Board Briefs from October 26, 2015 Business Meeting

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the October 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.

October Excellence in Education Award
Erika Niles, Literacy Coach, Ladue Middle School

National Merit Semifinalists
Claire Allen, Spencer Chen, Royce Dong, Greg Farn, Huayu Gao, Henok Getahun,
Jacob Granick, Kathryne Lamkin, Tom Liu, Rasika Sant, Rachel Steiner,
Steele Stewart, Rachel Wagner-Muns, and Hunter Wallace

Board President's Remarks

• Board President Jeff Kopolow congratulated this year’s National Merit Semi-Finalists, an elite group of students scoring in the top 1% of all students nationwide taking the PSAT.  Mr. Kopolow said he anticipates this group will continue a long tradition of Ladue Horton Watkins High School graduates who have gone on to do great things.  

Superintendent Remarks

• Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke welcomed Julia Burke to the meeting.  Ms. Burke is the associate superintendent for human resources in the Hazelwood School District and visited the meeting as part of her work toward her doctorate degree at St. Louis University.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Requisition Over $25,000.    Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner introduced Facilities Director Mike Noonan to present information regarding the administration’s recommendation for the purchase of a Toolcat to replace the district’s current machine which was purchased in 2006 and is increasingly in need of repair.  The cost of the new machine is $61,217 and is being offset by a trade-in of the current machine for $16,000 and a rebate of $11,440, for a total cost to the district of $33,770.  

Enrollment and Residency Report. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics presented the Enrollment and Residency Report for the 2015-16 school year.  The report includes information about current enrollment, as well as enrollment projections.  Following are a few highlights to the report.  For the full report, please click the header of this section.  

• As of Count Day 2015, the district has 4,165 students, reflecting an increase of 10 students over the 2014-15 school year. Similar minimal increases are anticipated for the next two school years.  
• The district currently has 81 students attending from unaccredited districts.  Projections do not include students from unaccredited districts, as the future of this program remains uncertain.
• The district’s English Language Learners (ELL) population continues to grow with 168 total students receiving services this year.  This is an increase of 21% over the 2014-15 school year.  There are 61 different languages spoken by students in the Ladue School District.
• Average elementary grade class sizes fall within the district’s current class size guidelines with the exception of the Fifth Grade Center.  Enrollment in fifth grade increased slightly after the deadline for hiring classroom teachers and a teacher assistant was hired to provide additional support.  Space limitations are beginning to become a factor at two of the elementary schools and at the middle school.

Update on Master Facilities Plan. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner updated the Board on current efforts regarding the high school renovation initiative.  The current focus is the pre-construction timeline that will be used. The Board and administration discussed how much preparation can and should be done prior to the Board’s anticipated decision in December on whether to move forward with a bond referendum in April 2016.   Similarly, there was discussion regarding how much preparation can and should be done prior to a potential April 5, 2016, vote, should the Board to decide to move forward with a referendum in December.  The goal of these discussions is to find the appropriate balance between being prepared to move expeditiously if the project is ultimately approved by voters, and the use of district resources if the project should not be moved forward in the short-term.  

The Board of Education will continue this discussion at the November 10, 2015, Work Session.  Results from the Community Survey currently underway are anticipated to be presented at the November 23, 2015, Business Meeting.  The survey is being used to gauge support for a high school renovation, as well as the community’s overall satisfaction with the district’s performance.  

Board Policy Changes.  In the district’s ongoing efforts to maintain policies which accurately represent district expectations, incorporate current legislative requirements, and take into account recommendations by the Missouri School Board Association (MSBA), Dr. Jahnke presented fourteen revised policies for the Board of Education’s discussion and review.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education meeting will be a Work Session on November 10, 2015, at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.  The following meeting will be a Business Meeting at 7 p.m. on November 23, 2015, in the library of Ladue Horton Watkins High School (1201 S. Warson Road).  Tentative agenda items include the following.   

