This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the Oct. 22, 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 Award
Kathleen Mercury
Gifted Teacher, Ladue Middle School
National Merit Semifinalists
Rebecca Cunningham, Robert "Trey" Fruend, Riley Gage, Akshay Govindan,
Nevan Giuliani, Samuel Hiken, Felix Hu, Andrew Hunt, Peter Jakiela, Kevin Jiang,
Egret Jin, Alexander Kanyok, Akhil Kondepudi, Max Kornfeld, Kevin Li,
Donovon Moore, Nikol Nikolova, Lauren Ross, Moses Schindler, David Steiner,
Nicholas Whitaker, Zachary Wild, Charles Yeldham, Jacqueline Zeng
Superintendent Remarks
- Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke announced that Assistant Superintendent Dr. Amy Zielinski would not be at the meeting, as she is attending the recognition ceremony for Regional Teacher of the Year which is being awarded to the Ladue School District Teacher of the Year, Jen Riesenmy. Dr. Jahnke also mentioned that Jen will be receiving the Emerson Teacher of the Year Award at the Dec. 10, 2018 Board of Education Meeting, commenting that Jen is a wonderful representative of our staff.
- This week is Parent-Teacher Conference week. Dr. Jahnke thanked staff members for supporting the collaboration between teachers, students and parents so students can achieve at their highest potential.
- Dr. Jahnke congratulated the high school varsity football team and Head Football Coach Mike Tarpey on an undefeated regular season. The team will be proceeding to the playoffs beginning this Friday night (Oct. 26), taking on the Windsor Owls at Webster Groves High School’s Moss Field at 7 p.m. (630 S. Elm, Webster Groves, 63119). Dr. Jahnke encouraged the community to come out and support the team.
ACTION ITEM
High School Building Project: Project Report, Payment Applications. The Board approved change order requests, as well as payment applications in the amount of $358,912.38. Project Director for S. M. Wilson, Kort Cole, presented a report on the status of project completion, noting that all of the major construction activities have been completed and work on items included on the punch list are underway.
The punch list has lingered a little longer than expected but should be complete by the end of October with a few scheduled items to be accomplished in November.
Financially, the project is at a projected net savings of $3,901,906 from just over $4 million reported in last month’s report. Contributing to this decline were unforeseen conditions, more than expected premium times, and additional activities not captured by the design in specific areas. The construction closeout is underway and will continue through November and early December.
(Details can be found by clicking on the header above.)
INFORMATION ITEMS
Facilities Use Information. Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Dr. Jason Buckner introduced Activities Director Nick Gianino who provided an overview of proposed changes to the District’s Facility Use Procedures. Proposed changes are focused on clarifying various components of current procedures, including potential conflict of interest of staff, user group definitions, facilities available for rental, fees associated for their use, changes in the amount of liability insurance required of user groups and the philosophy behind the use of revenue gained through facility rental.
2019-20 BASK/TAS Rates. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented the 2019-20 tuition rate recommendations for the district’s before and after school care programs (BASK/TAS). BASK/TAS (K-8) rates are recommended to be increased by 2% (which will bring the rates in line with comparable districts’ rates). The Board will vote on administrative recommendations for rate changes at the Nov. 26, 2018 Board of Education meeting.
(Currently, the district alternates years for rate changes for preschool programs and BASK/TAS.)
Enrollment and Residency Report. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented the annual Enrollment and Residency Report. As of this year’s official state Count Day, the district had a total enrollment of 4,235 students, an increase of about 27 resident students from the year before but only an overall increase of 8 students. Projections now suggest a rather flat resident enrollment.
Superintendent Search Update. Mr. Bresler presented an update on the superintendent search, noting that the Board has begun the interview process, is in the process of narrowing the field of candidates and anticipates a final decision and announcement no later than the Dec. 10, 2018 Board of Education meeting.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Work Session on Nov. 12, 2018. The following meeting will be a Business Meeting at 6 p.m. on Nov. 26, 2018. Both meetings will be held at the Ladue Horton Watkins High School Multipurpose Room, 1201 Warson Road, at 6 p.m. Tentative agenda items are noted below.
Tentative Agenda Items for Work Session Nov. 13, 2018:
INFORMATION
- Ladue Education Foundation Report
- 2019-20 High School and Middle School Course Change Proposals
- Staff Attendance Report
- Board Goals Review
- Board Policies Update
- Safety and Security Coordinator Proposal
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting Nov. 26, 2018:
ACTION
- Acceptance of Auditor’s Report
- 2019-20 BASK/TAS Rates
- Board Policies Updates
- High School and Middle School Course Change Proposals
- High School Building Project
- Project Report #30 (tentative)
- Contractor Payment Requests
INFORMATION
- 2018-19 Revised Budget
- Student Performance Data Report
- Social Emotional Behavior Report and Update
- Superintendent Search Update
