This document includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the March 11, 2019 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
Ginny Moore - Teacher/PAT Teacher
Ladue Early Childhood Center
State District of Character Designation
Ladue School District
State School of Character Designations
Ladue Early Childhood Center
Ladue Middle School
Board President's Remarks
- Board President Andy Bresler reminded the audience that there are three candidates running for two open positions on the Board of Education. The election will be held on April 2, 2019, and voters can vote for up to two of the three candidates. In filing and ballot order, the candidates are: Sheldon Johnson, Jeff Kopolow and Leslie Tolliver. Additional information can be found here.
Superintendent Remarks
- Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke commented on the large number of awards and recognitions being received in the last few weeks by students, staff, schools and the district as a whole. She encouraged the audience to take the opportunity to regularly check Spotlight on Ladue to stay up to date on these causes for celebration around the district.
- Specifically, Dr. Jahnke shared the Ladue Middle School Science Bowl A-Team took first place in the Missouri Regional Science Bowl. Amazingly, the LMS B-Team finished right behind them in second place, edging out competition from all other schools. The Science Bowl A-Team will travel (all expenses paid) to the national finals in Washington D.C. in late April. In addition, the Ladue Horton Watkins High School Science Bowl Team also took first place, so the Ladue School District will represent the state of Missouri at both levels!
- In addition, Dr. Jahnke announced that the Boys Varsity Basketball team won state quarterfinals this past weekend and will proceed to the state’s final four on Friday, March 15, when they will take on St. Mary’s High School at noon at the JQH Arena on the Missouri State University campus.
ACTION ITEMS
Meet and Confer Report and Recommendations. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner and LHWHS Teacher Mike Hill presented, and the Board approved, the 2019 Meet and Confer Report. Each year, the district and the Ladue Educators’ Association (LEA) discuss salary, benefits and working conditions between teachers and the district. Click on the header of this paragraph for more details about the results of these discussions.
Summer Construction Projects Update. Dr. Buckner presented, and the Board approved, a contract addendum in the amount of $6,268,123 with Ameresco, Inc. for renovations to be completed at the Fifth Grade Center during the summer of 2019. Improvements will be made to safety and security features, as well as building infrastructure, including fire suppression, air conditioning and accessibility for persons with disabilities.
School Bus Contracts. Dr. Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendations to extend the contracts for two companies that participate in the district’s transportation program. Missouri Central’s contract will be extended for two additional years as the operator (drivers) and TransPar’s contract will be extended for one more year to conduct daily management and coordination.
Naming Rights. Dr. Jahnke recommended, and the Board approved, the naming of the Art Walk at Reed Elementary School in honor of Linda Packard, a former art teacher who served the district for 38 years and was instrumental in designing the Art Walk and many other areas of Reed Elementary School.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Board Advisory Committee Reappointments. The Board of Education has four advisory committees comprised of administrators, teachers, parents and other district patrons to advise them regarding specific topics related to Finance, Curriculum & Instruction, Facilities Planning and Technology. Once appointed, members serve for two-year terms and can serve for two terms. This year, Johanna Schillinger will be recommended to serve a second term on the Board Finance Advisory Committee.
There are no positions open this year on the Curriculum & Instruction Board Advisory Committee. There are three positions each open on the Facilities, Finance, and Technology Committees. Click here for information about these committees and how to apply. The application deadline is April 5, 2019.
Board Policy Updates. Administration presented 20 policy changes which will be recommended for approval at the next Board of Education meeting on April 9, 2019. The majority of these changes 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 to accurately reflect current district practices in policy.
Board Goals Review. Mr. Bresler reviewed the Board of Education’s 2018-19 Board Goals, noting that progress has been made on each one and that the Board is on track to meet all goals by the end of the school year.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on April 9, 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 April 9, 2019:
ACTION
- Board Advisory Committee Reappointments
- Board Policy Updates
INFORMATION
- Career Technical Education Program Update
- Support Staff Employee Council Report and Salary Recommendations
- Secondary Schedules
