Ladue Middle School Principal Retiring

There is more turnover in the leadership ranks at the Ladue School District. 

After one year with the district and the school, Middle School Principal Vicki VanLaere has announced her retirement. An "e-alert" went out to the school community Friday afternoon.

Assistant Principal Greg Baber will serve as Ladue Middle School's Interim Principal for 2013-2014. Another assistant principal, Tiffany Taylor-Johnson, will move to associate principal.

Assistant Principal Julie Helm was already scheduled to leave the school to become principal at the district's new Fifth Grade Center in Creve Coeur. Her position will be replaced and the district will also hire a one-year assistant principal intern.

The e-alert pointed out that the school would have the same number of administrators next year as it currently does.

In a brief letter of resignation confirming her decision, Dr. VanLaere wrote, "Thank you for allowing me to be a part of such an amazing school community."

VanLaere came to Ladue from an administrative post in the Mehlville School District. This year has seen a pair of high profile incidents at the school.

A student was able to access an online chat room where the student saw someone perform a sex act. In addition, the creation of an Instagram account that bullied students and another that invoked the face of the Newtown (CT) school shooter led to increased scrutiny over district attempts to promote technology at the high school level.

Susan Dielmann, the district spokesperson, and Dr. Donna Jahnke,  Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning who will become the district's next Superintendent July 1, said there is no connection between the incidents and VanLaere's decision to retire. 

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story indicated that interviews for the school's assistant principal positions would begin next week. The district intends to begin interviews for a pair of Assistant Superintendent positions at that time. The district also released Dr. VanLaere's resignation letter late Friday afternoon. Patch apologizes for any confusion.