This document includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the April 22, 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
Nathan Bursac
Conway Elementary School
Board President's Remarks
- Board President Carolyn Jaeger congratulated Nathan Bursac on receiving the Excellence in Education Award, noting that as the Board of Education’s liaison to Conway Elementary she had attended the open house at which Mr. Bursac had featured an underwater themed black light display which included artwork created by every student in the school. She said it was “the buzz” in the hallways and truly spectacular.
Superintendent Remarks
- Dr. Donna Jahnke also congratulated Mr. Bursac on his award, noting that his work truly supported the district’s goal of nurturing every facet of student growth and experience.
- Dr. Jahnke encouraged Board members and those in attendance to enjoy this season of celebrations. Just the events for this week include: the Seal of Biliteracy Ceremony (4/23), the district’s Retirement Celebration (4/24) and the Ladue Middle School Diversity Cadre African-American Recognition Night (4/25).
ACTION ITEMS
Designation of Board Delegates/Alternates for Affiliated Organizations. The Board selected the members who will represent them in the various organizations with which the district is affiliated.
Missouri School Board Association: Kisha Lee, Carolyn Jaeger (alternate)
Special School District Governing Council: Kisha Lee, Sheri Glantz (alternate)
EdPlus Legislative Liaison: Jeff Kopolow, Nancy Goldstein (alternate)
High School Summer Projects. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jason Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation to award a contract addendum to Ameresco in the amount of $1,339,330 to complete renovations of the Nielson Gym area of Ladue Horton Watkins High School (LHWHS). This project includes improvements to health classrooms, restrooms, the training room, the concession area (indoor and outdoor), adjacent hallways and the lobby.
Dr. Buckner confirmed the district will be unable to host a sporting event under the new stadium lights this spring, as construction has fallen significantly behind schedule due to weather.
Nielson Gym Bleacher Replacement. Dr. Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation to hire Carrol Seating and Hussy Manufacturing to replace the bleachers in the main gym of LHWHS at a cost of $251,312. The upper bleachers are 45-years-old, the lower bleachers are 22-years-old, they do not have safety rails and parts are difficult or impossible to obtain. The project will be funded through district operating capital funds.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Support Staff Salary Recommendations. Dr. Jahnke presented the administration’s recommendation for support staff salary adjustments for the 2019-20 school year. As has been the case in recent years, ranges are determined for each position using comparison data fro school districts in the area. Increase amounts are based on where an employee falls within the range, such that employees below the midpoint experience an acceleration towards the midpoint while increases for those above the midpoint are tempered. The Board will vote on these recommendations at a Special Board Meeting on May 1, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. at the Administrative Center, 97036 Conway Road, St. Louis, MO 63124.
Strategic Plan Review. Dr. Jahnke provided the Board with an update on the district’s progress in addressing the Priority Initiatives of its Strategic Plan. Details can be found by clicking on the header of this paragraph.
Recommended Patron Appointments to Board Advisory Committees. Community patrons can apply to serve on one of four Board Advisory Committees which provide input to the Board and administration on specific issues and topics. This year, the following patron appointments were recommended for approval. The Board will vote on these appointments at their next Business Meeting on May 13, 2019.
Finance Board Advisory Committee: Dr. Buckner recommended the appointments of Kortney Christensen, Katherine Fezzi and Thomas Piazarkowitz. He also recommended the reappointment of Mark Murdaugh.
Technology Board Advisory Committee: Director of Technology Rob Highfill recommended the appointments of Anne Roberts, Ron Cytron, Maxwell Hu and John Murphy.
Facilities Planning Board Advisory Committee: Director of Facilities Mike Noonan recommended the appointments of Tim Spiegelglass, Ann Von Allmen and Merri Cross.
(There were no patron openings on Curriculum & Instruction Board Advisory Committee this year.)
2019-20 Board Meeting Dates. Dr. Jahnke outlined the Board of Education meeting schedule for the 2019-20 school year. Generally speaking, the Board meets for work sessions on the second Tuesday of the month and conducts business meetings on the fourth Monday of the month. All meetings are anticipated to begin at 6 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the high school. Meeting times and locations are subject to change and the most current schedule can be found here.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Special Board Meeting on May 1, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. at the Administrative Center, 97036 Conway Road, St. Louis, MO 63124 for the purpose of approving Support Staff Salary Recommendations. The next meeting will be a Business Meeting on May 13, 2019, at the Ladue Horton Watkins High School Multipurpose Room, 1201 S. Warson Road, at 6 p.m. Tentative agenda items for that meeting include the following.
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting May 13, 2019:
ACTION
- Recommended Patron Appointment to Board Advisory Committees
- 2019-20 Board Meeting Dates
- 2019-20 Master Agreement
INFORMATION
- Professional Development Report and Plan
- 2019-20 Testing Schedule
- 2019-20 School Lunch Prices
- Extra Duty Stipend Amounts
- 2019-20 Preliminary Budget Introduction and Financial Planning
- Board Member Assignment to Board Advisory and Other Committees.
