Thursday, June 25, 2015

Board Briefs from June 22, 2015 Business Meeting

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the June 22, 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.


      Board President's Remarks
      • Board President Jeff Kopolow thanked Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Laura Brock for her two years of service to the district.  He noted his appreciation for her upbeat attitude, professionalism and hard work on behalf of the students of the district and wished her well in her future endeavors.  
      Superintendent Remarks
      • Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke also extended her appreciation to Dr. Brock, commenting on her appreciation for her hard work through the very end of her tenure with the district and continuing to bring projects forward and to completion.  
      ACTION ITEM

      Approval of 2015-16 Preliminary Budget. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the 2015-16 Preliminary Operating Budget with expenses totaling approximately $59.6 million, and resulting in an unrestricted surplus of approximately $98,000.  The budget presented complies with the 2% budget increase parameters provided by the Board in September 2012 as a means to delay the potential need to request additional funding from district taxpayers.  

      Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Laura Brock presented, and the Board approved, the district's Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) for 2015-20.  The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires all school districts to develop and institute a Strategic Plan or Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP).  Over the past two years, the administration has worked collaboratively with the Board Advisory Committees to develop the new 2015-20 Strategic Plan (CSIP).


      Teacher Evaluation Program. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Mr. Ken Rossics presented, and the Board approved, the changes the administration is recommending for the teacher evaluation program in order to meet new DESE requirements.  Evaluation Committee members sought input from staff and attended trainings in order to collaborate with administration on refinements to the program.  

      Board Policy BBFA. Dr. Jahnke presented, and the Board approved, the re-adoption of BBFA - Board Member Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosure to be filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission by September 15, 2015, per state statute.  

      Board Policy Revisions. Dr. Jahnke presented, and the Board approved, nineteen recently revised policies.  The majority of the revisions reflected are due to changes required by DESE and/or state law and recommended by the Missouri School Boards' Association.

      Acceptance of FY16 Vocational-Technical Education Enhancement Grant. Dr. Brock presented, and the Board approved, the administration's recommendation to accept a $76,162 Vocational-Technical Education Enhancement Grant to be used for equipment, supplies and professional development for the district's Project Lead the Way (PLTW) program at the high school.  

      INFORMATION ITEMS

      Professional Development Report and Plan. Dr. Brock and Ladue Middle School Administrative Intern and chair of the the District Professional Development Committee Sarah Adams Schwartz presented the 2014-15 Professional Development report.  The report outlines the committee's areas of focus for the 2014-15 school year, as well as an overview of plans for 2015-16.

      SAS122 Internal Controls/Risk Assessment. Dr. Buckner presented the district's "Guide to Internal Controls and Risk Management" which must be provided to the Board on an annual basis in order to comply with Statement of Auditing Standards (SAS) 122 requirements and is used as a tool to continue strong internal financial controls.  

      Elementary Report Card Presentation. Dr. Brock presented an update on the district's change to standards-based elementary report cards.  All elementary schools will use the new report cards beginning in the 2015-16 school year.  Parents will be provided information in various formats, and teacher and parent input will be welcomed throughout the year.  

      Facility Planning and Enrollment. Dr. Jahnke and Dr. Buckner presented an update on the district's facilities planning and enrollment in order to begin conversations regarding the availability of classroom space in all district school buildings for the 2015-16 school year and beyond.  

      Board Advisory Committee Reappointments. Dr. Jahnke presented information on two patron reappointment requests to the district's Board Advisory Committees beyond the normal two-term limit. 

      UPCOMING MEETINGS

      The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on July 27, 2015 at 7 p.m. at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.  Tentative agenda items include the following.  

      Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting July 27, 2015:

      ACTION
        • 2015-16 Professional Development Goals
        • Board Advisory Committee Reappointments
        • 2015-16 Tuition Rate for Nonresident Property Owners
      INFORMATION
        • District Activities Report

      Monday, June 15, 2015

      Board Briefs from June 11, 2015 Work Session

      This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue School Board of Education at the June 11, 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 noted the district's entire administrative team had recently spent two days in a workshop focused on Diversity, Equity and Achievement.  The workshop provided valuable time to explore these topics and to connect with colleagues.

      WORK SESSION ITEMS

      Comprehensive School Improvement Program Review.  Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Laura Brock presented the Strategic Plan Summary Document for the district's Comprehensive School Improvement Plan.  The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires all school districts to develop and institute a Strategic Plan or Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP).  Over the past two years, the administration has worked collaboratively with the Board Advisory Committees to develop the new 2015-20 Strategic Plan (CSIP). The Strategic Plan Summary Document outlines the goals, objectives and strategies for the plan and the CSIP will be recommended for approval at the June 22, 2015 Board meeting. 


      Teacher Evaluation Program.  Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented the changes the administration is recommending for the teacher evaluation program in order to meet new DESE requirements.  Evaluation Committee members sought input from staff and attended trainings in order to collaborate with administration on refinements to the program.  

      2015-16 Budget Review. Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Dr. Jason Buckner provided a review of an initial draft of the district's 2015-16 Preliminary Operating Budget.  The draft reflects an operating budget of approximately $59.6 million, which will result in an unrestricted surplus of approximately $98,000.  The budget presented complies with the 2% budget increase parameters provided by the Board in September 2012 as a means to delay the potential need to request additional funding from district taxpayers.  

      Master Plan Phase I High School Presentation.  Dr. Jahnke and Dr. Buckner presented a high school renovation concept to the Board which was developed after months of collaborative work with teachers, students and administrators, as well as community input, on five preliminary concepts.  The Board will review and discuss the plan and project costs are in the process of being estimated.  A second community engagement process is being planned for the fall so stakeholder groups can provide additional feedback on the project.  

