Board Briefs from February 22, 2016 Business Meeting

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the February 22, 2016 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.

February Excellence in Education Award

Becky Braddock, Occupational Therapist, Reed Elementary School

Board President's Remarks

• Referring to the current political climate, Board President Jeff Kopolow (and former high school social studies teacher) quipped that for the first time in a long time he wished he was still teaching a Current Events class.

Superintendent Remarks

• Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke congratulated high school students and staff on their recent outstanding production of the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.  She also noted that the Ladue Middle School production of The Little Mermaid Jr. would be performed later in the week and she was looking forward to attending.  

ACTION ITEM

2017-18 School Calendar. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Jennifer Allen presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation for the 2017-18 School Calendar.  The calendar is very similar to previous years’ calendars in terms of student contact days, teacher contact days and days incorporated for staff professional development.  The approved calendar reflects the first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 15, and the last day of school on Wednesday, May 23.  Decisions about future year calendars are subject to revision, by Board approval, should the factors taken into consideration change.

2016 District Summer Programs. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Jennifer Allen presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s plan for the 2016 Summer School Program.  The plan incorporates targeted interventions and project-based learning at all levels for students who need additional support.  The plan includes a recovery program for high school students, a K-8 program and an LECC camp.

Meet and Confer Report/Recommendations. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics and Ladue Educators’ Association Representative Melora Pruneau presented, and the Board approved, the annual Meet and Confer Report.  The Meet and Confer process is used to discuss salary, benefits, and working conditions between the teachers and the district.  Formal sessions have been occurring since early January, resulting in the final agreements/resolutions presented.  With the Board’s approval of the report, any required updates to the Master Agreement will be completed.

Release of Funds for High School Renovation Schematic Design. Dr. Jahnke presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation for funds to be released to the architects selected for the high school renovation project in order for the renovation schematic design to begin.  Should Proposition R pass on April 5, 2016, having this facet of the project started will allow for pre-construction processes to be accelerated and construction to be initiated, and completed, as quickly as possible.

INFORMATION ITEMS

High School Building Project: Construction Team Update. Dr. Jahnke and Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Dr. Jason Buckner, along with the design and construction team of Bond Architects, Hastings & Chivetta and S.M. Wilson, provided the Board with a comprehensive update on the plans being made for a significant high school renovation, should Proposition R pass on April 5, 2016.  Updated floor plans, renderings and digital concepts were reviewed, as well as refined cost projections.  The presentation culminated with the viewing of an Informational Video created to communicate information about the project to the Ladue Schools community.  

Support Staff Classifications. Over time, the differences in job duties for the two administrative assistant positions at the four elementary schools have become blurred.  Mr. Rossics outlined the situation and offered initial recommendations for creating greater consistencies and efficiencies.  These changes, if adopted, could impact salary ranges, work calendars and leave availability and would be implemented via attrition.  

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on March 28, 2016, at 7 p.m. at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.  Tentative agenda items include the following.  

Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting March 28, 2016:

INFORMATION

• Update on High School Building Project

Board Briefs from February 9, 2016 Work Session

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the February 9, 2016 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 expressed his sadness about the recent passing of Bill McCoy.  Mr. McCoy taught woodworking at the high school for years and was currently working part-time for the district.  Mr. Kopolow commented that Mr. McCoy was one of his son’s favorite teachers and will be missed by many.

Superintendent Remarks

• Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke also expressed her condolences on the passing of Bill McCoy, adding that he will be greatly missed by the students and staff of the district.
• Dr. Jahnke offered her congratulations to Jill Badalamenti for her article “The 4 Essentials of a Successful Genius Hour” recently published on eSchool News.  Jill has offered the impetus for this and other successful programs to spread across the district and Dr. Jahnke indicated she expects her pioneer spirit to continue to bring great opportunities to students.

REPORTS

Curriculum & Instruction Updates. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Jennifer Allen and STEM Coordinator Dr. Kevin McColgan reported on the following initiatives that have been the focus of a great deal of energy in the last six to eight months.  Additional details on these topics can be found by clicking on the header to this section.

• Elementary Report Cards.  Report cards for grades 1-4 have been transitioned to a common format and will be distributed each quarter.  Parents have been receptive of the changes in format and adjustments will be made based on parent and staff feedback, and as required due to changes in programming.  Kindergarten report cards are currently being revised.   
• Math in Focus.  After a year and a half of research, a committee selected Math in Focus for K-5 math programming.  This selection does not change the curriculum, but rather the method for delivering instruction.  Math in Focus incorporates recurring work at consistently higher levels, provides context for how skills are used on a practical basis, and incorporates extensive and ongoing professional development and support for math teachers.  
• Informed Enrollment.  This program is being put in place to allow students and their parents/guardians greater participation in course selection in math and English language arts.  Rather than students being “placed” on a pathway of coursework, students and parents will be provided information to help them select the appropriate path based on skill level and enthusiasm for the area of study, in some cases using assessments to guide this process.  
• Six Year Curriculum Cycle. A system is being put in place for course content for every area of curriculum to be reviewed every six years.  The district will continue to maintain curriculum beyond national and state standards.  With the math review completed, the next areas of content to be reviewed will be science and social studies.  

