Thursday, September 13, 2018

Board Briefs from Sept. 11, 2018 Work Session

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the Sept. 11, 2018 Work Session. 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.


Superintendent Remarks
  • Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke noted that on this Patriot Day, there were multiple commemorations around the district in memory of the people who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, and the district’s flags were flown at half staff in their honor.
ACTION

2018-2019 Board Goals. The Board discussed their goals for the 2018-19 school year. These goals are being developed to support the Board of Education’s mandated responsibilities for overseeing the superintendent, district policy and district finances. More specifically, these goals have been developed to support the district’s Strategic Plan, as well as other areas of concentration for the district.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Curriculum and Instruction - Curriculum Review. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Amy Zielinski presented an overview of the district’s vision, beliefs and philosophies regarding curriculum development and delivery. Dr. Zielinksi also outlined the primary instructional practice components used to ensure all students learn every day. Curriculum is revised in a five-year cycle, and an overview of the current status of each discipline was provided. Details can be found by clicking on the header of this paragraph.

Spending Parameters and Program Needs. Dr. Jahnke began this discussion by outlining several initiatives which, if pursued, could not be incorporated into future budgets without exceeding the district’s current 2% spending parameter. These initiatives include the hiring of teachers in greater number than are already incorporated in the budgeting process to follow existing class size policies, changes in school start/end times, and the addition of a second security officer for the district.

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner outlined the various projected property assessments which impact the district, noting the district is entitled to collect revenue from new construction and personal property increases in this non-reassessment year, and those assessments increased by $19,840,320. However, after protests and Board of Equalization cases during the past year, original assessments decreased by $9,064,340. These fluctuations are taken into account as tax rate ceilings are set by St. Louis County for the coming year. (Click on header to this paragraph for additional details.) At the Sept. 24 meeting, the Board will decide on the operating tax levy to be used in the upcoming year.   

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on Sept. 24, 2018 at 6 p.m. at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road. Tentative agenda items include the following.  

Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting Sept. 24, 2018:

  • Excellence in Education
  • STARS Awards for Excellence
  • American Heart Association

ACTION
  • Tax Rate and Debt Service Hearing and Approval
  • High School Building Project
    • Project Report #28
    • Contractor Payment Requests
  • Board Goals
INFORMATION

  • Transportation/2018-19 Bus Routes/Mileage
  • Facility Use Information
  • High School Administrative/Counseling/College-Career Report
  • Start Times
  • Finance Update
  • Hiring Plan for 2018-19
  • Superintendent Search Update