This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the April 23, 2018 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
Heather Andrews
Fifth Grade Center Math & Science Teacher
Superintendent Remarks
- Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke announced that Dr. Amy Zielinski will be the new Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction as of July 1, 2018. She is replacing Dr. Jennifer Allen who will be retiring after serving the district in this role since 2015.
- This Wednesday evening we will be honoring 16 retirees, 2 Distinguished Service Award winners and our Teachers of the Year at the annual Employee Recognition Banquet.
Board President's Remarks
- Board President Andy Bresler shared that the Superintendent’s Finance Committee, the Superintendent’s Facilities Committee and administrators have been meeting in order to develop a series of comprehensive presentations to the Board in preparation for developing short- and long-term financial and facilities plans.
ACTION ITEM
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 (representative), Nancy Goldstein (alternate)
- Special School District Governing Council: Kisha Lee (representative), Nancy Goldstein (alternate)
- EdPlus Legislative Liaison: Jeff Kopolow (representative)
Support Staff Salary Recommendations. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented, and the Board approved, the Support Staff Employee Council (SSEC) Report, which outlines the salary and benefit considerations that have resulted from regular SSEC meetings since the beginning of the school year. Recommendations related to salaries and professional development information are included in the report.
High School Building Project: Project Report #24; Payment Applications. Project Director for S. M. Wilson Kort Cole presented Construction Progress Report #24, which includes the March pay application and updates on the work completed, the construction timeline and the project budget. Photos of various components of the project are included in the linked document.
ATG Sports, the company awarded the construction contract for the track and field project, has broken ground, and the demolition of the existing grandstands and field is underway.
At this time, anticipated savings identified on the project as originally defined are anticipated to be approximately $4 million, which is not inclusive of the construction contingency of $424,527 in the construction budget for unidentified or unforeseen expenses incurred during the remainder of the project.
Board Policy Changes. Mr. Rossics presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendations for changing GCBDA-AP(1) which is the Administrative Procedure pertaining to policy GCBDA - Pregnancy, Childbirth and Parental Leave. This change is aimed at creating greater equity for leave between parents who adopt and those who undergo pregnancy and childbirth.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Board Policy Changes. Dr. Allen and Director of Student Services Dr. Derrick Wallace presented the administration’s recommendations for three additional policy changes. These changes are being made at the recommendation of the Missouri School Board Association (MSBA) in order to keep district policies in compliance with state and federal law, and to accurately reflect current district practices in policy.
- IGBD - At Risk Students
- JHD - Student Guidance and Counseling
- JHDF - Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Professional Development Report and Plan. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Jennifer Allen introduced Drew Crismon, the chair of the District Professional Development Committee, who presented the committee’s annual report which detailed the professional development work for the past school year and plans for 2018-19.
Preliminary 2018-2019 Budget Discussion. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Jason Buckner outlined the initial steps taken by the administration to begin drafting the 2018-19 Preliminary Budget. The Board and administration will continue these discussions at workshops and meetings scheduled for the remainder of the spring and summer. The Board is required to approve a preliminary budget for the upcoming year by July 1 of each year.
Business Manager Barb Myers outlined significant changes the state is requiring public school districts implement in their accounting, budgeting and budget reporting processes beginning in the 2018-19 school year.
2018-2019 High School Course Change Proposal. Dr. Allen presented the administration’s recommendation for an additional course provided by the Special School District entitled Cooperative Work Experience (COOP), which is available for qualifying high school students with disabilities whose IEP indicates the need for work experience and who are also eligible as clients of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Recommended Patron Appointments to Board Advisory Committees. Mr. Bresler presented nine patron appointments to three district Board Advisory Committees:
- Amy Walker for the Finance Board Advisory Committee
- Andrew Cohen, Susie Sachs and Shaun Carr to the Facility Board Advisory Committee
- Lolita Flinn, Kevin Korenblat, Jessica Paik, Tango Walker, and Dr. Jennifer York to the Curriculum & Instruction Board Advisory Committee
2018-19 Board Meeting Dates. Dr. Jahnke outlined the anticipated schedule for Board meetings for the 2018-19 school year. Generally speaking, Work Sessions will take place on the second Tuesday of the month and Business Meetings will take place on the fourth Monday of the month. All meetings are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m and will continue to be held at the Administrative Center at 9703 Conway Road until the multi-purpose room at the high school is available for use.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on May 14, 2018 at 6 p.m. at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road. Tentative agenda items include the following.
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting May 14, 2018:
ACTION
- Board Policy Changes
- 2018-19 Professional Development Committee Goals
- High School Course Change Proposal
- Recommended Patron Appointments to Board Advisory Committees
- 2018-2019 Board Meeting Dates
- High School Building Project
- Project Report #25
- Payment Applications
INFORMATION
- 2018-19 Testing Schedule
- 2018-19 Extra Duty Stipend Amounts
- 2018-19 School Lunch Prices
- 2018-19 Budget and Financial Discussion
- Discussion of Hancock Amendment
- Board Member Assignment to Board Advisory and Other Committees
