This document includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the Oct. 28, 2019 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
National Merit Semifinalists
Row 1 (L to R): Michael Wayne (12), Anna Zhong (12), Kashish Dhawan (12), and Jacob Sheldon (12); Row 2 (L to R): Matthew Shareshian (12), Cindy Wang (12), Katherine Shaw (12), Lilly Tung (12), Will Stappenbeck (12); Row 3 (L to R): Shelei Pan (12), Gavin Giuliani (12), Carlos Puyo (12), Christopher Ye (12), Jeremy Ouyang (12).
Board President's Remarks
- Board President Carolyn Jaeger announced that filing for candidacy in the 2020 Board of Education elections will begin on Dec. 17, 2019 at 8 a.m. and close on Jan. 21, 2010 at 5 p.m. This year there are three positions available. Click here for additional details posted on the district website.
Superintendent Remarks
- Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke congratulated Garrett White on receiving the October Excellence in Education Award and commended him on the positive relationships he has built with both students and staff.
- Dr. Wipke also congratulated the 14 high school students who were recognized as National Merit Semifinalists.
- Dr. Wipke shared that Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Amy Zielinski had recently attended the recognition ceremony for National Districts/School of Character in Washington, D.C. Dr. Zielinski said it was an amazing experience to celebrate the Ladue Early Childhood Center and Ladue Middle School for their National School of Character recognitions and the district on its National District of Character recognition. She also noted that the topic of the keynote addresses focused on the importance of social emotional learning to character education.
- In this week following parent teacher conferences, Dr. Wipke noted that all of the comments he has received from parents has been very positive and that the high percentage of parents who attend conferences is a testament to the high level of engagement and involvement of our parents, making this long week for teachers very worthwhile.
- Dr. Wipke let everyone know that all the red ribbons they are seeing around the district are in recognition of Red Ribbon Week, a week devoted to drug awareness and encouraging youth to maintain a drug-free lifestyle.
- Dr. Wipke also went to the recognition of the Regional and Semifinalist Teachers of the Year last week, along with Board Member Kisha Lee, former Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke and Dr. Zielinski. They were there to honor our own Angela Kelly, Ladue Schools’ 2019 District Teacher of the Year and Regional Teacher of the Year.
- Dr. Wipke thanked President Jaeger for representing the district and the Board at the City of Ladue City Council meeting on Monday, Oct. 21. Mayor Nancy Spewak was presented with a plaque in appreciation for the city’s collaboration with the district during the renovation of Ladue Horton Watkins HIgh School
- Dr. Wipke congratulated the Ladue Education Foundation (LEF) on another successful annual breakfast event, noting that it was great to see such enthusiasm and support from the community.
- Last week Dr. Wipke had the opportunity to participate in Coffee with the Mayor with Mayor Missy Waldman of Olivette. He expressed his appreciation for the city’s collaboration with the district.
- The first C.U.R.E. meeting of the year took place on Oct. 10, 2019. Dr. Wipke said he was grateful for the candid conversation about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion topics and looks forward to working with the district’s African-American families to identify ways to bridge the opportunity gap in the district through identifying specific goals and the action steps needed to achieve them.
- Nov. 12, 2019 is an election day and a districtwide Professional Development day. The Curriculum & Instruction Department and individual buildings are creating opportunities for teachers and staff to delve into a wide variety of learning opportunities, focusing on First Best Instruction.
ACTION ITEMS
2020-21 Board Meeting Schedule. President Jaeger presented, and the Board approved, the Board of Education’s meeting dates for the 2020-21 school year. Board meetings will be held in the Ladue Horton Watkins High School Multipurpose Room and will take place primarily on Mondays and begin at 6 p.m. (Click on the header to this paragraph for the complete schedule.)
2020-21 School Calendar. Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Amy Zielinski, presented, and the Board approved, the administration’s recommendation for the Revised 2020-21 School Calendar. A new Missouri law states that beginning in the 2020-21 school year, districts cannot start “earlier than 14 days prior to the first Monday in September” (Labor Day). With an emphasis on completing the first semester by Winter Break and having students finished with school by Memorial Day, the originally approved 2020-21 calendar was revised. (Please click on the header to this paragraph for details and the resulting calendar.)
INFORMATION ITEMS
Ladue Education Foundation Report. President Jaeger introduced Ladue Education Foundation (LEF) Executive Director Julie Ferrie. Ms. Ferrie updated the Board on the final results of the Capital Campaign which supported renovation of the high school. Mrs. Ferrie also outlined current initiatives underway, as well as the overall structure of the LEF, noting their continued expansion and increased abilities to support extraordinary opportunities for the Ladue Schools students and staff.
Enrollment and Residency Report. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Dr. Julie Helm, and Director of Student Services Dr. Derrick Wallace updated the Board on current enrollment and projected enrollment for the next three years. As of Missouri Count Day (Sept. 25, 2019), total district enrollment was 4,234, with an increase of 19 resident students and a decrease of 20 non-resident students, resulting in a net decrease of one student in comparison with the 2019-20 school year. Slight increases are anticipated to continue for the next few years. Additional details can be found by clicking on the header to this paragraph.
Construction Management Methods Presentation. Director of Facilities Mike Noonan provided information regarding the various construction methods the district has used in the past for improvements to its buildings. In addition, Mr. Noonan outlined a somewhat newer construction method which the Board may consider for upcoming projects. “Construction Manager at Risk” is a methodology where the construction agency takes on greater responsibility (and risk) in the management and subcontracting of
a project. The Board will vote on the adoption of a policy relating to this construction method later this fall.
Change June 2020 Board Meeting Date. Dr. Wipke and the Board discussed the possibility of moving the June 22, 2020 Board meeting to June 29, 2020. A number of administrators will be attending the Leadership & Racism Institute from June 22 to 25, 2020, making it difficult to get the full benefit of the institute and be at the Board meeting.
Special Meeting, Jan. 21, 2020. President Jaeger advised the Board that a Special Board Meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. to provide architectural and construction management firms who are selected to refine potential improvements to K-4 elementary schools and the middle school opportunities to present information to the Board.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a Board Work Session on Nov. 12, 2019, at the Ladue Horton Watkins High School Multipurpose Room, 1201 S. Warson Road, at 6 p.m. Tentative agenda items for that meeting include the following.
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting November 12, 2019:
INFORMATION
- School Improvement Plan: Leadership Sharing
- 2020-21 LECC Tuition and BASK/TAS Rates
- 2020-21 High School and Middle School Course Change Proposals
- MAP Data Report and Student Performance
- Board Goals Review
Tentative Agenda Items for Business Meeting November 25, 2019:
ACTION
- Acceptance of Auditor’s Report
- 2020-21 LECC Tuition and BASK/TAS Rates
- 2020-21 High School and Middle School Course Change Proposals
- Recommendation for a construction management company, performance contractor and architect
INFORMATION
- Secondary School Presentations (FGC, LMS, HS)
- Social-Emotional Behavior Report and Update
- School Counseling Program Update
- Summer School Programs Update
