This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the April 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.
Excellence in Education Award
Amy Grunwaldt, Counselor, Conway Elementary School
Board President's Remarks
- Board President Sheri Glantz extended her sympathies to the family and friends of Nick Olson, a junior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School who was killed in a car accident this past weekend. Mrs. Glantz said the Board and administration are keeping Nick’s loved ones in their thoughts and will provide comfort and support to the family, students and staff in any way possible.
Superintendent Remarks
- Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke also offered her sincere condolences and led those attending the meeting in a moment of silence in Nick’s honor.
ACTION ITEM
Support Staff Salary Range. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation for support staff titles, salary ranges, and salary adjustments for the 2016-17 school year. Adjustments vary by employee based upon where each staff member currently falls within the salary range for their position.
Designation of Delegates and Alternates for MSBA, SSD Governing Council and EdPlus Legislative Liaison. The Board approved the appointments of the following Board members as liaisons to associations with which the district regularly meets and collaborates.
- Missouri School Board Association: Sheri Glantz (Andy Bresler, alternate)
- Special School District: Sheldon Johnson (Sheri Glantz, alternate)
- EdPlus Legislative Liaison: Dr. Jahnke (Jeff Kopolow, alternate)
Update on High School Building Project. Dr. Jahnke and Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Dr. Jason Buckner facilitated an update on the high school renovation project. They recommended, and the Board approved, the approval of Project Report #1. (The entire report is available by clicking on the header of this paragraph.)
As an overview, Project Director for S.M. Wilson Kort Cole provided a construction status update including information on the status of design and engineering; estimating, budgeting, and bidding; procurement; permitting and scheduling.
In addition, Financial Advisor for Sentry Financial, Matt DeLeo, and Bond Counsel for Thompson Coburn, Ali Tilghman, outlined the process and timeline for bond sales. The district, under the advisement of these organizations, is currently in the process of selecting underwriters. Funding is anticipated to be available to the district the second week of June. The process and timeline presented includes the use of local underwriters and the incorporation of some local retail distribution. At the May 23, 2016, meeting, the Board will be asked to approve the bond resolution which will include the pricing parameters of the bond sale and give the Board president permission to sign the documents required to execute the sale of the bonds.
Dr. Jahnke provided an administrative update and facilitated a conversation regarding the creation of a structure to allow for expedient, required discussions and approvals as construction progresses. A discussion about the formation of a Special High School Project Board Advisory Committee ensued, to allow for the public to hear discussion on construction issues and items for Board approval. This group might also be authorized (within certain thresholds established) to make decisions on behalf of the Board in an effort to expedite construction. Board Members Andy Bresler, Carolyn Jaeger and Sheldon Johnson will represent the Board at these meetings and finalization of the structure and parameters will take place at the May 23, 2016 Board meeting.
INFORMATION ITEMS
2016-2017 Board Meeting Dates. Dr. Jahnke outlined the anticipated schedule for Board meetings for the 2016-17 school year.
Elementary Attendance Areas. Dr. Jahnke outlined a proposal to make minor changes to the district’s elementary school boundaries in an effort to ease potential overcrowding of Spoede Elementary School that may result from two apartment complexes currently under construction on Olive Boulevard in the Spoede Elementary attendance area. These changes involve streets northwest of the intersection of Lindbergh Boulevard and Conway Road. At one time, students residing in this area attended Conway Elementary but were reassigned to Spoede Elementary in the early 1990’s. The administration’s recommendation is for this area to be assigned back to Conway for the 2016-17 school year.
Families who currently have students enrolled in Spoede Elementary would be “grandfathered” into Spoede Elementary (if desired) and would not be impacted by this change unless they voluntarily chose to change elementary schools. Specific guidelines for making this change can be found by clicking on the header of this paragraph. The Board will be asked to approve this proposal at the May 23, 2016 meeting.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Work Session on May 10, 2016. The following meeting will be a Business Meeting at 7 p.m. on May 23, 2016. Both meetings will be held at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road. Tentative agenda items include the following.
Tentative Agenda Items for Work Session May 10, 2016:
INFORMATION
- Update on High School Building Project
- Bond Parameters Resolution
- Administrative Updates
- Limitless Learning Update
- Extra Duty Stipend Amounts
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting May 23, 2016:
ACTION
- 2016-2017 Extra Duty Stipend Amounts
- Bond Parameters Resolution
- Elementary Attendance Areas
INFORMATION
- Consolidated Application for Federal Grants
- 2016-2017 Testing Schedule
- Update on High School Building Project
- Project Report #2
- Administrative Updates
- 2016-2017 School Lunch Prices
- 2016-2017 Budget Introduction & Financial Planning
- Board Member Assignment to Board Advisory & Other Committees
- Recommended Patron Appointments to Board Advisory Committees
