This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the May 15, 2023 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.

View a recording from the May 15 Board Meeting

Board President Remarks

• I would like to remind the Board that the MSBA Summer Summit is June 16 and 17 in Branson.

• I would like to congratulate our Ladue Schools community as the school year comes to an end. As many can attest, the two best days of the school year are the first day and the last day. We just wrapped up Teacher Appreciation Week last week and I would like to thank our teachers and staff members who work diligently to ensure our students are prepared to excel in anything they pursue, as you have seen here tonight. I also want to congratulate our amazing students at all levels for all of their awe-inspiring accomplishments. The future of our students is bright.

• As we prepare for graduation this Sunday – which is one of my favorite events – and our seniors finish their time with us here in Ladue Schools, I also want to give a shoutout to our parents. As I’m sure some around this dais can attest, this point of transition causes parents to reflect on and remember when their babies entered kindergarten and maybe just like me wanted to follow the bus and stay with them all day. But you didn’t, and they turned out just fine. They moved through their K through 12 education, and while there may have been an occasional bad day, or an ER visit, an extra hug, or a stern talking to, they made it, and we are all so very proud of them. I would simply remind the Class of 2023 and our entire community that “Once a Ram, always a Ram” and We Are Ladue.

• I would also like to remind you that the meeting of the Board of Education is an opportunity for the Board to hold its meeting in public.

Superintendent Remarks

• I want to start out by saying happy Mother’s Day to all of our moms – thank you for all that you do.

• We held a successful Board retreat on April 27. I appreciated the dialogue and everyone’s willingness to discuss topics like our district goals, safety of our schools, committee structures, budgetary items, and future planning, just to name a few. I look forward to our next Board retreat on June 15.

• Speaking of safety, I appreciate the Board’s support with hiring a new Safety and Security Coordinator this evening. We’ll make an official announcement to our staff and community on Tuesday. I also want to thank our Board for its initial support of Ladue police officers at our middle school. Lastly, we will share information about Centegix with you tonight, and a potential contract which is also directly connected to safety and security of our students.

• There are so many wonderful things happening in our district, and many of them were highlighted tonight during Student Recognition. You may have already done so, but if you haven’t, please thank our Communications Department for all of its hard work in putting that together.

• I also want to thank Don Goble for his work on all of our Excellence in Education videos this year. They are absolutely phenomenal.

• Our Human Resources Department is very busy with hiring and interviews this time of year and I’m excited about who we’re adding to our Ladue Schools family.

• Each week we move closer to completion of our Prop L projects. This summer will be very important for us to hit our deadlines in February.

• I was fortunate enough to receive a private tour of our Robotics Department here at the high school – it’s pretty remarkable.

• I also want to highlight LEA, the Ladue Educators Association. I’m proud to work with the LEA and we are good partners. We’ve been meeting all year long, at least once per month, to have conversations.

• I want to share a story with you about a student who reached out to me as an example of the high-quality kids we have here in Ladue Schools. Noah Temple reached out to me, and he has started his own coffee company called Junior Java. It’s pretty remarkable, and when I say he started his own company, it’s a legitimate operation. If you’re looking for a good cup of java, I know where you can go. I’m very proud of Noah for reaching out to me – he had questions about how he might partner with the LEF and different organizations within our school structure. Everything he has raised is given to organizations that help kids who can’t afford school supplies. He’s a remarkable young man.

• We had our Ladue African American Student Alliance Brunch on May 6. It was very well attended and very nicely done.

• Preparation for graduation is ongoing for the Class of 2023 and on May 21 we will see another set of amazing students walk across the stage.

• President Lee and I attended the Red Carpet Rams ceremony today at our middle school, which was a great way to recognize our students.

• It’s been a wonderful year and I want to thank our parents, students, and amazing staff for making it all happen. 

ACTION ITEMS

S. M. Wilson Presentation, Change Order Requests, and Pay Application

Representatives from S. M. Wilson provided a construction update on the projects at Ladue Middle School, Old Bonhomme Elementary, and Spoede Elementary. They also shared the latest change orders and pay application.

Wachter Presentation and Pay Application

Representatives from Wachter, Inc. provided a construction update on the projects at Conway and Reed Elementary Schools. They also shared the latest pay application.

INFORMATION ITEMS

2023-24 Board Meeting Calendar Revision (MOVED TO ACTION)

The Board discussed and approved moving 2023-24 meetings from Mondays to Wednesdays.

Board Policy Changes

The Board discussed proposed changes to polices BDDB-2, IGDCA, and IGCD.

High School Scoreboard

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dr. Geoff Macy recommended the Board approve a proposed agreement with Digital Scoreboards to purchase and install new scoreboards in the LHWHS Aquatic Center.

Self-Insured Medical Plan Broker Selection

Dr. Macy discussed the interview process for a new provider of Employee Benefit Consulting Services.

Centegix Contract

Dr. Macy discussed Centegix and its incident alert system for schools.

Mediaworks Contract

Director of Communications Kimberly McKenzie discussed the district’s current partnership with Mediaworks and recommended entering into a new contract for its services.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education regular business meeting is Monday, June 26, 2023. The Meeting ID will be posted on the Featured tab of BoardDocs when the meeting information is officially posted.