This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the July 26, 2021 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 July 26 Board Meeting
Board President Remarks
I want to recognize Executive Assistant to the Superintendent Cassie Johnston on her last day with the district. Her enthusiasm, hard work, and positive energy have done so much for our district. We’re going to miss you but are happy for you and your new opportunity.
Superintendent Remarks
We are currently preparing for the strategic planning process. This is an opportunity for parents to have a voice and get involved in the district. This process will help set the direction over the next five years for the district. There will be multiple opportunities for parents and patrons to share their opinions on our strengths and opportunities for growth. More information will be available soon.
The St. Louis County superintendents held a call with Governor Parson last week in which he stressed the importance of residents getting vaccinated and requested our help in spreading the word. He also offered help in setting up vaccination clinics, something we’ve actually offered several times already thanks to the leadership of Dr. Derrick Wallace and Ann Body.
This week we will conduct meetings with our administrators to discuss our back-to-school plans for the fall. We are all excited to welcome our students back on August 23; we will operate a normal schedule of five school days per week. Many schools plan to hold back-to-school events, though they might look a little different due to COVID precautions. We plan to share specifics of our back-to-school plans in early August. Our plans will include mitigating measures based on the guidance of the St. Louis County Department of Public Health and our Medical Task Force, which we met with last week. Parents can plan and prepare for normal schedules.
New Teacher Orientation begins August 9
Prop L Update: construction projects are well underway and I am pleased to report that the district’s work with our construction partners is going as smoothly as possible. We are making steady progress on our construction efforts and upcoming plans.
Congratulations to Marissa Rosen, Jennifer Growe Soshnik, and Kisha Lee for their continued work on additional training and certification as board members.
Thank you to Cassie Johnston for her service to our district and the job she has done during her time with us. I’d like to announce that Fern Wagstaff from Curriculum and Instruction has accepted the role vacated by Cassie.
ACTION ITEMS
Energy Services Company Recommendation
Director of Facilities Mike Noonan presented, and the Board approved, a recommendation to award infrastructure work at Conway and Reed (key areas include windows, LED lighting retrofits, and mechanical upgrades) to Performance Services Inc.
SM Wilson Presentation/Pay Application
The district’s construction manager SM Wilson provided an update on the status of all Prop L construction projects. The firm requested, and the Board approved, the June 2021 monthly payment application related to the projects.
INFORMATION ITEMS
2021-22 Board Meeting Dates (MOVED TO ACTION)
The Board approved the revised schedule of Board Meeting dates for 2021-22.
Revised 2021-22 Academic Calendar (MOVED TO ACTION)
The Board approved adding June 19 (Juneteenth) to the academic calendar as a paid holiday; this change will impact all 12-month and some 11-month employees.
First Semester Board Meeting Agenda Calendar
The Board discussed a draft of the 2021 Board Agenda Calendar.
Dr. Wipke and Cabinet members introduced Board policy updates and revisions.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a regular Business Meeting on Monday, August 16, 2021. The meeting will be live-streamed 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 AUGUST 16
ACTION
Policy Updates
INFORMATION
Curriculum Revisions
Climate/Culture Survey