      Board Policy Revisions Dr. Jahnke presented nineteen revised policies for the Board's review.  The majority of the revisions reflected are due to changes required by DESE and/or state law and recommended by the Missouri School Board's Association.

      Gifts to Reed and Spoede Schools. Dr. Jahnke presented a recommendation to the Board to approve two gifts to the district, as required for any gift over $500.  One will fund the building of a walking path at Reed Elementary School at a cost of $37,500 - $48,075.  The second will fund the purchase of 25 MacBook Airs and 40 iPads for Spoede Elementary School at a cost of $38,910.  

      UPCOMING MEETINGS
      The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on June 22, 2015.  The following meeting will be a Business Meeting on July 27, 2015.   Both meetings will begin at 7 p.m. and be held at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.  
      Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting June 22, 2015:

      ACTION
        • Consolidated Application for Federal Grants
        • 2015-2016 Student Testing Schedule
        • Physical Education Curriculum Objectives
        • High School Course Change Proposal
        • 2015-2016 School Lunch Prices
        • Hearing and Approval of 2015-2016 Preliminary Budget
        • CSIP
        • Teacher Evaluation Program
        • Board Policy Revisions
        • Final 2014-2015 Bus Routes
      INFORMATION
        • Professional Development Report and Plan
        • SAS115 Internal Controls/Risk Assessment
        • Elementary Report Card Presentation 
        • Facility Planning and Enrollment 

      Monday, June 1, 2015

      Board Briefs from May 27, 2015 Business Meeting

      This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue School Board of Education at the May 27, 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.


          Board President's Remarks
          • Jeff Kopolow congratulated Principal Brad Griffith on an outstanding graduation event on May 17, despite weather forcing the event indoors.
          Superintendent Remarks
          • Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke announced the completion of another successful school year.  This year, 4,157 students attended our schools, with a graduating class of over 300.  Ladue Schools, as well as individual students and staff members, continue to be recognized frequently for outstanding achievements and she is very proud of the work being done in the district.    
          ACTION ITEM

          Bid for Community Survey.  Dr. Jahnke presented, and the Board approved, the administration's recommendation for Patron Insight, Inc. to perform a community survey this fall which will be designed to gauge community support for a high school renovation project, as well as measure the community's perceptions and satisfaction with the district's educational effectiveness, management and communications.  Patron Insight, Inc. has worked successfully with the district in the last two community surveys which were performed in 2009 and 2011.

          Change in March 2016 Board Meeting Date. Dr. Jahnke recommended, and the Board approved, rescheduling the previously approved Board meeting date of March 14, 2016 to March 28, 2016.  (The previously approved date falls during Spring Break week.)

          INFORMATION ITEMS

          Consolidated Application for Federal Grants.  Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Laura Brock presented recommendations for the district's applications to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for 2015-16 Title programs. There has been a slight reduction in funds for the two program for which the district is eligible to apply. 
          • Title I-A: Targeted Assistance for Disadvantaged Students - $143,260
          • Title II-A: Improving Teacher Quality State Grants - $71,910
          2015-16 Testing Schedule.  Dr. Brock outlined changes in the assessments that will be used in the 2015-16 school year.  

          Physical Education Curriculum Objectives.  Dr. Brock presented the Physical Education Objectives recommended to be used K-12.  They have been reviewed and updated to meet or exceed the state's Grade Level Expectations (GLEs).

          High School Course Change Proposal.  Dr. Brock presented a recommendation for Reading Plus, a supplemental reading course, to be added to the high school's course options.

          2015-16 School Lunch Prices. Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Dr. Jason Buckner presented the district's recommendation for school lunch prices to remain unchanged for the 2015-16 school year. 

          2015-16 Budget Introduction. Dr. Buckner presented a five-year financial history of the district, the anticipated 2015-16 budget expenditures and the five-year financial projections for the district for purposes of discussion and planning.  At the June 10, 2015 Board meeting, the budget will be reviewed in greater detail.  It is anticipated the Board will approve the 2015-16 Preliminary Budget on June 22, 2015, in order to meet the legal requirement of approving a budget by July 1 of each school year.  

          Board Member Assignment to Board Advisory and Other Committee. Mr. Kopolow outlined the Board member committee and liaison school assignments for the 2015-16 school year.


          UPCOMING MEETINGS

          The next Board of Education meeting will be a Work Session on June 10, 2015.  The following meeting will be a Business Meeting on June 22, 2015.   Both meetings will be held at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.  Tentative agenda items include the following.  

          Tentative Agenda Items for Work Session June 10, 2015:
          • 2015-2016 Budget Review
          • CSIP Review
          • Teacher Evaluation Program
          • Board Policy Revisions
          • Master Plan Phase I High School Campus Presentation
          Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting June 22, 2015:

          ACTION
            • Consolidated Application for Federal Grants
            • 2015-2016 Student Testing Schedule
            • Physical Education Curriculum Objectives
            • High School Course Change Proposal
            • 2015-2016 School Lunch Prices
            • Hearing and Approval of 2015-2016 Preliminary Budget
            • CSIP
            • Teacher Evaluation Program
            • Board Policy Revisions
            • Final 2014-2015 Bus Routes
          INFORMATION
            • Professional Development Report and Plan
            • SAS115 Internal Controls/Risk Assessment
            • Elementary Report Card Presentation 
            • Facility Planning and Enrollment