Board Briefs from January 26, 2015, Business Meeting

This information includes highlights of action taken and information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the January 26, 2015, 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.

Excellence in Education Award

Margaret Shockley

Fourth-Grade Teacher, Old Bonhomme Elementary School

Board President's Remarks

• Board President Jeff Kopolow announced the candidates who will be running for two seats on the Ladue Schools Board of Education in the election on April 7, 2015.  In filing order, they are:  Sheldon Johnson, Sheri Glantz, Nancy Leve Goldstein, Donald W. Buck, II and Kisha Lee.  The community will have an opportunity to hear from the candidates and ask questions at "Meet the Candidates Night" on March 24, 2015 at 7 p.m. in the Ladue Middle School cafeteria.
• In recognition of the week of January 25, 2015 being School Board Appreciation Week, Mr. Kopolow offered his thanks to his fellow Board members, as well as the administration and entire district staff, for their leadership, collaboration and teamwork on behalf of students.

Superintendent's Remarks

• Also in recognition of School Board Appreciation Week, Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke thanked the Board of Education for their service to the district, presented Board members with certificates from the Missouri School Board Association and the State of Missouri, and read a proclamation from Governor Jay Nixon. In addition, a video expressing the administration's appreciation for the hard work of the Board was presented.
• Dr. Jahnke announced that the annual Chili Supper was a success with great attendance from all buildings across the district.  She congratulated the girls basketball teams for their wins against Parkway West following the supper.  
• Dr. Jahnke thanked building leaders for their participation at the Board of Education Work Session on January 14, 2015.   Following an overview of the district's Strategic Plan, building principals and directors rotated amongst groups of Board members to outline key projects included in their buildings' school improvement plans.   
• Dr. Jahnke also thanked Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics for coordinating meetings in all buildings to answer questions about the new compensation structure for the district's certified staff.  

INFORMATION ITEMS

Budget Update/Five-Year Financial Forecast.  Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Dr. Jason Buckner reviewed current district financial information and projections, as well as historical and comparative data.  He encouraged the Board to remain cautious and to continue to adhere to the 2% expenditure increase parameter currently in place, as only very minor revenue growth is anticipated.  This expenditure increase parameter is on track to be able to be kept in place until at least the 2019-20 school year.  The district also remains on target to remain above the 15% unrestricted fund balance parameter through the 2019-20 school year.  

2015 District Summer Programs.  Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Laura Brock and Director of Student Services Dr. Derrick Wallace outlined the district's recommendations for 2015 summer learning opportunities.  Programming is recommended to include:

• A high school credit recovery program
• Elementary and middle school programming to accommodate approximately 180 students with a focus on reading, math, STEM and Title I Math Support
• A fee-based Ladue Early Childhood Center Summer Camp 

2016-2017 School Calendar. Dr. Brock presented the administration's recommendation for the 2016-17 school year calendar.  This calendar maintains a similar structure as in recent years with minor adjustments in days used for professional development.  This calendar reflects the first school day as Monday, August 15, 2016 and the last school day as May 24, 2017.

FUTURE MEETINGS

Tentative Agenda Items for Work Session on Wednesday, February 11, 2015:

• High School Schedule
• Meet and Confer Report
• Master Plan Phase I Discussion

Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting on Monday, February 23, 2015:

Action

• Hearing and Approval of 2016-17 Calendar
• Meet and Confer Report Recommendations

Information

• Update on Math Action Plans

The next meeting of the Board will be a Work Session at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, 2015 at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.  

Board Briefs from January 14, 2015, Work Session

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Board of Education at the January 14, 2015, Work Session.  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 Remarks

• Board President Jeff Kopolow congratulated Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke on the news that she will be named New Superintendent of the Year by the Missouri Association of School Administrators for the Greater St. Louis Area District.
• President Kopolow praised the high school staff for their valuable participation in the parent meeting on Tuesday, January 13 at the high school.  An informational meeting was held to present and answer questions about changes in the high school schedule anticipated to be implemented in the 2015-16 school year.  Following the presentation, staff members gathered with small groups to answer questions and provide additional information.  

Superintendent Remarks

• Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke complimented Ladue Educators' Association representatives Melora Pruneau and Sweeney La Barge, and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics on the presentation given to staff on Monday, January 12 regarding changes to the district's compensation structure for certified staff.  This session will be followed up with individual school building meetings in order to answer specific questions.  
• Dr. Jahnke encouraged everyone to attend the annual Chili Supper on Friday, January 23, 2015.  The entire district is invited to this annual event which takes place from 5-7 p.m. in the Ladue Horton Watkins High School (LHWHS) cafeteria and is sponsored by the LHWHS Parent Association and Dads Club. Tickets ($6 in advance, $8 at the door) include dinner and entrance to the girls junior varsity and varsity basketball games.  Online payment and registration can be made at www.laduehighpa.com.

WORK SESSION

Strategic Plan.  Superintendent Dr. Jahnke provided an overview and update of the district's Strategic Plan and how it is being used to focus the district's energy and resources around six priority initiatives.  These initiatives are:

• Educational Structures and Instructional Time
• Technology Support for Instructional Strategies
• K-12 Math Review
• Missouri Learning Standards Integration
• Facilities Master Plan Implementation - Phase 1: High School Renovation
• Access to Early Childhood Education

The district is in the process of developing the state-required Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) based on the district's overall Strategic Plan, and in conjunction with specific building plans.  The CSIP includes specified and measurable student achievement goals in a format directed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

  

School Improvement Plans.  Following Dr. Jahnke's review of the Strategic Plan, Board members broke into smaller groups and the district's building principals and directors rotated amongst the groups to outline key projects included in their buildings' school improvement plans.   

Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting Monday, January 26, 2015

• School Board Recognition Week
• Announcement of School Board Candidates

ACTION

• Annual Renewal of Agreement to Participate in PEGS
• Five-Year Financial Plan
• Strategic Plan
• Bids for Roof Work

INFORMATION

• 2015 District Summer School Programs
• Draft of 2015 Legislative Positions

The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on Monday, January 26, 2015, at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.