What to do with Westminster? Ladue School District begins decision process

Ladue School District officials have begun the process of deciding how it will use the property which currently houses . Ladue is building an Early Childhood Center on the site, as Westminster prepares to leave the property by next fall for a new campus in Town and Country.

School board members huddled with staff members Monday during a workshop to go over nine recommendations designed to maximize its use – with ideas ranging from conversion to a middle school to that of a K-8 International Baccalaureate Program site.

Superintendent Dr. Marsha Chappelow wants that list of possibilities cut to as many as four at the board's next meeting January 10."We will garner feedback from the community in the form of town hall meetings, and we will also meet with staff. It's expected the Board will make a decision during the February school board meeting." she said Monday.

School district officials said several variables were used in considering the proposals, including financial, academic and staffing considerations.  The projections were developed using current class size and programming initiatives.

The nine Westminster options, which are based upon a population of 400 students, are listed below:

•  a second district Middle School.
• Eighth grade Center
• Fifth grade Center
• K-8 International Baccalaureate Program
• K-6 site
• Elementary School (K-5)
• Kindergarten Center
• Ninth grade Center
• K-8 and 9-12 site

School officials  estimate the annual utility and operation costs for Westminster to be $500,000, including gas, electricity, insurance, supplies and maintenance.

Additionally, officials said all options presented included minor cosmetic renovations, such as upgrading the entrance and commons area, restrooms, sidewalks, and technology. Those changes would be funded via the Proposition O bond measure.

The proposals do not incude renovations done in 1960 to Westminster's West side, which could add as much as $1.5 million to the project to cover fire suppression and air conditioning costs.

Board members asked for more information about the ideas for a Fifth Grade Center and the potential for a K-8 site, but otherwise didn't indicate a preference for any proposals.