Tentative Agenda Items for Work Session November 10, 2015:

INFORMATION

• Curriculum & Instruction Initiatives
• Update on Master Facilities Plan Phase I
• High School Initiatives
• 2016-17 LECC Tuition and BASK/TAS Rates
• SSD Educational Partnership Agreement

Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting November 23, 2015:

ACTION

• Board Policy Changes
• Acceptance of Auditor’s Report
• 2016-2017 LECC Tuition and BASK/TAS Rates
• SSD Educational Partnership Agreement
• SSD Reimbursement of Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Costs

INFORMATION

• 2016-17 High School Course Change Proposal(s)
• 2015-16 Revised Budget
• Community Survey Results and Analysis

Board Briefs from October 13, 2015 Work Session

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the October 13, 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's Remarks

• Board President Jeff Kopolow shared that friends of Rachel Pearline, a 1995 graduate of Ladue Horton Watkins High School, recently posted a very moving story about Rachel to a “go fund me” site on her behalf.  Rachel is battling stage four stomach cancer and her inspiring story, as well as a video she created can be found here.  Mr. Kopolow said that Rachel’s story is not only inspiring, but a true testament to the types of wonderful people we have had the honor of teaching within our schools.  

Superintendent Remarks

• Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke congratulated Old Bonhomme Elementary School on receiving the Gysbers Success Designation Award by the Guidance and Counseling Services section of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Missouri School Counselor Association.  This honor is awarded for a school’s commitment to implementing a comprehensive guidance and counseling program.  
• Dr. Jahnke also congratulated Ladue Horton Watkins High School’s Hannah Behr, who was recently recognized as a 2015-16 Outstanding Project Lead the Way Engineering Teacher.  Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is the nation’s leading provider of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs.  Hannah is the PLTW coordinator for the high school and has taken on an integral role in developing the program.  

REPORTS

MAP Data and Report. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Jennifer Allen presented the findings of the district’s Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Annual Performance Report.  Results are embargoed for public distribution until October 23, 2015, at which time the district will publish these results.  Also at that time, it is anticipated that local media will publish comparative results of the districts in the St. Louis area.    

Update on Master Facilities Plan. Dr. Jahnke updated the Board on the progress of the potential high school renovation initiative.  Over 25 meetings with various stakeholder groups have been conducted since school began, including two Community Forums to which the entire Ladue Schools community was invited.  In addition, the high school was open to the community for tours every night the week of October 5-9.  At the same time, high school and district administrators, as well as high school teachers, have continued to work with the design team to refine the potential design and estimate potential costs.  Discussions with the City of Ladue are beginning so that if the project continues to move forward, initial preparations for the project will have been made.

Survey Development Update. Dr. Jahnke and Director of Communications Susan Downing updated the Board on the Community Survey being developed in order to gauge residents’ satisfaction with the district, as well as their thoughts about, and support for, a potential high school renovation.  The telephone survey will begin on October 23 and calling will continue until 600 calls reflecting a representative cross-section of the community have been completed.  Results will be reported to the Board at the November 23 meeting.  An online survey will be available to all residents from October 23 through November 13.  Although online responses will not be included in the quantitative analysis provided to the Board, they will be reviewed.  The Board is expected to make a decision at the December 14 meeting whether to move forward with requesting a bond referendum at the April 2016 election.

Principals Share School Improvement. Board members broke into smaller groups and the district’s building principals and directors rotated amongst the groups to outline key initiatives underway in their buildings.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on October 26, 2015, at 7 p.m. at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road.  Tentative agenda items include the following.  

Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting October 26, 2015:

• National Merit Recognized Students

ACTION

• 2015-2016 Bus Routes/Mileage
• SSD Reimbursement of ECSE Costs

INFORMATION

• LEF and Alumnae Report

• Enrollment and Residency Report
• Update on Master Facilities Plan Phase I
• Board Policy Changes

Board Briefs from September 28, 2015 Business Meeting

This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the September 28, 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

