This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the November 22, 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 November 22 Board Meeting
Board President Remarks
We have two Board positions that will be up for election on the April 5, 2022 ballot. Candidate filing is a little bit different this year: it will begin Dec. 7 and run through Dec. 28, which is different as it normally would run into January in past years. You can file in-person (on business days) at the Admin Center from Dec. 7 through Dec. 21 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Schools will close on Dec. 22 and remain closed until Jan. 3. Because filing closes on Dec. 28, we will re-open the Admin Center on Dec. 28 from 3 to 5 p.m. for anybody who is unable to file before Dec. 22. It is recommended, but not required, that you contact Board Executive Secretary Fern Wagstaff (314-994-7080) so she can prepare your paperwork ahead of your filing. Serving on the Board of Education is quite a privilege and the current members take this responsibility very seriously. Do not hesitate to reach out if you need to speak to someone on the Board, Dr. Wipke, or Fern Wagstaff about making the decision to potentially serve on the Board.
Superintendent Remarks
I want to thank the Board for your constant support of our teachers, staff, and students. We are currently on Thanksgiving Break, and it’s a much needed break. We are going to gear things up quickly with the academic rigors that come along with finalizing second semester for our students, so the break is much needed. We are headed into the final three-week push toward the end of the year and the end of our first semester.
On Wednesday and Thursday of last week, I had the honor of chatting with our high school and middle school students who serve on two advisory groups. We had an amazing conversation in both meetings. We always check in with the students to see how the year is going and then dive into our agenda items. The main purpose of these groups is to give students a voice with me and our Board reps. Jeff Kopolow and Kisha Lee sit in on our high school meetings; Jeff and Jennifer Growe Soshnik are our middle school reps. The past two meetings we held were two of the most informative meetings we’ve had. I appreciate what the students had to say; they are open and honest and don’t hold anything back. They appreciate all that Ladue Schools has to offer them, but are quick to recognize that we are not a perfect district and offer their ideas, thoughts, and suggestions.
We celebrated American Education Week last week and I want to compliment our Communications Department for doing a fantastic job in making sure all of our staff feel appreciated. We appreciate every staff member for playing their individual roles in our district.
Congratulations to the LHWHS boys’ soccer team on a remarkable postseason run; they came up just short in the state championship game. Watching the community rally behind them and seeing the students cheer their friends on was really special. I got to know a lot of the students on the soccer team just by watching them and attending their games; they are a group of great kids with great families. During the title game on Saturday, I was very impressed with how many staff members were in attendance. It was a wonderful community event. I want to compliment Coach Dave Aronberg who was named Coach of the Year.
Our first One Book, One Community virtual event was held last week and it was great. We had more than 70 community members and staff tune in to learn from our five presenters. Feedback has been positive and it was a wonderful opportunity to gather together and learn. My compliments go out to everyone involved in the planning of the event.
Our Nov. 12 vaccination clinic for students ages 5 to 11 was also fantastic; it was the 15th clinic we’ve provided for our community. This one was a little different since we were dealing with our younger students. Some kids were nervous, along with some parents, but our nurses held their hands - sometimes literally - throughout the entire experience and made it a positive event. We had SEB team members on hand to offer support and two music teachers in attendance to sing and keep the kids enthusiastic. Building principals and other staff also were present to interact with families. We administered 425 vaccines and received compliments from many parents who were excited to have their children vaccinated.
ACTION ITEMS
SM Wilson Presentation/COR/Pay Application
SM Wilson provided an update on construction progress at Ladue Middle School, Old Bonhomme Elementary, and Spoede Elementary. The Board approved SM Wilson’s four change order requests and a pay application for October.
Design Build Finalist Recommendations
Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance Dr. Geoff Macy recommended three teams move forward to the Phase Two/Three portion of the design and construction process for the storm shelter/gym at both Conway and Reed Elementary. The Board approved the recommendation.
INFORMATION ITEMS
2022-23 LECC Tuition and BASK/TA Rates
Dr. Macy and LECC Director Stacy Carlock provided information about current LECC tuition as compared to nearby districts and exploring the possibility of a tuition increase for the 2022-23 school year.
Director of Facilities Mike Noonan and the Facilities Department requested permission from the Board to begin researching the cost for building a concession stand combined with restrooms at the Fifth Grade Center/West Campus.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a regular Business Meeting on Monday, December 13, 2021. The Meeting ID will be posted on the Featured tab of BoardDocs when the meeting information is officially posted.