Monday, January 30, 2017

Board Briefs from Jan. 23, 2017 Business Meeting

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the Jan. 23, 2017 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.


January Excellence in Education Award
Terri Linhoff-Balk, Special School District Deaf/Hard of Hearing Teacher, Ladue Early Childhood Center

School Board Recognition Week
Many thanks to Board Members:
Sheri Glantz, President
Andy Bresler, Vice President
Carolyn Jaeger, Secretary
Steve Spratt, Treasurer
Nancy Goldstein, Director
Sheldon Johnson, Director
Jeff Kopolow, Director

Board President's Remarks
  • Board President Sheri Glantz announced that seven district residents have filed for candidacy to fill three Board of Education positions to be decided in the April 4, 2017, General Municipal Election.  In the order they will appear on the ballot, they are:  Kisha Lee, Andy Bresler, Carolyn Jaeger, Chris Zoellner, Lolita Flinn, Leslie T. Tolliver, and Patrick Coughlin.
Superintendent Remarks
  • Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke read a proclamation from former Missouri Governor Jay Nixon recognizing the work of school boards and designating Jan. 22-28 as School Board Recognition Week.  On behalf of the district, Dr. Jahnke presented a certificate to each Board member and thanked them for their service, noting that the marquees on all district buildings include a message to recognize and celebrate the service of district Board members.  
  • Dr. Jahnke shared that 35 high school students attended the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., with high school teachers Mike Hill and Chris Saxton and the high school principal, Brad Griffith.  
  • District residents are encouraged to attend the annual Chili Supper sponsored by the LHWHS Parent Association on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 at 5 p.m.  There will be performances by the high school cheerleaders and band, Ladue Sparkle Effect, and the Laduettes.  Both the girls and boys junior varsity and varsity teams will be playing.  
ACTION ITEMS
2017-18 Revised School Calendar. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Jennifer Allen presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendations for changes to the district calendar for the 2017-18 school year.  The 2017-18 calendar was originally approved on April 12, 2016.  However, the calendar was revised to extend winter break in order to accommodate moving classrooms into the new addition for use during the second semester.  The adjustment to the calendar maintains 175 school days and 188 teacher days.  Details of the changes can be found by clicking on the header to this paragraph.  

Facilities Services. Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Dr. Jason Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation to continue to retain the services of ABBCO Service Corporation for facilities services for an additional year.  These duties provided by ABBCO include cleaning, equipment and supplies.  The decision was largely based on the advantages gained by maintaining the existing relationship and district knowledge while significant facility work is taking place across the district.  Details can be found by clicking on the header to this paragraph.  

Employee Benefits Consultant. Dr. Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation to retain HM Employee Benefits for a three-year service contract to provide benefits and human resources consulting.  This decision is largely based on the need to have additional resources for managing required employee benefit programs, such as Affordable Care, FMLA, and COBRA, as well as adding expertise in employee law and open enrollment processes.  

High School Building Project Report and Approvals. Project Director for S.M. Wilson Kort Cole presented, and the Board approved, contractor pay applications for the month of December.  Mr. Cole also provided construction progress report #10 which includes updates on design and engineering; permitting; finance and budget; bidding and procurement; scheduling; and current construction activity.  Photos of various components of the project are included in the linked document.  

Olivette TIF. Board of Education Director Sheldon Johnson led the Board in a conversation regarding a request from the City of Olivette for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) in relation to a proposed project at the southwest corner of the intersection of Olive Boulevard and I-170.  A TIF is a method of financially supporting development that involves approving the alteration of the typical taxation requirements by the municipalities and/or government organizations with taxing authority over the development, such as a school district.  

The Board voted to provide Mr. Johnson and Board of Education Director Nancy Goldstein with the authority to vote in favor of the request when the TIF Commission votes.  (The Ladue School District casts two out of the twelve total votes from all taxing authorities.)  The decision was predicated on specific financial terms of the arrangement and the Board’s opinion that the proposed project will encourage economic growth that will be beneficial to both the city and the district in the long-term.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Staff Attendance. Having teachers in their classrooms and engaged with students is a high priority for all school districts.  However, there are times when teachers must be absent for various reasons.  Mr. Rossics updated the Board on absence reporting procedures, district policies and procedures, and refinements that have been made in district practices over the last few years.  Additional details are available by clicking on the header of this paragraph.

Student Bus Transportation Vendors.  District administration is in the process of determining how to move forward with bus transportation as existing contracts are soon due to expire.  Dr. Buckner reviewed the current bus transportation vendor arrangement and the reasoning used in the 2013-14 school year to create this structure.  Dr. Buckner also shared information with the Board on how these companies propose to continue their relationships with the district.  The district will continue to negotiate and research options and will make recommendations to the Board for future contracts at the Feb. 27, 2017 meeting.

Substitute Services Vendor. Mr. Rossics updated the Board on the administration’s status in reviewing options for acquiring substitutes when teachers are absent from the classroom.  The district has migrated from having its own pool of substitute teachers to utilizing third party vendors to supplement the pool, as an increasing number of substitutes prefer to make themselves available to multiple school districts simultaneously instead of being available only to individual schools.  In order to increase the district’s ability to find substitute teachers even further, a Request for Qualifications for Substitute Services was released by the district on Dec. 21, 2016.  Based on overall cost structure, the ability to fill positions, and quality, a recommendation will be brought to the Board on Feb. 27, 2017.  

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business/Work Session on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.  The following meeting will be a Business Meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.  Tentative agenda items include the following.   

Tentative Agenda Items for Business/Work Session Feb. 14, 2017:

ACTION
  • High School Building Projects Approval
INFORMATION
  • Principals Share Improvements
  • 2017 Summer Programs
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting Feb. 27, 2017:

ACTION
  • Student Bus Transportation Vendors
  • Substitute services Vendor
  • High School Building Project
    • Project Report #11
    • Payment Applications/Work Package/Change Orders
INFORMATION

  • Auditor Contract
  • Facilities Services Update
  • C&I Instruction Updates
  • High School Program Report
  • Administrative Salary Structure
  • Policy Review