This document includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the April 9, 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.
Board President's Remarks
- Board President Andy Bresler expressed his appreciation to the rest of the Board for allowing him to serve as Board President for the last two years.
Superintendent Remarks
- Ladue Horton Watkins High School (LHWHS) has more state championships under their belt with the Math League winning first place amongst 26 high schools and earning 174 out of 178 points – the highest score in ten years. Dr. Donna Jahnke thanked Math Teacher John Pais for leading the team to victory.
- In addition, the LHWHS Chess Team, coached by Math Teacher Garrett White won their state championship. Individual player state champions from the Ladue School District include:
- Iris Zhou (LHWHS - Board 1 Co-champion, won tiebreaker)
- Erik Tkachenko (LHWHS - Board 1 Co-champion )
- Samuel Chen (LHWHS - Board 3)
- Luke Ye (FGC - Eighth Grade and Under Category)
- Celina Zhou (FGC - Fifth Grade and Under Category - Co-champion)
- Jenna Song (FGC - Fifth Grade and Under Category - Co-champion)
- Ayden Huang (Conway Elementary School - Third Grade and Under)
- Seniors Max Kornfeld and Hale Masaki earned the Degree of Premier Distinction in the National Speech and Debate Association. It is the highest honor a student member of the National Speech and Debate Association can earn and is reached by fewer than 1% of the students in the association.
- Dr. Jahnke also congratulated and thanked Mr. Bresler for serving as Board of Education president for the last two years.
ACTION ITEMS
Administration of Oaths of Office. Incumbents Sheldon Johnson and Jeff Kopolow were reelected on April 2, 2019, and were administered the oaths of office. Mr. Johnson is serving his second term and Jeff Kopolow is serving his fourth. Board of Education members serve for three years with no term limits.
- President - Carolyn Jaeger
- Vice President - Sheri Glantz
- Secretary - Kisha Lee
- Treasurer - Sheldon Johnson
Board Advisory Committee Re-Appointments. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner recommended, and the Board approved, Johanna Schillinger’s reappointment to the
Finance Board Advisory Committee.
Board Policy. Dr. Jahnke recommended, and Board approved, changes to 20 Board policies. 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.
2019-20 and 2020-21 School Calendars. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Amy Zielinski recommended, and the Board approved, adjustments to the 2019-20 and 2020-21 calendars. These changes were necessary to align staff contract days with these calendars. Click on the header of this paragraph to review the specific changes, as well as the revised calendars.
INFORMATION ITEMS
High School Schedule. Dr. Jahnke introduced LHWHS Principal Brad Griffith who presented information about changes to the high school schedule to be implemented in the 2019-20 school year. These are being implemented with a continued focus on providing a holistic learning experience for all students.
Schedule changes first implemented in the 2015-16 school year were reviewed, along with data illustrating positive improvements since that time. These include a reduction in the total number of D’s and F’s during the first semester and a reduction in out-of-school and in-school suspensions. (Click on the header to this section for the full presentation and additional data.)
Students, teachers and administrators have continued to discuss potential additional improvements to the schedule and have concluded that the current three-day rotation of classes (Blue/White/Ram) was confusing and challenging for students and teachers to manage. As a result, the following change will be implemented in the 2019-20 school year.
Five Day Weeks: Blue/White/Ram/Blue/White
Four Day Weeks: Blue/White/Blue/White
In addition, a Seminar Committee, including students, teachers and administrators are reviewing the use of Seminar to ensure this time continues to be used to the best advantage of students. The group is focusing on ensuring this 90-minute block of time (which occurs on each Blue day) is used for academic support, managing student logistics, and community building.
Nielson Gym Bleacher Replacement. Dr. Buckner outlined the administration’s recommendation to replace the bleachers in the main gym of LHWHS. (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.) Seating capacity will remain approximately as it is now at 1,800. The project will be funded through district operating capital funds. The Board will vote on this recommendation at their next meeting on April 22, 2019.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on April 22, 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 22, 2019:
ACTION
- Acceptance of Certified Election Results
- Designation of Delegates and Alternates for MSBA, SSD Governing Council, EdPlus Legislative Liaison
- Nielson Gym Bleacher Replacement
- High School Summer Projects Construction Contract
INFORMATION
- Support Staff Salary Recommendations
- Strategic Plan Review
- Recommended Patron Appointments to Board Advisory Committees
- 2019-20 Board Meeting Dates
- Extra Duty Stipend Amounts
