This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the July 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.
Board President's Remarks
- Board President Sheri Glantz commented that she is looking forward to activities in preparation of the beginning of school, and particularly the opportunity to welcome new staff to the district on August 1.
Superintendent Remarks
- Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke noted there is a lot of activity taking place around the district in order to have all of our schools ready for students to arrive on August 16. In particular, the high school campus is very busy with extensive site work in progress, and temporary classrooms being prepared.
- New staff will begin orientation on August 1, all staff will return by August 8 and school will begin on August 16.
ACTION ITEM
2016-2017 Tuition Rate for Nonresident Property Owners. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner presented, and the Board approved, a tuition rate of $15,147.21 for the 2016-17 school year. The rate was calculated using the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE's) Suggested Worksheet for Determination of Basic Tuition Charge. This tuition rate includes the debt service levy. The Board is required by the state to set and approve a rate each year. The district does not accept students on a tuition basis except as noted in Policy JECA.
Board Policy Revision. Dr. Jahnke and Mrs. Glantz recommended, and the Board approved, minor modifications to Board Policy JECA (Admission of Students).
Course Change Proposal. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Jennifer Allen presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation for temporary course changes at the high school for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 school years due to construction at the high school. 3D Design will replace Ceramics I, Ceramics II, Sculpture I and Sculpture II. In the 2018-19 school year, course selections are anticipated to revert to the course selections available in the 2015-16 school year.
High School Renovation Expense Approvals. The Board approved the administration’s recommendation to approve the following contracts outlined in Project Report #4 as associated with the high school renovation:
- Bommarito Construction and Byrne & Jones for site work associated with parking lots
- McClure Engineering to provide energy modeling to be used for baseline information for Ameren Missouri’s BizRate incentive program. The cost for modeling is $33,000, with an estimated expected return in excess of $80,000.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Update on High School Building Project. Project Director for S.M. Wilson Kort Cole provided construction progress report #4 which included updates on design and engineering; permitting; finance and budget; bidding and procurement; scheduling; and current construction activity. Photos of both internal and external temporary classrooms are included in the linked document.
District Activities Report. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented the Extracurricular Activity Reports for the 2015-16 school year which provides a review of all the high school clubs, organizations and athletic programs for the previous school year, including the purpose of the organization, the number of participants, team records and highlights (as applicable), and the names of sponsors/coaches.
Performance-Based Evaluation Program/Support Staff Updates. Mr. Rossics presented the 2016-17 Support Staff Evaluation Program Manual which the Board will be asked to approve at their meeting on August 22, 2016. Primary changes include:
- Creation of a manual consistent with the evaluation processes for other employee groups
- Incorporating the setting of professional goals into the evaluation process
- Creation of a document to capture specific exemplary items and/or areas of concern
- Establishment of a formal mentoring processes
- Utilization of an online evaluation process
Strategic Planning Process. Dr. Jahnke updated the Board on the administration’s plan for updating the district’s Strategic Plan during the course of the 2016-17 school year. This process will include analysis of the district’s current Strategic Plan; the gathering of quantitative and qualitative data from constituents, including parents, students and staff; and utilization of the district’s Board Advisory Committees to study data and make recommendations for Priority Initiatives to be included in the next Strategic Plan. The updated plan will begin to be implemented in the 2017-18 school year which begins on July 1, 2017.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on August 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 August 22, 2016:
ACTION
- Performance-Based Evaluation Program/Support Staff
- SSD Contract for Homebound Services
INFORMATION
- Update on High School Building Project
- Project Report #5
- Administrative Updates
- Board of Education Goals/Work Plan
- First Semester Board Meeting Agenda Calendar
- Budget Parameters Discussion
- Strategic Planning Evaluation and Future Planning
