This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the Dec. 14, 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.
December Excellence in Education Award
Claire Belz, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, Ladue Early Childhood Center
Claire Belz, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, Ladue Early Childhood Center
Board President's Remarks
- Board President Jeff Kopolow announced that the period for filing for candidacy for the Board of Education begins on Dec. 15, 2015, at 8 a.m. and will continue until Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, at 5 p.m. Two positions are available for three-year terms. Additional information can be found on the home page of the district’s website.
Superintendent Remarks
- Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke congratulated Claire Belz on receiving the December Excellence in Education Award, noting the importance of a great start in school and how much Ms. Belz’s work with our littlest learners at the early childhood center is valued and appreciated.
- Roger Scherk, a long-time champion of Character Education in the district, as well as a Ladue Middle School counselor, recently graduated from the Character Education Academy — a complex and comprehensive year-long professional development experience for school leaders to help develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to create, implement and evaluate programs and processes that make their schools true learning communities.
- Dr. Jahnke recently received a note from Superintendent Dr. Mike Fulton of the Pattonville School District, complimenting the Ladue Horton Watkins High School (LHWHS) debate team on their tournament last weekend. The Ladue Horton Watkins High School (LHWHS) Talking Rams had six tournament champions, with 21 different team members receiving awards, and the team taking second place in the sweepstakes.
- College acceptances for early admission are beginning to come in, with Dec. 15 being a significant date for Early Decision/Early Action acceptances to be announced. However, many colleges released their decisions early this year. LHWHS Class of 2016 Early Decision/Early Action acceptances from this past weekend include: Washington University (12), Harvard (2), Vanderbilt (2), Stanford, CalTech, Duke, Northeastern, Rhodes, Wooster and Tulane.
ACTION ITEM
2016-2017 High School Course Change Proposals. Dr. Jahnke and LHWHS Principal Brad Griffith presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendations for additions, revisions, deletions and name changes for a number of high school courses. This follows an annual review which resulted in three new courses, the deletion of seven courses and name changes for nine courses. (Name changes do not involve a change in curriculum.)
2015-2016 Revised Budget. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the 2015-16 Revised Budget. The 2015-16 Preliminary Budget was approved on June 22, 2015, and as happens each year, has been adjusted and revised based on the availability of more accurate revenue and expense data than is available in the summer prior to the school year beginning. This year’s budget includes a capital budget breakdown which has not been included in years past.
The unrestricted operating budget will be a surplus budget with the district accumulating an unrestricted fund balance of approximately 49 percent when the budget year ends on June 30, 2016. However, as planned after the passage of Proposition 1 in 2012, in the next budget year, the district will likely deficit spend as the district uses the funds it has built up to carry it through budget years with minimal increases in operating revenue.
Bond Referendum Discussion/Decision. After nearly two years of research, discussion and gathering community feedback, the Board voted to place an $85.1 million bond referendum on the April 5, 2016, ballot with the primary purpose of renovating the district’s high school. The name of the request will be Proposition R and is currently anticipated to increase the current debt service levy by $0.37 - $0.39. If passed, the bond issue will allow for major renovation of the academic core of the building constructed in the 1950s and 1960s, and more moderate renovation of somewhat newer portions of the building. In addition, the bond issue would also fund approximately $2 million in safety, security and technology upgrades in other district facilities.
Approximately $9.5 million in other projects will be prioritized and funded through alternative sources, or from cost savings identified as the design of the academic core of the high school is further refined and as construction progresses. Significant contingencies have been built into construction estimates for the project due to the age of the facility. Extensive abatement of hazardous materials, such as asbestos and lead, is anticipated and currently unknown structural deficiencies may be identified as rebuilding and renovation take place. As savings are identified, these other components will be incorporated into the project and include renovation of one of the newer sections of the high school built in 1971 and smaller projects at other district facilities.
In addition, the Ladue Education Foundation has raised nearly $2 million in pledges toward the high school renovation project, and the eventual sale of the property on Clayton Road (the former early childhood center) may also be available to assist in offsetting expenses for the high school renovation, less extensive projects at other district facilities, and the high school stadium and athletic fields.
INFORMATION ITEMS
District Solicited Proposal for Bond Counsel. Dr. Buckner updated the Board on the Request for Proposal the administration issued for Bond Counsel Services to be used if the Board decided to move forward with a bond referendum in April 2016. The final date for proposals to be submitted was Dec. 11, 2015, and the administration is in the process of reviewing the proposals and determining the selection process. A recommendation to the Board is anticipated on Jan. 12, 2016. One of the first functions of the company selected will be to assist the district with final ballot language to be filed with the St. Louis County Board of Elections no later than Jan. 26, 2016.
Second Semester Board Agenda Calendar. Dr. Jahnke reviewed the Tentative Board Agenda Calendar for the second semester. This calendar provides a general outline of the topics to be discussed by the Board and is amended, as needed, as new topics and issues arise.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Work Session on Jan. 12, 2016, at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road. The following meeting will be a Business Meeting at 7 p.m. on Jan. 25, 2016, 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 Jan. 12, 2016:
ACTION
- Bond Counsel Agreement
- Ballot Language
INFORMATION
- Update on High School Building Project
- Curriculum Objectives for Band and Orchestra
- SSD Partnership Agreement
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting Jan. 25, 2016:
School Board Recognition Week
Announcement of School Board Candidates
ACTION
- Annual Renewal of Agreement to Participate in PEGS
- Curriculum Objectives for Band and Orchestra
- SSD Partnership Agreement
INFORMATION
- 2016 District Summer Programs
- 2017-18 School Calendar
- Update on High School Building Project
