Dec. 10: Westside Board of Education tackles policy updates and reports

The Westside Board of Education held its final meeting at the high school on Monday night, addressing a full agenda of financial updates, curriculum highlights, and policy changes as they prepare to transition to the ABC building for future sessions. 

Among the most pressing discussions was the treasurer’s report, which outlined financial challenges, including delayed state aid payments that created a $3 million shortfall in November. Despite the setback, the general fund balance remained $400,000 higher than last year, while efforts to stabilize the nutrition services budget showed progress, with increased revenues and reduced expenses offsetting a $66,000 deficit. The board approved $19.3 million in expenditures without objections.

Westside Middle School teacher Lance Mosier presented his interactive eighth-grade American history curriculum. Students engage with foundational events and concepts, such as the Constitution and Bill of Rights, through creative projects like simulations and role-playing. Board members praised the curriculum’s ambition and effectiveness in fostering civic understanding, despite its complexity for younger learners.

Policy discussions included revisions to meeting notification procedures to align with new state laws. The updates integrate the Nebraska Public Notices website to ensure transparency. Elizabeth Power presented a strategic communications report, highlighting a 96.9% staff satisfaction rate and the district’s adaptation to millennial parents’ social media preferences. The report underscored the importance of clear, concise, and accessible communication, particularly on platforms like Facebook and TikTok, which continue to dominate as sources of information.

Meeting documented by Zara Valentine

Read full meeting notes here

By Omaha Documenters

Omaha Documenters is a program that empowers citizens to actively participate in local governance by documenting public meetings. This initiative enhances transparency and accountability by making critical information accessible to the community, fostering informed public discourse, and promoting civic engagement. Through its network of dedicated Documenters, the program bridges the gap between government entities and the public, ensuring that decisions affecting the community are transparent and inclusive. For more information and to get involved, visit documenters.org.

By Leah Keinama

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.

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