Board Briefs from August 24, 2020 Board Business Meeting

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the Aug. 24, 2020 Board 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 President Carolyn Jaeger commented on the Opening Session video and how much she enjoyed seeing the smiling students, teachers and staff and how much she misses everyone and is looking forward to getting everyone back into our buildings when it is safe.

Superintendent Remarks

• Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke shared a recap of the first day of school activities. He visited all elementary schools and observed a few virtual classrooms while learning was taking place. The teachers did an amazing job and students were excited to be in school even in the online classroom. There were a few internal technology glitches that were resolved and Zoom’s nationwide outage was restored; overall, the first day was a pretty good first start.

ACTION ITEMS

Board Policy Updates Dr. Wipke and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Julie Helm discussed updates to policy GCBA and the Board Advisory Committee Patron Selection Guidelines. The Board voted and approved the recommended revision.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Change Sept. 28 Board Meeting Date to Sept. 29

The Board voted and approved the change of meeting date from Sept. 28 to Sept. 29 due to a religious observance.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education meeting will be a regular Business Meeting on Sept. 14, 2020. The meeting will be held virtually using Zoom and the Meeting ID will be posted on the Featured tab of BoardDocs when the meeting information is officially posted.

TENTATIVE AGENDA ITEMS FOR SEPT. 14

• District Finance and Tax Rate Discussion

• Board Policy Updates (2020A)

Board Briefs from August 17, 2020 Special Board Meeting

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the August 17, 2020 Special Board 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.

Click here for a video recording of the August 17, 2020 Board Business Meeting

INFORMATION ITEMS

Update on Learning Centers and Orientations Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke provided information on the district’s Learning Centers in relation to the Return to Learn Plan and orientations for the 2020-21 school year.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education meeting will be a regular Business Meeting on August 24, 2020. The meeting will be held virtually using Zoom and the Meeting ID will be posted on the Featured tab of BoardDocs when the meeting information is officially posted.

Board Briefs from August 10, 2020 Special Board Meeting

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the August 10, 2020 Special Board 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.

Click here for a video recording of the August 10, 2020 Board Business Meeting

INFORMATION ITEMS

2020-21 District Reentry Plans Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke recommended, and the Board approved, all schools beginning the 2020-21 school year virtually through at least the first quarter of the school year. This supersedes the board’s decision from the Aug. 3 special meeting. 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education meeting will be a special Business Meeting on August 17, 2020. The meeting will be held virtually using Zoom and the Meeting ID will be posted on the Featured tab of BoardDocs when the meeting information is officially posted.

Board Briefs from August 3, 2020 Special Board Meeting

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the August 3, 2020 Special Board 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.

Click here for a video recording of the August 3, 2020 Board Business Meeting

INFORMATION ITEMS

2020-21 District Reentry Plans Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke recommended, and the Board approved, a school reentry plan for the 2020-21 school year. Students in grades K through 4 will return to school buildings and participate in an alternating a.m./p.m. schedule, a modified version of Option 1, Tier 2 outlined in the Return to Learn Plan. Students in grades 5 through 12 will participate in all virtual learning, or Option 1, Tier 3. Ladue Early Childhood Center students will return to school under Option 1, Tier 2 guidelines.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education meeting will be a special Business Meeting on August 10, 2020. The meeting will be held virtually using Zoom and the Meeting ID will be posted on the Featured tab of BoardDocs when the meeting information is officially posted.

Board Briefs from July 27, 2020 Business Meeting

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the July 27, 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.

Click here for a video recording of the July 27, 2020 Board Business Meeting

Board President's Remarks

• This might be one of the largest meetings we’ve ever had and we’re excited to see so many people join us. It’s a great example of our community’s dedication to students.

• Out of all my conversations with the community about the reentry process, there is always an expectation that we must take care of all members of our community, and I hope tonight you’ll see evidence of that effort.

• Many of us are stressed, frustrated, scared and perhaps struggling during the pandemic and there’s no doubt this is uncharted territory, but it is a time to come together.

• We are in a great place here at Ladue Schools and the administration has been working around the clock to support staff and families as we navigate this crisis. Thank you to all of our administration for the work that has been done.

• We may feel uneasy because we can’t control things, but as a community we can make this happen and hopefully we can feel good about this when we come out on the other side of it.

• Thank you to everyone for your feedback, thoughts and ideas throughout this process.

Superintendent Remarks

• Graduation will be held Aug. 2 and the high school has had its plans approved by the county.

• Thank you to our patrons for their patience, kindness and grace, along with their questions and comments. That input helps prepare us to keep moving toward school reentry.

ACTION ITEMS

Approval of 2020-21 Tuition Rate Per Policy JECA - Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner presented, and the Board approved, a recommendation for an annualized tuition rate of $17,442 for the 2020-21 school year. The 2020-21 rate was calculated by using the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Suggested Worksheet for Determination of Basic Tuition Charge. Please note the tuition rate includes debt service. The rate is $812.93 (rounded to the nearest dollar) more than last year.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Return to Learn 2020-21 - Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke led a discussion on the district’s Return to Learn 2020-21 plan. District lead nurse Ann Body provided an update on COVID-19 trends in St. Louis County. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Amy Zielinski detailed the difference between the two options and explained how the district will move between tiers when necessary.

Board Policy Updates - Dr. Wipke and Board President Carolyn Jaeger discussed updates to policy GCBA and the Board Advisory Committee Patron Selection Guidelines.

Special Board Meetings - President Jaeger discussed plans for special Board meetings throughout the month of August to keep our parents and community aware of any updates. We will update the calendar accordingly. 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education meeting will be a special business meeting on August 3, 2020. The meeting will be held virtually using Zoom and the Meeting ID will be posted on the Featured tab of BoardDocs when the meeting information is officially posted.

Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting August 3, 2020:

ACTION

• Return to Learn 2020-21 Plan approval

• Special Board Meetings for August