Ladue School Board Members Chart Possible Short-Term Course For Westminster Property

A newly constituted Ladue Board of Education has voted to use the facility as a 5th Grade Center to accommodate growing district student enrollment.

The board also approved a custodial services contract that would result in the layoffs of as many as 19 district custodians and formalized a negotiated agreement with First Student Inc. to provide reduced student transportation services through the 2013-14 academic year.

The actions were taken during the board’s April 11 meeting at the district’s administration center after the board swore in two new members, said goodbye to two others, and elected new officers.

Whether the Westminster facility would eventually be converted into a second district middle school was left undetermined by the board. One of four Westminster options being studied by the board called for development of a 5th Grade Center for three to five years before transitioning into a middle school for students in grades five through eight. Some community members had lobbied against mixing 5th graders with 8th graders, and some board members support the eventual use of Westminster for grades five and six, with the existing middle school reserved for grades seven and eight.

The board voted 6-1 to pursue short-term, transitional use of Westminster as a 5th Grade Center and only if the funds become available to staff and operate the new school. Board vice president Audrey Mack, who said she supports development of Westminster as a new kindergarten through 8th grade school, voted against the 5th Grade Center proposal championed by board treasurer Jeff Kopolow and seconded by Stacy Washington, who took her new board seat earlier in the evening.

Following the vote, board member Ken Smith proposed that the board next month consider placing on the election ballot an increase in the district’s operating tax rate to, among other tasks, provide additional funds to operate the 5th Grade Center. He said the board needs to take action soon to get a tax hike proposition on either the November, 2011 or the April, 2012 election ballot. The board took no action on Smith’s proposal.

Under the 5th Grade Center concept, 5th grade classes would be eliminated from the district’s four elementary schools, and 5th graders would be consolidated at Westminster, 10900 Ladue Rd., after Westminster vacates the property.

Board President Sheri Glantz urged the board to support the 5th Grade Center concept while leaving open various options to deal with changing student demographics.

“I don’t feel we can make an ultimate decision,” said Glantz. “The thing about the 5th Grade Center is that it allows us flexibility…we will not be locking us into anything.”

In other action, the board approved by a vote of 6-1 a two-year night-time custodial contract with ABBCO Service Corp. The contract is intended to save the district approximately $500,000 each year.  Jason L. Buckner, assistant superintendent for business and finance, told the board that as many as 19 district custodians would lose their jobs. About 14 day-time custodians would be retained, he added.

“No one wants to make this decision, but we have to do it,” said Washington, who noted the district’s looming budget deficit.

The board also approved a new three-year agreement with bus provider First Student. Under that agreement, district payments to First Student would decline by 15 percent next school year with the elimination of some student shuttles between schools and other service reductions. District payments would be frozen in the second contract year and would rise one percent in the third year, Buckner said.

Washington and Andy Bresler replaced Bob Glik and Donna Smith on the board, which elected new officers:  Glantz, president; Mack, vice president; Jayne Langsam, secretary, and Kopolow, treasurer.