The information below includes highlights from the Ladue Schools Board of Education Business Meeting on May 14, 2025–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 May 14 Business Meeting

Student and Staff Recognitions

• Ladue Horton Watkins High School juniors Madeline Awad, Nethmi Amarakone, and Nevinka Amarakone were all recognized for earning Congressional Award Gold Medals, which is the highest achievement for youth given by the United States Congress. The gold medals will be presented to them during an Annual Gold Medal Ceremony in Washington, D.C., in June.
• The Ladue Middle School Plant Protectors, about 30 students, under the leadership of Mrs. Karin Wallace, 7th grade ELA Teacher and Club Sponsor were also recognized as the Green Schools Quest Middle School Rookie Category Winner by Lesli Moylan, Co-Director of the Missouri Environmental Education Association, and Co-manager of the Show-Me Green Schools Suite of Programs. LMS, Mrs. Wallace, and students were presented with a check, a one-of-a-kind trophy made from recycled glass, and a certificate for their outstanding environmental work this year. 
• Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke and the Board of Education honored the Volunteers of the Year selected by each building and at the district level for demonstrating extraordinary voluntary service; they are as follows:
  • Ladue Early Childhood Center (LECC) - Natalie Shamus
  • Conway Elementary - Jenn Duncan
  • Old Bonhomme Elementary - Jennifer Tuttle
  • Reed Elementary - Kaitlin Mathes
  • Spoede School Turtles - Jessica Paik
  • Ladue Fifth Grade Center - Eric Collier
  • Ladue Middle School - Nanette Bell
  • Ladue Horton Watkins High School - Will Dempsey
  • Ladue School District - Andrea Bezzant
• Kara Moore, a math specialist at the Fifth Grade Center, received the district's Excellence in Education Award for May.

Board President Remarks

• Thank you to our schools, staff, students, families, Board of Education, and Ladue Schools community for all the hard work they’ve put into making the 2024-25 school year a successful one; well wishes on a restful summer! 

Superintendent Remarks

• Congratulations to Principal Dr. Tom Devitt and the students, staff, and community of Conway Elementary School for being recognized as one of only eight Missouri schools named a Missouri Gold Star School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)! 
• Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers and teachers for all they have done to make the 2024-25 school year a successful one. We enjoyed celebrating them a little more last week during Teacher Appreciation Week.
• Be on the lookout for the LINK newsletter at the end of June, which highlights the end of the 24-25 school year, graduation, and a lot more! 
• It’s a celebratory time of year, and it all culminates with graduation for our Class of 2025 on Sunday, May 18, at the Chaifetz Arena starting at 2 p.m.  

Below is an overview of action and information items from the agenda for the April 9, 2025, Board of Education business meeting. To view the agenda, updates, and presentations, visit the district’s website: Ladue Schools Diligent Community page. 

ACTION ITEMS

2025-26 Board Member Committee/School Assignments

The Board voted on the designation of Delegates and Alternates for MSBA, SSD Governing Council, EdPlus Legislative Liaison, Committee Reps, and School Liaison.

West Campus Field Reconfiguration Bids

The Board approved a capital fund transfer for the following project to begin this summer: West Campus baseball/softball field and tennis court renovations.

INFORMATION ITEMS

District Goal Update

Dr. Jim Wipke provided a Ladue Schools district goal update. 

Counseling Program and Social-Emotional Behavior Presentation

Dr. Tiffany Taylor-Johnson and the K-12 Counseling Team presented on the 2024-25 school year, progress towards goals, improvements, initiative updates, and next steps for 2025-26.

2025A Board Policy Updates

Dr. Macy, Dr. Helm, and Dr. Taylor-Johnson presented Board Policy updates. 

Roof Replacement for Old Bonhomme, FGC, LHWHS

Dr. Geoff Macy presented on bids for Roof Replacement on sections at Old Bonhomme, FGC, and LHWHS.

2025-26 Preliminary Budget Introduction and Financial Planning

Dr. Geoff Macy presented the Preliminary Budget for the 2025-26 school year.

2026-27 Academic Calendar

Dr. Laila Crabtree discussed the proposed 2026-27 District Calendar.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The next Board of Education will be on Wednesday, June 25, from 6–8 p.m. All information regarding that meeting will be posted on the homepage of the Ladue Schools Diligent Community page.