The information below includes highlights from the Ladue Schools Board of Education Business Meeting on March 9, 2026–this summary is an unofficial record. The official minutes of each Board meeting can be found on the district website under About Us/School Board/Diligent Community. Upon request, meeting minutes are also available for viewing at the Administrative Center following Board approval (typically two weeks after the meeting).

Video recording of the March 9 Business Meeting

Student and Staff recognition:

Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke, Board President Marissa Rosen, Director of Communications Kimberly McKenzie, and Conway Principal Dr. Thomas Devitt recognized six students for their recent success at the Academic Challenge Cup, held at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Presented by the Gifted Resource Council, the tournament saw eight Conway teams compete with distinction. Beyond their mathematical prowess, students were commended for their exemplary sportsmanship and for encouraging their teammates throughout the competition.

The district proudly recognized Koushik Puram (4th Grade), Melinda Liu (3rd Grade), Surya Sundaramoorthi (3rd Grade), Jack Tang (3rd Grade), Blen Tsegayge (3rd Grade), and Hank Weitzel (3rd Grade), who earned individual medals for placing among the top six high performers in their respective grade levels.

Congratulations to these young mathematicians on their impressive achievements!

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, Dr. Laila Crabtree, and Conway Principal, Dr. Thomas Devitt, recognized Conway Elementary 4th-grade teacher Kathryn Ward with March’s Excellence in Education Award, a monthly honor recognizing outstanding educators across Ladue Schools who go above and beyond to inspire, uplift, and make a lasting impact. 

Board President's Remarks

• Acknowledged Women’s History Month, expressing gratitude to the women across the district for their dedication to students and staff.
• Reminded the community of the upcoming School Board election on April 7, noting there are four candidates: Kisha Lee, Pablo Flinn, Peter Gariepy, and Tim Reboulet.
• Encouraged attendance at the Meet the Candidate Night on March 30, hosted by the League of Women Voters, to help residents become informed voters.
• Announced a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the West Campus Athletic Fields behind the Fifth Grade Center on March 24 to debut the new baseball fields, tennis courts, and campus renovations, which will also kick off the home baseball and tennis season.

Superintendent’s Remarks

• Reflected on the high energy of March as the district wraps up the third quarter and prepares for parent-teacher conferences, and thanked the Conway staff, who were in attendance, for their engagement in student growth conversations. 
• Provided a reminder that there is no school on Friday, March 13 (Conference Compensation Day) and that Spring Break will run from March 16 through March 20.
• Expressed gratitude to the Board and the 55 community members who attended the Legislative Forum on March 2 to discuss advocacy for public school success.
  • Provided a legislative update on three critical areas in Jefferson City: state budget and vouchers, property tax reform, and open enrollment.
  • Raised significant concerns regarding House Bill 2780; noted that if passed, the proposed levy changes combined with the senior tax freeze could result in a projected $8 million revenue loss for the district.
• Wished the Board members and Dr. Geoff Macy luck as they travel to Jefferson City on March 10 for MSBA Advocacy Day to support the district's fiscal health.
• Celebrated the Tiny Homes project for being featured in Sophisticated Living magazine; recognized instructor Bill Edwards and thanked the Ladue Education Foundation for their vital support of the program.

Below is an overview of action and information items from the agenda for the March 9, 2026, Board of Education business meeting. To view the agenda, updates, and presentations, visit the district’s website: Ladue Schools Diligent Community page.

ACTION ITEMS

2027-28 Academic Calendar

The Board approved the 2027-28 Academic Calendar.

2025E Policy Updates 

The Board approved policy updates pertaining to Instructional Materials and Media Centers, ensuring our libraries and resources remain high-quality and aligned with district values.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Conway Elementary School Presentation

Dr. Thomas Devitt and Dr. Thomas Hadfield presented a comprehensive update on Conway Elementary’s School Improvement Plan. 

Conway Turf 

Dr. Geoff Macy provided an update and proposals to replace the playing surface at Conway Elementary with specified turf.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Our next Board of Education meeting will be on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. All information regarding that meeting will be posted on the Ladue Schools Diligent Community homepage.