This document includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the Feb. 11, 2020 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 Remarks
- Board of Education President Carolyn Jaeger shared that the Board and senior district administrators recently participated in Trauma Informed Schools Training which was provided by Emily Luft from Alive and Well. This training focuses on the ways in which trauma shapes behavior and how these behaviors are best responded to in the classroom setting.
- President Jaeger, along with fellow Board Members Andy Bresler and Kisha Lee, recently joined Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke in attending a Legislative Forum in Jefferson City to learn about bills being brought forth in the Missouri legislature this year.
Superintendent’s Remarks
- Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke announced that February 9-15 is School Board Recognition Week. He thanked the Board for their generous volunteer service on behalf of Ladue Schools students, provided them with certificates of appreciation and read a proclamation from Missouri Governor Mike Parson.
- Dr. Wipke shared that a number of assemblies and activities are taking place throughout the district in recognition of Black History Month. Technology Specialist at Old Bonhomme, Patricia Brown, also created a Black History Month challenge for staff, students, parents and others to join in order to learn more about the significant contributions made by Black people throughout history.
- Dr. Wipke thanked Board Vice President Sheri Glantz for attending Old Bonhomme Elementary School’s passport night at which 21 countries were represented.
- The high school’s female a capella group, Viva Voce, came to sing for the staff at the Administrative Center in order to practice for the International Championship of High School A Capella at Washington University at which they achieved fourth place overall. He congratulated and thanked Leah Alrutz, music teacher at Ladue Middle School, for her work with the group. He assured the Board he is working on a date for Viva Voce to perform at a future Board of Education meeting.
- The CURE Committee will hold its third meeting of the year on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. in the high school library classroom.
- Negotiations are continuing with the construction management company and architects selected to assist the district in refining designs and estimated construction costs for potential improvements to Old Bonhomme Elementary School, Spoede Elementary School and Ladue Middle School.
- Dr. Wipke met with Harris Stowe University regarding a possible partnership to identify ways the district and the university can work together on a variety of projects.
- Friday, Feb. 14 will be a professional development day with teachers focusing on first best instruction.
- The district held its third Fearless Focus event of the year last week. One more is scheduled for April.
ACTION
Policy FF - Facility Names. Communications Director Susan Downing presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation to modify Policy FF - Facility Names to reflect current procedures, as well as to reiterate key concepts outlined in the more detailed procedures associated with this policy. With this approval, the administration will now make changes in FF-AP to broaden it to be inclusive of items beyond those associated with the Ladue Horton Watkins High School renovation project.
INFORMATION ITEM
Apple Lease Agreement. Student technology is on a four-year replacement cycle. The current cycle ends this year for grades K-8. A lease-purchase agreement with Apple, Inc. will allow Ladue School District to extend the Limitless Learning initiative (1:1 computer/student ratio) to all grade levels without the need to increase the equipment budget for technology. This lease includes 3,000 seventh generation iPads along with a ruggedized keyboard case for each unit. The lease payment schedule includes 0% financing and a $1 buyout at the end of the lease.
2019C Policy Update. Dr. Wipke introduced the first reading of recommendations for changing a number of district policies. These policies and the recommended changes can be viewed by clicking on the header of this paragraph. The majority of the changes are the result of recommendations by the Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) in order to keep district policies in compliance with state and federal law. Prior to being brought to the full Board, these policies have been reviewed and discussed by the Policy Committee which includes both administrators and Board of Education members.
Tentative Agenda Items for Feb. 24, 2020 Board Meeting.
Action
- Apple Lease Agreement
- 2019C Policy Updates
- Policy FF - Facility Names
Information
- District Safety and Security Update
- 2020-21 Budget/Finance Update
