Tuesday, February 16, 2016

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.)