Thursday, May 22, 2014

Board Briefs from May 12, 2014 Business Meeting

This information includes highlights of action taken and information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the May 12, 2014, 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.
    Superintendent Remarks
    • Dr. Donna Jahnke said this year's Dogwood Festival, sponsored by the City of Ladue, was a great success on Saturday, May 10, 2014.  It has been seven years since the last festival, but was brought back under the leadership of Mayor Nancy Spewak.  Dr. Jahnke thanked Ladue Schools facility crew for helping with the festival, and mentioned Ladue Schools' had made a good showing at the festival with groups from Reed Elementary School, Conway Elementary School and the Fifth Grade Center walking in the parade, and the high school band playing as the parade passed by the high school.  
    • Ladue Middle School will host the annual African-American Student Recognition Night this week which provides a great opportunity to recognize the many outstanding achievements of our African-American students.
    • Ladue Horton Watkins High School's graduation ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 5 p.m. at the high school stadium.
    ACTION ITEMS

    Bid Approvals.  At this time of year, as the district prepares for summer projects, a number of budgeted projects come to the Board for approval.  The Board approved four bid recommendations presented by administration.  The Board is required to approve any purchases over $25,000.

    Revisions to Policies GCB and GDB and Resolution Regarding Administrative Salary Ranges.  The Board voted to suspend portions of policies and resolutions in regard to setting salary parameters for professional (certified) staff, support staff and administrators.  These steps were taken in order to allow for more collaboration and broader understanding of the topics involved in setting parameters around employee compensation before moving forward with further discussions.

    WORK SESSION ITEMS
    2014-17 Technology Plan Presentation.  Director of Technology Rob Highfill outlined the changes anticipated to be made to the Technology Plan originally approved by the Board in 2013.

    Extra Duty Stipend Amounts.  Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented the 2014-15 Stipend List.  There were no position additions or deletions.  Some athletic head coach amounts were adjusted based on comparable salary data.  In addition, the administration will be recommending a one-time $500 stipend for head coaches with ten or more years experience in their sport in order to keep experienced, quality coaches.  This item will come to the Board for approval at the May 28, 2014 Board of Education meeting.


    Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting May 28, 2014:

    ACTION 
    • 2014-2015 Board Meeting Dates 
    • Extra Duty Stipend Amounts 
    INFORMATION 
    • 2014-2015 School Lunch Prices 
    • Board Member Assignment to Board Advisory and Other Committees 
    • Spanish Program Report 
    • 2014-2015 Budget Introduction 
    The next Business Meeting of the Board will take place on May 28, 2014, at 7 p.m. at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.  

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    Monday, May 12, 2014

    Board Briefs from April 28, 2014 Business Meeting

    This information includes highlights of action taken and information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the April 28, 2014, 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.

    Student and Staff Recognition

    Excellence in Education Award
    Stephanie Chapie, Second-Grade Teacher
    Old Bonhomme Elementary School

    Board President Remarks
    Board President Jeff Kopolow announced two policies (GCB and GDB) regarding staff compensation would be moved from the Consent Agenda and placed on the Action Item agenda in order for the Board to have further discussion and hear public comment on these topics.
    Superintendent Remarks
    Dr. Donna Jahnke announced the district is in the midst of a very busy concert season, along with many other end-of-year activities taking place throughout the district.  The Ladue Middle School Band Concert is scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, 2014 and the high school Symphonic and Concert Bands will perform on Thursday, May 1, 2014.
    ACTION ITEMS

    GCB and GDB: Staff Compensation Policies.  The Board approved policies outlining the requirements for setting maximum salaries for Professional (Certified) Staff (GCB) and salary ranges for Support Staff (GDB).  The parameters for Professional Staff will be discussed in the 2014-15 Meet and Confer process and will be approved by the Board after the Meet and Confer process is complete in 2015.  See "Support Staff Salary Structure" below regarding the approval of support staff salary ranges.  (A similar structure for Administrative Staff was approved by the Board in the 2012-13 school year.)

    Designation of Board Members.  President Kopolow announced Board member appointments for providing Ladue Schools representation in the following three organizations:
    • Missouri School Boards' Association:  Jeff Kopolow (Alternate: Dan Regelean)
    • Special School District:  Dan Regelean (Alternate: Sheri Glantz)
    • EducationPlus Legislative Liaison (Dr. Donna Jahnke and Dan Regelean)
    Support Staff Salary Structure.  Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics recommended, and the Board approved, support staff salary ranges.  The ranges represent 20% above and below the midpoints established and approved during the 2012-13 school year.  Additional procedures are anticipated to be developed related to years of experience, education, maximum salaries, and overall methods for movement through the ranges.

    2014-15 Transportation.  Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner recommended, and the Board approved, the following vendors be selected to provide the district with student transportation-related services.  These contracts were competitively bid and in conjunction and cooperation with the University City School District.
    • Day-to-Day Operations:  Missouri Central School Bus: (3-year contract)
    • School Bus Fleet:  Central States Bus (5-year lease/purchase contract)
    • Management Services:  Transpar (3-year contract)
    2014-15 Banking Services.  Dr. Buckner recommended, and the Board approved, the appointment of First National Bank of St. Louis to provide the district's banking services.  First National Bank of St. Louis has been the district's banking partner for approximately twenty years and was the only institution to respond to the proposal by the deadline.

    INFORMATION ITEMS

    High School Feasibility Study.  Representatives from Mackey Mitchell Architects presented the findings of the feasibility study conducted to determine the logistics and financial implications of updating and renovating the high school facilities.  The presentation outlined the findings of a variety of  analyses performed by Mackey Mitchell, as well as rough concepts and cost estimates based on various levels of renovation.  The Board and administration will utilize the findings of this study to begin to determine possible next steps for working toward a renovation project for the high school.  No specific timelines or commitments have been made for moving forward with renovations beyond this study.

    2014-15 Board Meeting Dates.  President Kopolow outlined a proposed schedule for 2014-15 Board of Education meetings.  The proposed schedule suggests moving Work Sessions from Mondays to Wednesday, with Business Meetings continuing to occur on Monday.  Moving Work Sessions to Wednesday night would allow administration greater efficiencies in organizing and preparing for these meetings.

    Tentative Agenda Items for Work Session May 12, 2014:
    • 2014-2017 Technology Plan Presentation 
    • Extra Duty Stipend Amounts 
    Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting May 28, 2014:

     ACTION 
    • 2014-2015Board Meeting Dates 
    • Extra Duty Stipend Amounts 
    INFORMATION 
    • 2014-2015 School Lunch Prices 
    • Board Member Assignment to Board Advisory and Other Committees 
    • Spanish Program Report 
    • 2014-2015 Budget Introduction 
    On May 12, 2014, the Board of Education will hold a Work Session at 6 p.m.  The next Business Meeting of the Board will take place on May 28, 2014, at 7 p.m.  Both meetings will take place at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.  
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