This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the June 27, 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.
ACTION ITEM
Approval of 2016-2017 Preliminary Budget. Dr. Jason Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation for the 2016-17 Preliminary Operating Budget. The budget reflects unrestricted expenditures of approximately $59.2 million and revenues totaling approximately $59.6 million.
As a result of budget planning, the passage of Proposition 1 in April 2012 and in coordination with the board’s approval of a 2% unrestricted operating budget increase parameter in September 2012, the last five budgets have experienced a surplus which will extend the length of time before the Board will need to consider asking taxpayers for additional support for operating expenses. The Preliminary Budget projects a 52.37% unrestricted fund balance at the end of the 2016-17 budget year. The next year’s operating budget (2017-18) will begin to deficit spend as originally planned during the Prop 1 planning process.
Board Policy Revisions. Dr. Jahnke presented, and the Board approved, 13 policy revisions. The majority of the revisions are due to changes required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and/or state law, and are recommended by the Missouri School Board’s Association. Others add provisions for the Board to make timely decisions regarding the high school renovation project.
Comprehensive School Improvement Program/Strategic Plan. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Jennifer Allen presented, and the Board approved, the district’s Comprehensive School Improvement Program (CSIP). The district’s CSIP outlines the objectives, strategies and programs that guide the district and encompasses the district’s Strategic Plan. The district will begin development of a new Strategic Plan beginning in the fall of the 2016-17 school year.
Performance-Based Evaluation Program Changes/Certified Staff. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented, and the Board approved, refinements to the evaluation program as recommended by the Evaluation Committee. Changes include the addition of new standards and criteria for counselors and technology specialists, as well as minor timeline and wording adjustments on forms. In addition, online evaluation will become mandatory in the 2016-17 school year.
Board Representative to Special School District. Mrs. Glantz recommended, and the Board approved, the appointment Mrs. Glantz as Board Representative to Special School District with Board Member Nancy Goldstein as alternate.
High School Renovation Bid Awards. Dr. Buckner recommended, and the Board approved, awarding two contracts in relation to the high school renovation.
- Provision DS was awarded the contract for providing networking hardware, software, and installation of the new data network and WIFI infrastructure at the high school and all other district locations.
- Marschel Wrecking (Building Demolition), Briner Electric (Building Demolition Electrical), and Rock Hill Mechanical (Building Demolition Mechanical) were awarded the bid for demolition of the portion of the building to be completely rebuilt.
Apple Lease Agreement. Mr. Rossics presented, and the Board approved, a four-year lease agreement for instructional technology resources as outlined in the district’s overall technology replacement plan.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Update on High School Building Project. Project Director for S.M. Wilson Kort Cole provided construction progress report #3 which included updates on design and engineering; finance and budget; bidding and procurement, including approval requests; permitting; scheduling; and construction. Photos of both internal and external temporary classrooms are included in the linked document.
Matt DeLeo of Sentry Financial and Bond Counsel from Thompson Coburn, Ali Tilghman, presented the official results of the bond sales as a result of voters approving Proposition R on April 5, 2016. Bonds were competitively sold for a total of $85.9 million.
Professional Development Report & Plan. Dr. Allen introduced Drew Crismon, chair of the District Professional Development Committee and math teacher at the high school, who presented a report on the professional development opportunities that took place during the 2015-16 school year. The report included an overview of the activities that took place, how they tie to the district’s Strategic Plan and how the knowledge and skills gained will be used to improve student achievement going forward.
Performance-Based Evaluation/Support Staff. Mr. Rossics presented an overview of the district’s plans to institute performance-based evaluation for the district’s support staff in the 2016-17 school year. The revisions will include the development of professional goals for support staff at all levels.
SAS122 Internal Controls/Risk Assessment Document. Dr. Buckner presented the district's "Guide to Internal Controls and Risk Management" which must be provided to the Board on an annual basis in order to comply with Statement of Auditing Standards (SAS) 122 requirements and is used as a tool to continue strong internal financial controls.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on July 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 July 25, 2016:
ACTION
- 2016-17 Professional Development Goals
- Performance-Based Evaluation Program Changes/Support Staff
- SSD Carl Perkins Consortium Allocation Agreement
- 2016-17 Tuition Rate for Nonresident Property Owners
INFORMATION
- District Activities Report
- Update on High School Building Project
- Project Report #4
- Administrative Updates