High School Building Project: Other District Projects. Dr. Jahnke and Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Dr. Jason Buckner updated the Board on recommendations for projects to be included in Proposition R in addition to the $82.2 million that will be used for a significant high school renovation should the referendum pass on April 5, 2016.  These are anticipated to be less extensive projects on other district campuses and will include a multi-purpose field to recover field space that will be lost at the high school as a result of construction, temporary classrooms and campus reconfiguration.  The Board will continue this conversation at their meeting on February 22, 2016.

District Enrollment and Attendance Areas. Dr. Jahnke updated the Board on two apartment complexes currently under development in the district and their anticipated impact on enrollment.  The Board will be studying these and other shifts in enrollment over the next few months to determine if boundary shifts should be instituted over time.  No immediate changes are anticipated and any changes made in the future would not change the assignment of students currently attending one of the district’s four K-4 elementary schools.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on February 22, 2016 at 7 p.m. at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.  Tentative agenda items include the following.  

Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting February 22, 2016:

ACTION

• 2017-2018 School Calendar Hearing and Approval
• Meet and Confer Report and Recommendation
• 2016 District Summer Programs

INFORMATION

• Update on Math Actions Plans
• Update on High School Building Project
• Support Staff Classifications (11-mos.)

Board Briefs from January 25, 2016 Business Meeting

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the Jan. 25, 2016 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.

January Excellence in Education Award

Stephanie Towe, Second-Grade Teacher, Old Bonhomme Elementary

School Board Recognition Week

Many thanks to Board Members:

Jeff Kopolow, President

Sheri Glantz, Vice President

Nancy Goldstein, Secretary

Steve Spratt, Treasurer

Andy Bresler, Director

Carolyn Jaeger, Director

Dan Regelean, Director

Board President's Remarks

• Board President Jeff Kopolow expressed his appreciation for the banners displayed around the Board of Education meeting room which were created by students from each school in the district to express their appreciation for the work done by the district’s Board of Education.  A video created by students at Spoede Elementary School was also presented.  
• President Kopolow also announced there are three candidates running for the Board of Education in the April 5, 2016 election.  In filing order, they are: Sheldon Johnson, Jeff Kopolow and Dan Regelean.  Two of these three candidates will fill positions for three-year terms.

Superintendent Remarks

• Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke offered her personal congratulations to Stephanie Towe for being the January Excellence in Education Award recipient.
• Dr. Jahnke thanked the Board of Education for their dedication and hard work on behalf of the students in the district, noting that serving on the Board of Education is a very time-consuming, and often difficult, volunteer position.  She specifically noted how involved Board members have been in the development and approval of programs implemented in the last few years which have had a direct impact on the district’s ability to serve all students.  Board members were presented with a copy of a proclamation from the Governor of Missouri, and a certificate recognizing their leadership in public education from the Missouri School Boards’ Association

ACTION ITEM

Special School District (SSD) Partnership Agreement. Dr. Jahnke presented, and the Board approved, an agreement documenting how SSD and partner districts will work together going forward to implement special education services and career technical education.  The purpose of the document is to more clearly articulate the partnership between the two organizations. The next step will be to define specifically what these agreements will mean in practice.

INFORMATION ITEMS

2016 District Summer Programs. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Jennifer Allen presented a proposed 2016 Summer School Program plan which incorporates targeted interventions and project-based learning at all levels for students who need additional support.  The plan includes a recovery program for high school students, a K-8 program and an LECC camp.  The Board will finalize decisions regarding summer programs at their Feb. 22, 2016 Business Meeting.  

2017-2018 School Calendar. Dr. Allen presented the 2017-18 calendar to the Board for review, along with comparisons to the previous four calendars.  The calendars are very similar in terms of number of students contact days, teacher contacts days and days incorporated for staff professional development.  The proposed calendar reflects the first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 15, and the last day of school on Wednesday, May 23.  The Board will make a decision about the 2017-18 school calendar at their Feb. 22, 2016 Business Meeting.  Decisions about future year calendars are subject to revision, by Board approval, should the factors taken into consideration change.  

Update on High School Building Project. Dr. Jahnke and Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Dr. Jason Buckner updated the Board on the high school renovation project, noting design refinements and project cost estimating are continuing.  In addition, additional opportunities for sharing information about the project with the Ladue Schools community are being planned and will be announced soon.  Administration has asked the construction and design teams to present detailed information regarding the status of the project at the Feb. 22 Board of Education meeting.  This presentation will be timely as the district begins another thorough community engagement process prior to the April 5 election.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education meeting will be a Work Session on Feb. 9, 2016 at 6 p.m. at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.  Tentative agenda items include the following.  

Tentative Agenda Items for Work Session Feb. 9, 2016:

INFORMATION

• Update on High School Building Project
• High School Schedule Report
• Curriculum and Instruction Updates
• Elementary Attendance Areas

Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting Feb. 22, 2016:

ACTION

• 2017-18 School Calendar Hearing and Approval
• Meet and Confer Report and Recommendation
• 2016 District Summer Programs

INFORMATION

• Update on Math Action Plans
• Update on High School Building Project
• LEF Report
• Support Staff Classifications (11 months)