This information includes highlights of action taken and information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the December 8, 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.
Excellence in Education Award
Dee Ayres
Preschool Teacher, Ladue Early Childhood Center
- Board President Jeff Kopolow announced that filing will begin on December 16, 2014 for anyone interested in running for a position on the Board of Education. Interested persons may file at the Superintendent's Office located at the Administrative Center (9703 Conway Rd., St. Louis, MO 63124.) Filing ends on Tuesday, January 20, 2015. Two positions are available with three-year terms. Get more information.
- Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke announced that the district's psychologist, Maggie Travers, was recently honored as the St. Louis Suburban Counselor Advocate of the Year. She was presented with her award by Old Bonhomme Elementary School Counselor Hayley Arnold.
- Dr. Jahnke also offered her congratulations to the LHWHS Boys Varsity Soccer team on their outstanding season. The team finished fifth in the state. Senior Michael Wielansky was the district's first player to be voted to the All-State First Team. Junior Chris Naunheim was named to the All-State Second Team and Junior David Maffly-Kipp was named All-State Honorable Mention. Dave Aronberg coaches the team and is also a sixth-grade social studies teacher at Ladue Middle School.
2015-16 High School Course Change Proposals. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Laura Brock presented, and the Board approved, the proposed high school course changes for the 2015-16 school year. Included were course changes recommended by the teaching staff for the addition of five courses, the deletion of three courses, as well as recommendations for changing three course names. Details can be found by clicking the heading of this paragraph.
High School Facility Renovation Project: Construction Planning Team. Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Dr. Jason Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the appointment of the following companies to assist the district in the development of plans for a potential high school renovation project. These firms were selected based on input from Facilities and Finance Board Advisory Committee members, past district experience, reference checks, proposal evaluation, cost and familiarity with the district and its community.
- Construction Management Firm: S.M. Wilson
- Architectural Services: Bond Architects and Hastings & Chivetta (These two firms will contribute separately and differently to various components and phases of the project.)
- Financial Advisor: Sentry Financial
Health Insurance Carriers. Dr. Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the administration's recommendations for employee health insurance carriers for the 2015-16 school year. The district's medical and dental insurance programs are self-funded and implementation of new programs within recent years have significantly reduced the district's expenditures for these programs. Therefore, extensions with existing carriers were negotiated, with slight increases in dental premiums anticipated. Medical premiums are still under consideration based on claims experience.
Early Separation Incentive Program. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented, and the Board approved, an Early Separation Incentive Plan (ESIP). The plan, in accordance with Board policy GCPCA, will provide compensation in the amount of $40,000 for certified staff members and $30,000 for non-certified staff members who are eligible for retirement according to the state's retirement system and choose to leave the district's employment at the end of the 2014-15 school year. It is not anticipated another ESIP will be recommended for consideration by the Board prior to the 2018-19 school year.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Meet and Confer Certified Compensation Committee Report. Mr. Rossics and Ladue Educator Association Meet & Confer Director Melora Pruneau outlined the details of the Certified Compensation Committee's recommendations for revising the compensation structure for the district's certified staff. The primary goals of the plan are to rectify salary inconsistencies that have developed over the years and to put in place a process capable of maintaining a fair and equitable system going forward. Official adoption of the plan will take place as part of the Meet & Confer discussions in the spring. Between now and then, staff will have the opportunity to learn more about the plan and have questions answered, as the implementation details are finalized.
Second Semester Board Agenda Calendar. Dr. Jahnke outlined the tentative Board calendar for the second semester which includes the major topics anticipated for all Board of Education meetings through the end of the 2015-16 school year. The calendar will be adjusted based on the progress of initiatives being addressed and as new topics arise.
District Roof Work Bids. Dr. Buckner informed the Board that the roofs of five of the district's buildings are at, or past, their serviceable life expectancy. The administration will be presenting the lowest qualified bid(s) for these projects to the Board for approval on January 25, 2015.
FUTURE MEETINGS
Tentative Agenda Items for Work Session January 14, 2015
- Update on Master Plan Phase I Discussion
- Strategic Plan
- School Board Recognition Week
- Announcement of School Board Candidates
- Annual Renewal of Agreement to Participate in PEGS
- Five-Year Financial Plan
- Strategic Plan
- Bids for Roof Work
- 2015 District Summer School Programs
- Draft of 2015 Legislative Positions
