During Monday’s Westside board of education meeting, district business and finance officer Brian Gabrial requested an additional $1 million to cover unforeseen expenses in the upcoming month. The request, anticipating actual costs between $600,000 and $700,000, was approved without discussion.
Later during the board meeting, board member Kris Karnes noted that new accounting practices and inflation contributed to the $740,000 deficit in food services. Despite these challenges, the general fund cash balance showed a $5.9 million increase from the previous year.
Also during the meeting, the board approved a contract for architectural and engineering services for the Underwood Hills project, and a policy was passed allowing students to repeat a grade at the request of their parents or guardians.
Discussions also focused on state funding changes, highlighting a modest 3.30% increase for Westside compared to more significant fluctuations in neighboring districts. Board members expressed concerns about the complexity of school finance reform and the impact of rising insurance costs.
Meeting documented by Marcus Chaffee
Read full meeting notes here
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Leah Wambui Keinama boasts a robust professional journey, commencing as a systems engineer and integrator within the software industry. In this capacity, she excelled in the conception, design, construction, and deployment of software systems, adeptly managing projects from inception to completion. Transitioning into the nonprofit realm, Leah directed her expertise towards enhancing food systems, with a particular emphasis on soil health, regenerative agriculture, and bolstering food accessibility while fostering resilient communities. Her repertoire includes comprehensive program design skills coupled with a profound commitment to community engagement. Leah's fervor for cultivating networks and forging meaningful connections underscores her dedication to advancing organizational goals.
