This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the Nov. 12, 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.
Board President's Remarks
- Board President Andy Bresler updated the administration on discussions the Board has been having regarding the verbiage used on commemorative plaques placed in school buildings upon completion of major facilities projects. The Board directed that commemorative plaques for building construction and renovation should list all members of the Board of Education, superintendents and appropriate building principals who served at any point from the passage of a taxpayer request (if there is no taxpayer request, the official decision to move forward with a project), through official project completion.
Superintendent Remarks
- Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke shared her appreciation for the men and women who have served in the country’s military, noting there are both employees and graduates of the district who are veterans. She mentioned several of the activities and events that took place in schools that day to commemorate Veterans Day, and she thanked Board members for attending as many of those as they were able.
INFORMATION ITEMS
2019-20 High School and Middle School Course Proposals. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Amy Zielinski introduced Ladue Horton Watkins High School Principal Brad Griffith and Ladue Middle School Principal Dr. Tiffany Taylor-Johnson who shared their recommendations for course changes in the 2019-20 school year. Course changes for both schools reflect the district’s intentional increased emphasis on providing innovative, real-world, hands-on learning opportunities for students. To see the specific changes recommended, click on the header to this paragraph.
Ladue Education Foundation Report. Dr. Jahnke introduced Ladue Education Foundation (LEF) and Alumni Association President Julie Schuster and Executive Director Kristen Wild, who updated the Board on the status and goals of the foundation and alumni association, noting that the organization continues to grow from both fundraising and community development perspectives. During the 2017-18 school year, the foundation received $1.9 million in donations from 733 people. Click on the header of this paragraph for additional details.
Safety and Security Coordinator Position and Policy. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented the administration’s recommendation to hire a safety and security coordinator for the district after investigating ways in which to be more proactive in providing increased safety and security across all buildings. The person hired will be a district employee with an office at Ladue Middle School and will also support other district facilities — particularly those located outside of the City of Ladue. (The district currently partners with the City of Ladue for an active duty police officer whose office is at Ladue Horton Watkins High School.) Click on the header to this paragraph for the job description and additional information.
Board Policy Updates. Dr. Jahnke presented recommendations for changes to 16 district policies, part of the district’s ongoing efforts to maintain policies which accurately represent district expectations, incorporate current legislative requirements, and take into account recommendations by the Missouri School Board Association (MSBA). Additional details can be found by clicking on the header of this paragraph. These recommended changes will be presented for Board approval at the Dec. 10, 2018 Business Meeting.
Board Goals Review. Mr. Bresler provided an outline of the formal Board of Education’s objectives for the 2018-19 school year school year. Areas for concentration include:
- Ongoing training (specifically diversity training)
- Hiring and transitioning the district’s next superintendent
- Monitoring the district’s finances and making progress in meeting financial objectives
- Finalizing the revisions of the district’s long-range Facilities Master Plan
- Developing a districtwide recruitment plan that evaluates the needs of all vacant positions and includes strategies for hiring diverse candidates.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on Nov. 26, 2018, at the Ladue Horton Watkins High School Multipurpose Room, 1201 S. Warson Road, at 6 p.m. Tentative agenda items include the following.
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
