This information includes highlights of information received by the Ladue Schools Board of Education at the September 27, 2023 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 September 27 Business Meeting

Board President Remarks

• This is Homecoming Week and there are a host of activities that will take place for those festivities. Last night, the field hockey team took on Parkway South in the stadium and tonight, the boys’ soccer team takes on Parkway Central. Tomorrow is Blue and White Night in the stadium where all fall sports will be recognized and the annual Powderpuff Game will benefit Operation Food Search. That kicks off at 7. Friday night the Ladue football team takes on Lafayette at 7 p.m. so we hope everyone will come out to the Homecoming Game on Friday. The Homecoming Dance will be on Saturday at the high school.

• The SSD Governing Council met on Monday, Sept. 25 via Zoom. This was our orientation meeting for any newly appointed members of the council. All but three of the 22 partner districts were represented. The SSD Parent Advisory Council is also looking for additional representation and Ladue is one of the underrepresented districts. Since we do not currently have a district PAC, which used to be SEPC, any parent of a student who receives SSD services is eligible to attend SSD PAC meetings. All meetings are held virtually. The next meeting is Oct. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. and the address can be found on the SSD website at ssdmo.org.

• The MSBA Advocates Committee meeting was held Tuesday, Sept. 19 where we set advocate position statements for the upcoming legislative session. I am the Advocacy Chair for Region 7. The MSBA Annual Conference will take place in Kansas City from Nov. 2-4. All Board members are encouraged to attend. Here in Ladue, we will host the MSBA Region 7 Fall Meeting on Oct. 4 here at the high school.

• On Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon we will host Prop L Progress Tours, where you will have the opportunity to tour the middle school, Old Bonhomme Elementary, and Spoede Elementary. Details are on our district website.

Superintendent Remarks

• I want to congratulate Reed Elementary on being recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School – that’s quite an accomplishment.

• I also want to mention LHWHS senior Beau Dolan. We often get to see what our athletes do on the field, but we don’t often see what they do off the field to give back to the community. Beau and his sister, who is no longer a student here, started Ladue Night Lights which provides students of all abilities a chance to run up and down the football field to fans cheering. That happened last week and I want to thank Beau for his leadership, what a tremendous senior he is, and all of our staff that participated. I think we had some Board members who attended and I want to thank them for that support of our students.

• Our high school has 21 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists which is quite an accomplishment. Ladue, although we are a smaller high school compared to some, we continue to outperform most private and public high schools in terms of our turnout of NMSC Semifinalists, which means not only are we doing great things in our high school, but we have great families and a great community supporting our students.

• On Saturday, Oct. 7 we have the LEF ‘Due Run. If you’re not registered and you want to come out and run with me, it’s for everybody. We always have a lot of kids participating. Whether you are running or walking, it’s a fun time. And it’s paired with the opportunity for Prop L tours. Any of our community members can come out and see the progress we’re making with Prop L. Director of Facilities Mike Noonan and I will serve as tour guides. Mike knows this project like the back of his hand and hopefully I will be able to provide some insight as well. Our community will soon receive a postcard promoting this event.

• I want to recognize that our community is still reeling over the loss of Demetrious, Johnnie, and Deion. I want to thank President Lee for her leadership and our entire Board for your support. I want to thank our community which has rallied to support these families which makes me proud to be a part of Ladue.

ACTION ITEMS

2023-24 Operating Debt Tax Levies

Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Dr. Geoff Macy presented, and the Board approved, the 2023-24 operating debt tax levies.

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

Representatives from S.M. Wilson provided updates on construction progress and Ladue Middle School, Old Bonhomme Elementary, and Spoede Elementary, along with the latest change order requests and pay application.

Wachter Presentation, Change Order Request and Pay Application

Representatives from Wachter, Inc. provided updates on construction progress and Conway Elementary and Reed Elementary, along with the latest change order requests and pay application.

West Campus Plaza

The Board approved awarding the West Campus Plaza project to C. Rallo Contracting Co. for the total cost of $904,000, which includes a standing seam metal roof.

INFORMATION ITEMS

2024-25 Board of Education Meeting Schedule

President Lee discussed proposed 2024-25 Board of Education meeting dates.

Candidate Filing Agreement

Dr. Wipke discussed the Board of Education candidate filing agreement.

Board Policy Updates

The Board discussed several proposed policy updates.

Right at School

Director of Student Services Dr. Derrick Wallace provided information about Right at School’s before- and after-school enrichment programs.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education regular business meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. The Meeting ID will be posted on the Featured tab of BoardDocs when the meeting information is officially posted.