This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the November 23, 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.
November Excellence in Education Award
Kathie Dolan, Idea Lab Teacher, Spoede Elementary
Kathie Dolan, Idea Lab Teacher, Spoede Elementary
Board President's Remarks
- Board President Jeff Kopolow spoke about the terrorism attacks taking place and shared his confidence in the ability of the Ladue Schools’ staff to support our students in times of crisis and uncertainty. President Kopolow said he is proud to be associated with the Ladue School District where students are encouraged to share their views respectfully and honor the differences between us.
Superintendent Remarks
- Dr. Jahnke also shared her gratitude and pride in working for the Ladue School District. She said she is grateful to her colleagues, the Board of Education and the community the district serves, and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
ACTION ITEM
Acceptance of Auditor’s Report. The Board approved the Fiscal Year 2015 Audit. Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Dr. Jason Buckner introduced a representative of Daniel Jones & Associates, who presented the district’s annual Independent Auditor’s Report which states all financial statements reviewed, in all material respects, fairly represent the respective financial activities, and each major fund, of the district, as of June 30, 2015. The district received an “unqualified opinion,” the highest opinion a district can receive, and remains one of the few public school districts in Missouri, and one of less than a hundred in the nation, to hold a stand-alone AAA rating from Standard and Poor's.
2016-2017 LECC Tuition and BASK/TAS Rates. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ken Rossics and Ladue Early Childhood Center (LECC) Director Kerri Wetzel reviewed rate recommendations presented at the last meeting for the LECC’s current offerings which include: enrichment, toddler programming, preschool programming, Parents as Teachers (PAT), Parent and Child Together (PACT), and BASK (before and after school care). (The LECC also houses the St. Louis County Preschool for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.) The Board approved maintaining the current year’s rates for enrichment programming, toddler programming and BASK/TAS next year. For pre-school programs, the Board approved a tuition increase for the 2016-17 school year of 1% for residents and 2% for non-residents.
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), the Board approved fourteen policy revisions.
INFORMATION ITEMS
2016-2017 High School Course Change Proposals. High school teachers and administrators annually review courses to make additions, revisions, deletions and name changes based on research, best practices, and student interests and needs. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Jennifer Allen introduced LHWHS Principal Brad Griffith who reviewed the course change proposals for the 2016-17 school year. These changes include the addition of three new courses, the deletion of seven courses and name changes for nine courses. (Name changes do not involve a change in curriculum.) In addition, seven courses in which students are enrolled do not currently appear in the scheduling handbook, and will be added going forward. Additional details can be found by clicking on the heading to this paragraph.
2015-2016 Revised Budget. The Board of Education approved the 2015-16 Preliminary Budget on June 22, 2015. Each year, the annual budget is adjusted and revised based on the availability of more accurate revenue and expense data than is available in the summer before the school year begins. Dr. Buckner presented the revised budget which the Board will approve at the December 14, 2015, Business Meeting. The unrestricted operating budget will be a surplus budget with the district accumulating an unrestricted fund balance of approximately 49% when the budget year ends on June 30, 2016. However, as planned after the passage of Proposition 1 in 2012, the next budget year the district will deficit spend as the district uses the funds it has built up to carry it through budget years with continued minor revenue increases.
Community Survey Results and Analysis. Dr. Jahnke introduced Ken DeSieghardt of Patron Insight, LLC, the company that recently surveyed the Ladue Schools community to gauge overall perceptions of the district, as well as more specific views regarding the possibility of a significant high school renovation. General perceptions of the district have improved notably since the last community survey was conducted in 2011. In addition, there is overall support for a high school renovation, with specific components and funding methods being of greater or lesser importance. Results are available by clicking on the heading to this paragraph.
Master Facilities Plan Phase I. Dr. Jahnke and Dr. Buckner reviewed the costs of various components of a potential high school renovation, projects at other district buildings, and athletic field improvements. The Board will utilize this information in order to determine which components should be included in the total project should the Board decide to move forward with a bond referendum in April 2016. Dr. Buckner also reviewed the district’s overall current debt structure, as well as how that structure could be impacted by a future bond referendum.
Architect Contract and Schematic Design. Dr. Buckner reviewed the contract currently being negotiated with Hastings and Chivetta Architecture, as Architect of Record, for the high school renovation project. According to the contract under consideration, Hastings and Chivetta plan to collaborate with Bond Architects as the Associate Architect for Design. The signing of this contract would allow the architects to move forward with schematic designs for a high school renovation so that necessary preparation for the project can take place in the late spring and summer of 2016 should the Board decide to move forward with a bond referendum in April, and the request is approved by the community. Beginning schematic design now would allow for a target completion date of new construction to be August 1, 2018.
Construction Management Agency Process Timeline. Dr. Buckner outlined the process for the selection of Construction Management-Agency Services. Specifically, administration requested specific direction for beginning the Request for Proposal process and how final determinations will be made in order to have a recommendation for presentation to the Board on January 25, 2016.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Business Meeting on December 14, 2015 at 7 p.m. at the Administrative Center, 9703 Conway Road. Tentative agenda items include the following.
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting December 14, 2015:
Announcement of Filing for Board Election
ACTION
- 2016-2017 High School Course Change Proposal(s)
- 2015-2016 Revised Budget
- Bond Referendum Discussion/Decision
INFORMATION
- Second Semester Board Agenda Calendar (January - August)
