This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the April 12, 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.
Board President's Remarks
- Board President Jeff Kopolow commented on how far he believes the Board has come in ensuring the Board’s decisions are well researched, discussed and communicated in a very transparent and appropriate way, and noted that the Board is scrupulous in following the law regarding what decisions are made in open versus closed meetings. Mr. Kopolow is sincerely pleased to have been re-elected to the Ladue Schools Board of Education on April 5, 2016.
- Mr. Kopolow then led farewell remarks to Board Member Dan Regelean who has served for the past three years and is now stepping down. Mr. Kopolow shared how much he has enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to serve with Mr. Regelean, noting that he has learned a great deal from him and considers him a friend. Mr. Kopolow presented Mr. Regelean with a gift in appreciation for his service to the Ladue School District.
Superintendent Remarks
- Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke offered her thanks to the Ladue Schools community for passing Proposition R on April 5, 2016. Approval of this initiative will provide for Ladue Schools students well into the future and reflects an endorsement and appreciation by the community for the great work being done by the district. Dr. Jahnke also specifically thanked the Commit2Ladue leadership team which includes Carl Bisig, Diane and Rod Patershuk, and Kelly Waller. In addition, she thanked MICDS Head of School Lisa Lyle for her unprecedented public support of public schools and Proposition R which reflect the high value our entire community places on education.
- Dr. Jahnke also thanked Board Member Dan Regelean for his service, enthusiasm and contributions to the Board’s work over the last few years, particularly in his area of expertise of Human Resources. She encouraged Mr. Regelean to remain active in our district in other ways.
- Dr. Jahnke acknowledged Jeff Kopolow for his leadership as President of the Board for the last three years. She said he is a true advocate for both students and the community, and has held the entire administration accountable for continuous improvement and fulfillment of stated objectives. During his tenure, considerable strides have been taken in the areas of teacher evaluation, class size reduction, and facilities improvement — particularly in regard to the high school renovation. She looks forward to continuing to work with Mr. Kopolow.
ACTION ITEM
Summer Capital Projects. Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Dr. Jason Buckner and Facilities Director Mike Noonan presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendations for some of the facilities projects scheduled to take place during the summer of 2016. These include scheduled and budgeted carpet and fence replacement, replacement of the cooling tower at Conway Elementary School, and additional parking lot lighting at Old Bonhomme Elementary School.
In addition, the Board approved the administration’s recommendation to select GreenFields, in coordination with Byrne & Jones, a locally owned self-performing contractor, to develop the artificial turf field on the West Campus, which will be funded through revenue generated from the sale of bonds, as approved by the community through Proposition R. The goal is to begin coordination with MSD in an effort to complete this project by Aug. 1, 2016.
Administration of Oaths of Office. Board Secretary Nancy Goldstein administered the Oath of Office to Sheldon Johnson and Jeff Kopolow. On April 5, 2016, voters elected Sheldon Johnson to his first term on the Board and re-elected incumbent Jeff Kopolow to his third term on the Board. Both will serve
three-year terms.
Election of Officers. Board of Education officers for the coming year were elected as follows:
- President Sheri Glantz
- Vice President Andy Bresler
- Treasurer Steve Spratt
- Secretary Carolyn Jaeger
Amended School Calendars for 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19. Dr. Jahnke presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendations for changes to the school calendars and school day for the next three years. These minor changes are being made as a result of voters approving Proposition R and were discussed when the 2017-18 calendar was presented on Feb. 22, 2016. A committee of parents, teachers and administrators also provided input on these calendars and the modifications which might be made if Proposition R passed. These alterations allow for 12-week summer breaks which will increase the time available for heavy construction at the high school without reducing instructional time for students or current teacher contract days. Details of these changes can be found by clicking on the heading to this paragraph.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Support Staff Employee Council Report. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented the Support Staff Employee Council (SSEC) Report which outlines salary and benefit considerations which have resulted from regular SSEC meetings since the beginning of the school year. Recommendation for changes in salary ranges, titles, increase recommendations, evaluation procedures and potential leave revisions are included in the report. The Board of Education will vote on acceptance of the salary related recommendations in the report pertaining to the 2016-17 school year at the meeting on April 25, 2016.
High School Building Project Update. Dr. Jahnke and Dr. Buckner updated the Board of Education on the activities taking place as a result of Proposition R passing on April 5, 2016. These activities include:
- Facilities: Abatement bid refinement; moving logistics; mechanical systems schematic development; relocating of activities/sports/community use, as required.
- Communications: Updating the community on election results and next steps; creating plans for continuous updates on project status; continued work with the Ladue Education Foundation on raising funds for the capital campaign.
- Finance: Developing and executing plans for the initial sale of bonds to be completed within the next two months.
- High School: Making plans for relocation of some classrooms into temporary classrooms, purging materials no longer needed, and creating additional learning experiences for students during construction, while maintaining end of school events for this school year
Weekly meetings with design and construction teams will continue along with regular meetings with the Board and individual Board members to ensure decisions can be made efficiently, as necessary.
Architects and construction managers for the project will be at the April 25, 2016, meeting to present an update and answer questions.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on April 25, 2016 at 7 p.m. at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road. Tentative agenda items include the following.
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting April 25, 2016:
ACTION
- Acceptance of Certified Election Results
- Designation of Board Member Delegates and Alternates for: MSBA, SSD Governing Council, EdPlus Legislative Liaison
INFORMATION
- 2016-2017 Board Meeting Dates
- Budget Update/Five-Year Financial Forecast
- Update on High School Building Project
