This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the June 12, 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.
ACTION ITEM
Bond Parameters Resolution. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation to authorize the sale of the $2,850,000 or additional bonds from the April 2016 Proposition R election. Due to the premium generated from the original sale, the district did not issue the entire $85.1 million that was approved by taxpayers in the initial offering.
High School Building Project Expansion: Grandstand Bid Review and Identify Revenue Sources. Dr. Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation to award the construction contract for the Ladue Horton Watkins High School grandstand to S. M. Wilson. S. M. Wilson was the lowest qualified bidder and has considerable logistical experience with the site, having been the construction manager for the renovation project.
Prop R Safety & Security Updates: Building Surveillance Installation and Two-Way Radios. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation for purchasing new security cameras to replace and supplement the existing systems in all schools except the high school. (All high school cameras were replaced and supplemented as part of the high school renovation project.) These improvements fall into the “Other District Projects” component of the Prop R Bond Issue.
Dr. Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation for replacing the existing two-way analog radio communications system. The new system will allow for voice and visual communication across the district, whereas, the previous system provided only voice communication within a single building. This improvement also falls into the “Other District Projects” component of the Prop R Bond Issue.
Process for Hiring New Staff. Mr. Rossics presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation for hiring procedures during the summer of 2018 in order to fill positions for the 2018-19 school year, These procedures support the district’s Strategic Plan Priority Initiative: Create strategies and structures around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion > Staffing for diversity to reflect student population.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Review of 2018-19 Preliminary Budget. Dr. Buckner presented information on the 2018-19 preliminary budget which will be provided in its final form to the Board for approval on June 25, 2018. The preliminary budget for the 2018-19 school year totals approximately $62.2 million and keeps the district on track to meet the spending parameters set by the Board of Education. These spending parameters have been instituted to delay the need for requesting an increase in the operating tax levy for as long as possible, while meeting educational needs. At this time, projections indicate that an additional increase will not be needed until at least 2025.
Comprehensive School Improvement Plan. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Jennifer Allen presented an update on the district’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan. This plan is updated annually to outline progress being made in achieving the Priority Initiatives set forth in the district’s Strategic Plan.
Curriculum Update. Dr. Allen presented an update on the district’s plan for revising curriculum at all levels. The plan is set up to ensure that curriculums for all disciplines are evaluated, revised as needed, adopted and implemented on an ongoing rotating basis so that all disciplines are reviewed at least once every six years.
Performance Based Teacher Evaluation. Mr. Rossics presented the Certified Staff Evaluation Program Report. The district’s Evaluation Committee, which includes administrators and teachers, works each year to analyze, discuss and implement any needed changes in the methods and forms used for evaluating the district’s teachers. Details for the changes identified for the coming year can be found in the document linked to the header of this paragraph and included changes in forms and evaluation timelines.
2018-19 Extra Duty Stipend Amounts. Mr. Rossics presented the 2018-19 Stipend List, which documents the range in amounts paid to staff members for various additional responsibilities, such as coaching and sponsoring activities and clubs. This list is one of the items administration negotiates through the annual meet and confer process with the Ladue Educators’ Association. This list is continually reviewed and updated with the goal of remaining as competitive as possible with what is being paid for similar responsibilities in surrounding districts.
Board Policy Revisions. Dr. Jahnke presented three policy revisions which will be recommended to the Board for approval on June 25, 2018. The recommended changes can be seen by clicking on the header to this paragraph and 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/or to accurately reflect current district practices and policies.
2018-19 Facility Use Fee Schedule. Dr. Buckner presented recommended changes to the 2018-19 Facility Usage Procedure and Fee Schedule. The most significant change is the addition of the turf field at the West Campus as a venue that can be rented at administrative discretion. Details can be found by clicking on the header of this paragraph.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on June 25, 2018 at 6 p.m. at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road. Tentative agenda items include the following.
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting June 25, 2018:
ACTION
- Consolidated Application for Federal Grants
- 2018-2019 Extra Duty Stipend Amounts
- Final 2017-2018 Bus Routes
- Hearing and Approval of 2018-2019 Preliminary Budget
- 2018-2019 Board Goals/Work Plan
- Comprehensive School Improvement Plan
- Performance-Based Evaluation Program Changes/Certified Staff
- 2018-2019 Tuition Rate Per Policy JECA
- Revenue for High School Campus Expansion
- High School Building Project
- Project Report #26
- Payment Applications
INFORMATION
- SAS122 Internal Controls/Risk Assessment Document
