This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the November 9, 2020 regular Board of Education 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 to view a recording from the November 9 Board Meeting
Board President Remarks
I watched the high school’s virtual fall play called “Unmasked” - it was very creative and clever, while being very moving. I am always continually amazed at the students in our district and their variety of talents and skills. I want to thank our parents, sponsors, and teachers for giving those kids the support and direction needed to explore their talents.
Superintendent Remarks
The transition to in-person learning has been successful for pre-k through fifth grade for the most part, but it has not been perfect. We have had a few classrooms that have needed to quarantine due to exposure. Through contact tracing we’ve determined that transmission is not happening between the positive cases in our schools. We continue to work with County health officials on who needs to quarantine and how that needs to happen.
Thank you to Ann Body and all of our nurses who are doing an amazing job with this entire process.
It aligns with what we’ve been told by our Medical Task Force, that there may be times that we need to quarantine.
A few stats about our cases: we’ve had 5 positive student and/or staff cases in pre-k through fifth grade, and quarantined 72 people as a result, and that’s a product of our contact tracing.
Grades 6 thru 12, we haven’t had them back yet but we did do orientation with all Option 1 middle schoolers last week. They will be back in the building tomorrow for a full day of school.
Because grades 6 thru 12 haven’t been back yet, we haven’t had cases or quarantining in those groups, but in our learning centers we did have 2 positive cases in that age group between staff and students, and 13 people had to quarantine as a result.
Our middle school administration and staff have done a fantastic job of getting ready to welcome students back.
It’s only natural to watch the case numbers climb in the community and wonder what’s next for Ladue Schools. I continue to have meetings with county superintendents and medical experts to talk about what the state of our district should be. We will continue to work with and listen to the St. Louis County Department of Public Health. High school students are scheduled to return on Nov. 30 and we continue to assess that situation based on what is happening in our community.
Thank you to the community and our teachers for your support and hard work as we transition back to school, as it has been very successful to date.
I want to urge our community to continue to take appropriate health and safety measures to reduce the spread of the virus outside of school. Studies are showing that transmission is happening more outside of school, but that can still make it difficult for students and teachers when cases in the community begin to affect what is happening in schools and causing quarantines.
A few positive thoughts: be thankful for the struggles you go through because they make you stronger, wiser, and humble. Don’t let them break you, let them make you. These are the words we are trying to live by in Ladue Schools.
I’ve been able to visit our schools on a regular basis; it’s great to see our teachers and what they’re doing, and great to see our kids excited to be in class.
We’ve seen some fun things like costume parties where the kids dress up for their virtual class sessions; I thought this was great to see.
Congratulations to our boys’ cross country team for its 7th place finish in state.
Congratulations to our high school speech and debate team which placed first out of 28 teams at the Parkway West Virtual Classic.
Congratulations to Lynsey Porter who was named the Field Hockey Coach of the Year in our area.
The Virtual LEF Breakfast took place this past Saturday; thank you to the LEF for putting on this outstanding event.
At our next board meeting on Nov. 23, you should be getting some data connected to our bond referendum.
INFORMATION ITEMS
2021-22 High School Course Proposals
Ladue Horton Watkins High School Principal Brad Griffith presented proposed course changes for the 2021-22 school year.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Presentation
District Equity Coordinator Dr. Jennifer Riesenmy provided updates on the district’s DEI initiatives.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jason Buckner shared the latest information on the district’s finances.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a regular Business Meeting on Monday, Nov. 23, 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 NOV. 23
Action
2021-22 High School and Middle School Course Change Proposals
Information
2021-22 LECC Tuition and BASK/TAS Rates
Board Goals Review
Bond Survey Results - Discussion for Moving Forward