Bob Westerholt

Social Studies Teacher, Ladue Horton Watkins High School

Superintendent Remarks

• Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke congratulated Bob Westerholt on receiving the Excellence in Education Award, noting how often she hears from students how much they like his AP Psychology class.  
• Last week was Homecoming week and full of a lot of excitement and activity.  The high school celebrated “Spirit Week” all week, culminating in a great pep rally.  Saturday began with the Ladue Education Foundation “‘Due Run 4 Education,” followed by the parade at noon, a big football win over Clayton High School, and the homecoming dance.
• Dr. Jahnke attended the St. Louis American Awards Event on Friday, September 25, 2015, where Ladue Middle School Associate Principal Dr. Tiffany Taylor-Johnson received the prestigious 2015 Excellence in Education Award from the St. Louis American Foundation.   
• This week, Dr. Jahnke and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Jennifer Allen will be headed to Sixth Grade Camp at Camp Mihaska in Bourbon, MO.  Many thanks to Mark Biernbaum, and many other staff members and high school students, for their coordination and participation of this annual excursion which allows sixth graders the opportunity to explore interests and enjoy team building activities.
• The second of two Community Forums is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30.  These meetings provide district residents with the opportunity to hear more about the potential high school renovation and take a tour of the building.  
• Next week, October 5 - 9, the high school will be open from 6 - 8 p.m. every evening for the community to tour the building which takes approximately 20 minutes.  

ACTION ITEM

Approval of 2015-2016 Operating Budget Tax Levy. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Jason Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation for setting the operating tax levy for the 2015-16 school year.  Preliminary data from St. Louis County indicates an increase in property assessments of approximately 5.5%.  However, due to the Hancock Amendment, the district is limited to increasing the total amount of tax collected by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the previous year.  The CPI in 2014 was .8%.  Therefore, the operating tax levy will be reduced from the 2014 rate ($3.31 single rate method) to the rate in each sub-class of property as follows:  $3.1438 (residential), $3.2409 (commercial), $3.75 (agricultural) and $3.24 (personal).  

This levy would equate to $3.1675 if St. Louis County used a single rate method.  However, in 2003, legislation was passed requiring separate ceilings to be set so that one category of property is not penalized as a result of rising property values in other categories.  

Approval of 2015-2016 Debt Service Levy.  Dr. Buckner presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation for setting the debt service levy for the 2015-16 school year.  The ceiling for the district’s debt service levy, as calculated by St. Louis County, is $.76.  However, the district’s practice for approximately the last ten years has been to set the levy in order to raise sufficient revenue to manage principal and interest payments, but no more.  The recommendation this year was to continue that practice and maintain the debt service levy for 2015-16 at the current rate of $.39.

The district currently has approximately $70 million in outstanding debt from prior bond referendums approved by the district’s voting community.  This equates to approximately 31% of the district’s legally allowed debt margin of approximately $225 million.  

INFORMATION ITEMS

Transportation. Dr. Buckner provided a summary of the 2015-16 bus routes and mileage.  The district currently runs 22 bus routes, with daily mileage totaling just over 1,900 miles.  The Board is required to approve bus routes on an annual basis and this item will come back to the Board for approval on October 26, 2015.

Communications Report. Director of Communications Susan Downing updated the Board on initiatives completed by the Communication Department over the past year, as well as areas of focus for the 2015-16 school year which include:  supporting the high school renovation initiative, converting all websites to content management systems responsive to all devices, developing structures to support the Ladue Alumni Association, adopting and implementing a mobile app (ParentLink), and converting mass email systems to a new provider (MarketVolt).

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education meeting will be a Work Session on October 13, 2015.  The following meeting will be a Business Meeting at 7 p.m. on October 26, 2015.  Both meetings will be held at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road. Tentative agenda items include the following.   

Tentative Agenda Items for Work Session October 13, 2015:

INFORMATION

• MAP Data and Report
• Update on Master Facilities Plan Phase I
• Survey Development Update
• Principals Share School Improvements

Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting October 26, 2015:

• National Merit Recognized Students

ACTION

• 2015-2016 Bus Routes/Mileage
• SSD Reimbursement of ECSE Costs

INFORMATION

• LEF and Alumnae Report

• Enrollment and Residency Report
• Update on Master Facilities Plan Phase I
• Board Policy Changes