Jean Dugan and Emerson Smith will be sworn in as members of the Board of Education in April. Because two candidates filed for two positions, there was no contest and by state law, now election.

An active volunteer for the Webster Groves School District, Jean Dugan currently serves on the district's Legislative Committee, Strategic Planning Committee and Key Communicators group. She is also Freshman Activities Chair for the High School Parent Club. She was president of the Computer School PTO in 2002-03 and was involved with both the Hixson and Steger PTOs. She coordinated several Buzz Books, newsletters, book fairs and other events.

Jean and her husband Joe have two sons attending Webster Groves High School: Patrick is a senior and Brian is a freshman. The Dugans have lived in Webster Groves since 1997. 

Jean has undergraduate degrees in journalism and political science from the University of North Dakota and a master's degree in communications from Boston University. She works part-time teaching online communications classes for Columbia College. She previously worked as a public relations specialist for two area marketing firms and taught graduate-level classes at Webster University. Before moving to St. Louis, she was a consultant for the National Women's Political Caucus under Harriett Woods, press secretary for a U.S. Senator, and an editor for Knight-Ridder Newspapers.

Jean praises the past work of the Webster Groves School Board. "We are fortunate to have had strong leadership that believes in the mission of achieving academic and personal success for every student," Dugan says. "I am an advocate for students. Our children deserve and need a high-quality public education to live productive lives. At the same time, I want to represent all the residents of our district and make sure our tax dollars are spent wisely."

Dugan sees several challenges ahead for public education in Missouri and the Webster Groves School District in particular. Those challenges include inadequate state and federal funding, legal questions about local control and student transfers, and options to expand full-day kindergarten. "Some problems will require creative solutions," Dugan says. "That's why I hope parents, teachers and other concerned citizens will share their ideas with me. I promise to listen and to follow up on what I hear." 

Emerson Smith - who served one term that ended last year - will rejoin the board for another three-year term. He and his wife, Paula, have one child at the High School and one High School graduate. He is Vice President at the American Eagle/Anheuser-Busch Employees' Credit Union.

Smith has served as chairman of the Juvenile Conference Committee of St. Louis County and as a member of the Advisory Board for the Academy of Finance in the St. Louis Public School District. The academy offered students the opportunity to study accounting and develop leadership skills while learning about the financial services industry. He served as Vice President of the Webster Groves School District's Board of Education, a member of the district's Finance Advisory Committee and as a member of the Board of Adjustment for the city of Webster Groves. He is currently serving as a member of the Webster Community Arts Foundation Board of Directors.

"Strong leadership is more important now than ever, with the challenging issues facing our district today," he said. "I'm focused and committed to making sound decisions that will yield academic and personal success for our students.

"Having served on the board previously, I have the insight and experience to help the Webster Groves School District continue to move forward. Our community has much to be proud of, including an excellent curriculum, wonderful faculty and the many outstanding educational opportunities afforded children here. I consider it an honor and a privilege to serve on this district's board."

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Work on the new three-story wing on the north end of Webster Groves High School continues apace. The project, made possible by approval of a $36 million zero-tax-increase bond issue, is currently on time and under budget.  The 106,350 square foot addition will provide space for industrial technology, fine arts, social studies and science laboratories and classroom space. In addition, the bond issue is paying for renovations to the school's aging plumbing, electrical systems, roofing and structural systems. You can watch the progress of the construction by clicking on the Prop W link on the district web site.

The bond issue, named Proposition W, is addressings the first phase of renovations to the High School, in accord with a master plan developed by district staff, students, parents and community members. The plan calls for maintaining the building's classic exterior while bringing the interior into the 21st century.

Wight & Co. of Chicago, which designed the school's new gymnasium, is the architect for the addition and renovations. Wight specializes in renovating older buildings by upgrading interiors and remaining true to classic, exterior architecture.

The wing includes several "green" elements, including a solar panel that will provide energy and learning opportunities for students. Incorporating as many green elements as possible is a key component of the building's master plan. The addition will demonstrate how sustainable design principles can go beyond architectural elements and become part of a 21st century education program.

Some of the designs include:
A vegetated area on the roof to reduce environmental impact and provide an outdoor area for science experiments year-round

Solar panels connected to an instructional kiosk in the school's Science Department, which will provide energy consumption data for math and science classes. Physics teacher David Shuster suggested installing solar panels because of the teaching opportunities. Contractor S.M. Wilson agreed to install the solar panel at cost and the electric utility, Ameren, is giving the district a rebate for using the panels. It will be installed on the addition's roof, around the outdoor instructional area. The panel will come with a curriculum kiosk that will be installed in the science department, for use in various projects.

