23 meeting, and the Board is anticipated to make a decision on whether to move forward with a bond referendum in April 2016 at their meeting on December 14.
High School Initiatives. Ladue Horton Watkins High School Principal Brad Griffith updated the Board on three major initiatives currently underway at the high school. Details can be found by clicking on the heading of this section.
- Scheduling. The high school integrated a new schedule configuration in the 2015-16 school year. While it is still early in the implementation process, data from the first six weeks of schools reflect that average daily attendance has increased, instances of students being tardy have decreased, behavioral referrals have decreased, the number of D’s and F’s has decreased in every grade, and the number of A’s and B’s has increased. Mr. Griffith cautioned that while it is not possible to tie each of these changes directly to changes in the schedule, it is the only major variable that has changed this year. Academic and behavioral performance will continue to be tracked and reported as it becomes available, and adjustments will be made, as necessary, once more long term trends are defined.
- Reading Plus. Mr. Griffith provided an update on this computer-based, silent reading program aimed at increasing the speed of reading, as well as comprehension and vocabulary. Initial results from students participating in pilot programs reflects success in all three areas, in addition to score improvements in the reading section of the ACT.
- Credit Recovery. Mr. Griffith reported that the high school currently has 12 students enrolled in the program and all of them are making progress towards course completion and several have completed a full semester, earning credit towards graduation.
- Limitless Learning. Instructional Technology Coordinator Adam Stirrat reviewed the status of the high school’s one-to-one technology program, including teacher utilization, electronic textbooks, and systems under consideration for managing appropriate access and usage.
- High School Renovation. Mr. Griffith expressed the high school staff’s enthusiasm for the renovation efforts, explaining that a great deal of time and energy has been put behind ensuring both student needs and programming needs are being appropriately addressed in the designs under consideration.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on November 23, 2015, at 7 p.m. in the Ladue Horton Watkins High School library (1201 South Warson Road, 63124). Tentative agenda items include the following.
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting November 23, 2015:
ACTION
- Board Policy Changes
- Acceptance of Auditor’s Report
- 2016-17 LECC Tuition and BASK/TAS Rates
INFORMATION
- 2016-17 High School Course Change Proposal(s)
- 2015-16 Revised Budget
- Community Survey Results and Analysis
