Before the regular board meeting, Brian Gabrial, the district officer of business and finance, reviewed the FY25 budget, focusing on the reduced levy rate. Property valuations for FY25 total $4.98 billion, reflecting a 3.46% increase compared to last year’s 9.44%. Gabrial highlighted that Westside’s levy rate of $1.0956 is lower than the average rate of $1.1197 in other districts.
Kris Karnes reported an increase in salary expenditures and a decrease in revenue, with the district receiving 97% of its allocated tax funds. The nutrition food service budget faced higher-than-usual costs due to repairs.
The board heard from students in the upcoming production of “Noises Off.” The show runs from Sept. 26 to 29, with tickets available online.
The board approved several measures, including a construction management risk position for Paddock and Rockbrook schools and a $1.44 million bid from Fluid Mechanical for the air handling unit replacement project. The board updated the district’s Title IX policy to align with new federal regulations and discussed eliminating a policy concerning confidentiality requirements due to redundancy. Meagan Van Gelder was approved as a candidate for the NASB board of directors.
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.