Rain gardens along the building perimeter and other practices to clean and cool rainwater run-off; water-efficient systems and fixtures, grey-water recycling and rainwater collection systems to conserve resources. Water-flow monitoring screens for learning opportunities. In addition, these practices demonstrate respect for the environment.

Digital lighting control, which will reduce energy consumption and teach conservation by example

Bike racks, carpool parking and transit maps, to encourage alternative transportation options and fitness

Ventilation that exceeds indoor air quality standards, CO2 monitoring and low-emitting materials use, which promote better health and higher student achievement

An array of educational displays, real-time and static, to promote the idea of sustainability and teach environmental stewardship to students.

Natural water retention habitat that will make possible a variety of instructional uses.

Sensor readings for heating and cooling efforts within the building for energy efficiency tDECADhat can be used in the classroom as well.

The first photo shows brick work on the addition's north wall; the second shows how the architecture mimics the style of Roberts Gym, with arched windows and peaked roof.

With a lead gift of $100,000 and more than $50,000 in additional contributions, the Arts and Science Campaign to outfit the new wing being built at Webster Groves High School is in full swing. The addition on the north side of the school, made possible by passage of a $36 million bond issue, will feature spacious, modern classrooms and laboratories. Opening the new building presented a wonderful opportunity to further strengthen and enhance the school's instructional program for science and the arts, since the 100,000-square-foot, three-story addition will house those departments as well as social studies and industrial technology.


A committee of alumni and current parents is conducting a $300,000 fundraising campaign to provide students  and staff updated tools and resources to go with the new classrooms and labs, which will be ready this fall. The campaign's lead gift of $100,000 came from the Jennifer Lynn Sprague Memorial Fund, which heretofore annually awarded a scholarship to a High School student. The fund was established to honor the memory of Jennifer Lynn Sprague, who died in an automobile accident.

Randy Sprague, a member of the campaign committee and Jennifer's father, said "Our daughter Jenny had a deep and abiding love of science and the arts. The fund that was formed in her name has supported 15 student scholarships for Webster Groves High School graduates over the years. However, the Arts and Science Campaign offered a unique opportunity. It gave the fund the chance to help not just one student a year, but rather all of the students who attend the High School for many years to come."

Sprague, an alumnus from the class of 1967, encouraged alumni to consider making a gift to the campaign. "A gift will make a difference in the educational experience for a very large number of children. I think that we as alumni know the quality of the education we received in Webster Groves. Now it's time to help the district continue to do that for future generations."

Beyond the $150,000 raised by the campaign,  the district has received $50,000 from alumna Barbara Fields Frick (class of 1956) to be used by the Industrial Technology Department. "The outstanding educational foundation and opportunities available to me at Webster High helped me achieve success in college, business and life. The extraordinary teachers provided not only education, but also living examples of competence, character and generosity. The wealth of extracurricular activities, sports, choir, debate, student council also enriched my life. I believe it is time to give back." She chose to donate to the Industrial Tech Department because she was impressed that the district values "hands-on experience." The High School is one of the few in the state to provide programs in woods and construction and automotive technology.

"Society needs engineers, inventors, mechanics, plumbers, electricians, carpenters and architects," said Frick. "It also needs homeowners who know how to unstop a sink and drivers who can change a tire." Industrial Tech, she said, provides opportunities for students to learn life skills and marketable skills.

Frick challenged alumni to "take a look at their lives. What have you built on the educational foundation you received at Webster? All of your donations, large and small, will provide this foundation for current and future students. We all value our education and this is an opportunity to give back. Some say our education system needs our help to meet the challenges of the 21st century. With our donations, we can make a difference."

An alumni concert was held in March to raise money for one particular instrument - a new piano for the music department. Forty years ago, students of renowned music teacher Esther Replogle honored her by presenting the school with a piano for the school auditorium.  The piano has served thousands of students well but currently needs major refurbishing. After much consideration, the department has decided that purchasing a new piano for the auditorium would be the best decision to benefit students. Proceeds from the concert, performed by choir and instrumental alumni, went toward buying a new piano.

The importance of both scientific literacy and the arts today cannot be overstated. Science gives students the tools needed to understand the world. Fine arts benefit intellectual and social development and help students understand the deeper forms of beauty. Some of the specific needs in the arts and science departments include updated  equipment that connects to computers for data processing and analysis; equipment for the study of electricity;  a portable greenhouse and weather station as well as a digital classroom for art and additional musical instruments.

If you are interested in helping WGHS continue to set the standard for excellence, please consider making a tax-deductible gift to the Arts and Science Campaign. You can send your check, made out to WGArtsSci, to the Alumni Department, Webster Groves High School, 100 Selma Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119.