This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the March 14, 2022 regular Board of Education 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.
Click here to view a recording from the March 14 Board Meeting
Board President Remarks
Several board members recently traveled to Jefferson City to attend a legislative update, which included an opening session and smaller group sessions. Kisha Lee served on a panel for one of those groups. We attended a session on charters and one about current hot topics in legislation. We will share the information we gathered with the rest of the board.
March 28 is a regional meeting during which school board members come together and discuss current events, and we will attend that as well.
We will hold a school board election on April 5, but please know that there are only two candidates for two open seats after one of the candidates dropped out. The two candidates are Jeff Kopolow and Sheldon Johnson.
Superintendent Remarks
Our Speech and Debate Team qualified several students to compete in the state competition and senior Ryan Tung earned his Degree of Premier Distinction from the National Forensic League.
I want to put a spotlight on the importance of students’ voices. Over the past two weeks, we have had multiple opportunities to listen and learn from our students. The first opportunity was when I sat down with our fifth-graders to talk about Board Appreciation Week as you saw in the video. During this discussion, I also heard from them about their enjoyment of being in school and their appreciation of their teachers and our district. I hope you’ll listen to our podcast featuring our Fifth Grade Center students.
Another opportunity to spotlight students’ voices was our Student Advisory Council meetings. On Thursday, we had a wonderful meeting with the combined group of our high school and middle school students to walk them through two activities that allowed them to provide us with their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions related to our Panorama data and strategic planning. The students were wonderful as they gave us insight and tangible solutions for the areas in which we hope to improve. Thank you to Jeff Kopolow and Kisha Lee for attending this workshop.
I continue to enjoy my weekly visits to schools; this morning I visited Ladue Middle School and witnessed the LEF supporting education and leadership programs.
We are getting closer to completing our strategic planning process. Several board members shared their questions with Dr. Zielinski and me; we appreciate your support as we move forward.
With COVID mitigation, we are in the low range of positive cases right now. If you’re wondering what that means, you can log on to our district website, click on COVID Resources, and then click on the Mitigation Presentation link where you can see more information.
We celebrated both our district and SSD social workers for National School Social Work Week last week. They do a great job supporting students, families, and staff in a variety of ways. They serve our school community on a daily basis and we are fortunate to have them on our team. I want to personally thank them for their dedication.
ACTION ITEMS
SM Wilson Presentation, Change Order, and Pay Application
SM Wilson provided updates on Prop L construction progress. The Board approved the latest change orders and pay application related to the work.
Wachter and Hoener Pay Application
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Geoff Macy recommended the Board approve the February pay application for a design-build contract with Wachter Inc. to design and build gymnasiums/reinforced storm shelters associated with Prop L at Conway and Reed. The Board approved the pay application.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Landscape Service Contract (MOVED TO ACTION)
Director of Facilities Mike Noonan recommended, and the Board approved, awarding Green RX a contract for landscape and mowing work.
Endorsement for the Regional Executive Committee Chair
President Jaeger shared that Vice President Kisha Lee is seeking to become the chairperson for the Regional Executive Committee under the MSBA.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Amy Zielinski shared an update on the district’s strategic planning timeline.
President Jaeger led a discussion on current Board Advisory Committees and the potential for expansion.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Board of Education meeting will be a regular Business Meeting on Monday, April 11, 2022. The Meeting ID will be posted on the Featured tab of BoardDocs when the meeting information is officially posted.
