This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the Feb. 12, 2019 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.
School Board Recognition Week
Many thanks to our Board Members for their service
to the Ladue Schools community!
Andy Bresler, President
Carolyn Jaeger, Vice President
Jeff Kopolow, Secretary
Sheldon Johnson, Treasurer
Sheri Glantz, Director
Nancy Goldstein, Director
Kisha Lee, Director
Board President's Remarks
- Board President Andy Bresler shared that Board Members Carolyn Jaeger, Sheldon Johnson and Kisha Lee and he attended the Missouri School Board Association (MSBA) conference on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019 along with Dr. Jim Wipke, the district’s incoming superintendent. Mr. Bresler commented that the conference provided an outstanding opportunity to learn more about current issues and opportunities in education.
Superintendent Remarks
- Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke congratulated Patricia Brown for being the keynote speaker at the recent Midwest Education Technology Community (METC) conference. Ms. Brown is Old Bonhomme Elementary School’s Technology Specialist, as well as a well-known and well-respected edtech professional.
- Dr. Jahnke thanked the district’s Diversity Committee for planning the professional development day planned for Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. That morning, all district employees will gather to view a segment of America to Me, a documentary series that examines racial, economic and class issues in contemporary education. Small group discussions about the film will immediately follow. In the afternoon, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work will continue in individual buildings.
- In honor of School Board Recognition Week, Dr. Jahnke thanked Board of Education members for their service to the district, noting that their commitment extends well beyond preparing for and attending Board of Education meetings. Board members all serve on numerous committees and as liaisons to other educational organizations, in addition to remaining personally responsive to the constituents of the district.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Gifted Report. Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Amy Zielinski introduced Gifted Coordinator Brooke Bilby who presented a report on the progress and next steps of the K-12 Gifted Program. Specifically, Ms. Bilby outlined revisions in the screening process and enrichment services provided in early grades over the last three years that have resulted in doubling the number of students from underrepresented populations participating in gifted programming. Click on the header of this paragraph for more information.
2019-20 and 2020-21 School Calendars. Dr. Zielinski presented a proposed revision to the 2019-20 School Calendar to move Spring Break to the third week of March (March 16-20) as it has been scheduled traditionally and to coincide with the vast majority of area districts’ spring breaks. Dr. Zielinski also presented the administration’s recommendation for the 2020-21 School Calendar. The calendar is similar to previous years in terms of student contact days, teacher contact days and days incorporated for staff professional development.
Community Survey Results. Communications Director Susan Downing presented a report on the annual survey conducted in the fall of 2018. On a two-year rotating basis, either parents or staff and students are surveyed and results benchmarked against an initial survey conducted with all three groups in 2016 as part of the Strategic Plan development process. This year, staff and students were surveyed, with staff being surveyed by phone and students participating through moderated online surveys. Survey questions remain fairly consistent year to year in order to define trends and identify statistically significant shifts over time.
In addition, Ms. Downing presented data gathered through a recent Thoughtexchange. (An online tool designed to build consensus around specific issues, questions or concerns.) Parents, staff and high school students were asked, “What questions or concerns do you have regarding safety and security in our schools?” The purpose of these exchanges was to determine where the district and schools need to share additional information regarding safety and security measures, procedures and protocols with parents, students and staff. Click on the header of this paragraph for more information.
Capital Construction Projects. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner presented five capital projects included in the 2018-19 Capital Improvement budget that require Board approval. These items will be brought to the Feb. 25, 2019 meeting for Board approval.
- Roof Work at Ladue Middle School:
- Administration recommends awarding the work to the DE Martin Roofing for $149,378.
- Roof Work at the Maintenance Building and Old Bonhomme:
- Administration recommends awarding the work to Johner Sheet Metal and Roofing for $129,729.
- Asphalt Overlay at Conway and LMS:
- Administration recommends awarding the work to Ford Asphalt for $148,600.
- Asphalt Sealcoating at LMS, the FGC and the elementary schools:
- Administration recommends awarding the work E. Meir Asphalt Company for $113,471.
- Middle School Hard Surface Play Area Fence:
- Administration recommends awarding the work to Robinson Fence Company for $31,870.
- Districtwide Mowing/Landscape/Irrigation Service Contract:
- Five contractors are in process of submitting bids. A recommendation will be made at the Feb. 25, 2019 Board meeting.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on Feb. 25, 2019 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 Feb. 25, 2019:
ACTION
- 2020-2021 School Calendar
- Final High School Project Update
- Stadium Project Update
- Capital Construction Projects
INFORMATION
- C&I Instruction Updates: Student Performance Data
- Capital Construction Project
- Finance Update
