Thursday, July 25, 2013

Ladue Schools Board of Education Meeting - July 22, 2013

This information includes highlights of action taken and information received by the Ladue Board of Education at the July 22, 2013, 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 Remark
Board President Jeff Kopolow introduced the topic of the student transfer program resulting from the June 11, 2013 Missouri Supreme Court Decision.  (See detailed information on the district’s website.)  He invited Dr. Donna Jahnke to share additional details.

Superintendent Remarks
With it being her first Board of Education meeting as Superintendent, Dr. Donna Jahnke expressed her enthusiasm for the district’s leadership team and the beginning of the new school year.

Dr. Jahnke also provided the current details of the student transfer program, reminding both the Board and audience members the number of applications for transfer changes on a daily basis and will not be finalized until August 1, 2013.

ACTION ITEMS

2013-14 Tuition Rate for Nonresident Property Owners.  Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner presented, and the Board approved, an annualized tuition rate of $14,534.75 for the 2013-14 school year.  Each school year, the Board of Education establishes a tuition rate. The 2013-14 rate was calculated, as suggested by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Cooperating School District (CSD) officials, by using the supplied Suggested Worksheet for Determination of Basic Tuition Charge.  It should be noted the tuition rate includes debt service.

Parameters Resolution for Bond Refinance.  Dr. Buckner presented, and the Board approved, authorization for the administration to pursue refunding of the district’s bond debt should the financial climate become favorable to do so.  The purpose of refunding would be to save tax dollars and thereby possibly reduce the need to increase the debt service tax levy in the future.

Edits to Policy GDBDA – Support Staff Leaves and Absences.  Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented, and the Board approved, revisions to this policy in order to include information inadvertently excluded in the previous revision.

Edits to Policy JECB – Admission of Nonresident Students.   Dr. Jahnke recommended, and the Board approved, a revision to this policy in order to clarify the tuition payment schedule set by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for student transfers from unaccredited districts.

INFORMATION ITEMS

West Campus Renovation Projects. Dr. Buckner reviewed the status of renovation projects at the West Campus, reporting the Fifth Grade Center renovations, as well as the move-in schedule, remain on track for an efficient opening in August 2013.

Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting August 26, 2013:

      Opening of Schools Report

      ACTION
  • Re-adoption of Board Policy BBFA – Board Member Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosure; Other Policy Updates
  • 2013-2014 District Facilities Fee Schedule
  • Patron Appointments to Board Advisory Committees
      INFORMATION
  • District Preliminary MAP Test Results
  • Board of Education Goals/Work Plan
  • First Semester Board Meeting Agenda Calendar

The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on August 26, 2013 at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.