This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the March 28, 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.
March Excellence in Education Award
Emily Taylor, Art Teacher, Fifth Grade Center
Board President's Remarks
- Board President Jeff Kopolow acknowledged that while the achievements of high school students often make a “bigger splash” in the news, the talents, knowledge, confidence and abilities required for these students to succeed in such spectacular ways are most often developed well before they get to the high school. Mr. Kopolow thanked all those teachers who assist in making sure these students are well prepared for the opportunities presented to them once they get into high school, college and careers.
Superintendent Remarks
- Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke congratulated the many student groups and teams who have recently received awards and recognitions. These achievements, and many others, are highlighted on Spotlight on Ladue and include:
- The Ladue Middle School Chess Teams, with the sixth-grade team winning the state championship
- The Ladue Horton Watkins HIgh School (LHWHS) robotics team - Rambunction - aligned with Westminster Christian Academy and Hazelwood Central HIgh School to bring home the second place trophy in the FIRST Robotics St. Louis Regional competition.
- The LHWHS Speech & Debate Team had 13 students qualify for the national tournament
- At the Missouri State DECA competition, ten students qualified for the international competition
- Seven Ladue Middle School students participated in the state MathCounts competition with all seven placing in the Top 25, and five placing in the Top 10
- Ladue Middle School Science Bowl Teams, with the seventh-grade team now preparing for the national competition in April
- The district’s Lead Nurse Ann Body has been named a finalist in the 2016 St. Louis Magazine Excellence in Nursing Awards.
ACTION ITEM
Support Staff 11-Month Position. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation for creating 11-month support staff positions for administrative positions at the elementary level. At this time, there are 10-month and 12-month positions, with basically equivalent duties creating a situation to alter the current system.
INFORMATION ITEMS
High School Building Project Update. Dr. Jahnke and Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner updated the Board on the planning processes currently underway so the district is prepared to move forward efficiently if Proposition R passes on April 5, 2016. Many of the current activities are focused on ensuring the safety of students and staff during the course of construction and finalizing plans to ensure educational opportunities are not diminished during construction. If Prop R passes, activities during the summer of 2016 are anticipated to include construction staging area development, parking lot reconfigurations, demolition, abatement, and the establishment of temporary classrooms.
Summer Capital Projects. Dr. Buckner and Director of Facilities Mike Noonan updated the Board on additional work being planned for the summer of 2016, including: removal and replacement of the cooling tower at Conway Elementary School; installation of site and parking lot lighting at Old Bonhomme Elementary School; asphalt and concrete work at Ladue Middle School, Ladue West Campus and Conway Elementary School; and partial removal and replacement of carpet at most building sites. The Board will vote on these improvements at the April 12, 2016 Board of Education meeting. Should Proposition R pass on April 5, 2016, the administration will also present information at this meeting regarding the synthetic turf field at Ladue West Campus.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Work Session on April 12, 2016, at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road. The following meeting will be a Business Meeting at 7 p.m. on April 25, 2016. Tentative agenda items include the following.
Tentative Agenda Items for Work Session April 12, 2016:
ACTION
- City of Ladue/Human Resource Officer Agreement
- Board Reorganization
- Summer Capital Projects
INFORMATION
- Support Staff Employee Council Report
- Update on High School Building Project
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting April 25, 2016:
ACTION
- Acceptance of Certified Election Results
- Designation of Delegates and Alternates for: MSBA, SSD Governing Council, EdPlus Legislative Liaison
INFORMATION
- 2016-17 Board Meeting Dates
- Budget Update/Five-Year Financial Forecast
- Update on High School Building Project
