[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6340111,"mediaKeyId","2260158-15055547e5fde0d11644bb501a05b6e9","parentId",2260158,"title","Waukee CFO outlines FY25 budget, projects $185 million maximum spending and steady district tax rate","audioSeconds",1986,"startMs",1133000,"endMs",3119000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260158-15055547e5fde0d11644bb501a05b6e9&start=1133&end=3119","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260158-15055547e5fde0d11644bb501a05b6e9/thumbnail_1133000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6340111/Iowa/Waukee-CFO-outlines-FY25-budget-projects-185-million-maximum-spending-and-steady-district-tax-rate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340111-d9d14449698901d172e044ffbcb4af96/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961143&Signature=jFXpoHyV908zNFDUDdFSJWYmeJGoAkB2Am~sdui-HeB3ZlxwV215S0mewP~zG2USXPmuwg-ZOmogJ9sJ7p4~0CDwhFm~RUxKHgFOnrp6uIPI7WBjLL2IQaRjcdba2j57fd6umEwt8q8feciiThIN47bHqdGizWqg-mjQS-Fsjw6yIvmDMK10pPYj4IWvrhZe0Y9mfZXT0wMK2svRYML1i8ZjmoRYPOGCImH-QCRDGnRp7RM7FZDhcgfXuNLaQHnymEyEhTcIGdGMlUXpgMYnnhYz3IVv1SJ0XiWIujIBBRPwTHRsmHnliwNNnlcO5l-4amhm2pMzY4usZdARP2cbWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Waukee Comm School District","date","2025-02-11T23:02:15.223Z","article","Sarah Enfield, the district’s chief financial officer, presented the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget to the Waukee Community School District Board of Directors, saying the district’s maximum general-fund spending authority is expected to be about $185 million and that the combined district cost for next year is about $148 million.

Enfield told the board the fiscal 2025 assumptions include a 2.5% supplemental state aid (SSA) increase, a certified enrollment of 13,674 students from the October 2023 count, and a district cost-per-pupil figure of $7,826 — a $191 increase year over year. She said the district will be educating roughly 520 students without corresponding funding in FY25, equivalent to about $4 million of unfunded instruction.

The presentation placed most FY25 spending in instruction (about 64% of general-fund expenditures) with building operations, debt service and other funds following. Enfield said general-fund revenue will come primarily from state aid and property taxes, with miscellaneous income of roughly $5 million (down from the current year largely because of expected lower interest income).

Enfield outlined several budget pressures: insurance-cost increases (she cited expected 15–20% rises in insurance and higher property replacement values), special-education deficits, wage competition in the local labor market, technology refreshes tied to the district’s 1-to-1 device program, and ongoing student growth that requires staffing for new buildings. She said the management fund will need a higher levy next year to rebuild fund balances used for insurance and other management items.

Board members asked about how property-tax rollback and equalization changes affected the district. Enfield said taxable valuations rose but the equalization (rollback) process limited taxable value growth for the district; she and other board members noted the district’s steady total levy rate near $17.80 per $1,000 for several years, while individual fund levies fluctuate. The board also discussed House File 718 and the Department of Management forms required for taxpayer notices.

Enfield reviewed timeline and next steps: a second public hearing and the budget adoption are scheduled for the board’s April 22 meeting, and all budget information must be filed with the county auditor by April 30 under the new deadline. She said additional legislative changes before adjournment could require a May budget amendment.

The presentation included additional details Enfield highlighted for the board: an ESA (education savings account) or voucher count of 270 for the current year, a net enrollment increase of 52 students since count day, projected solvency (cash reserves) of about $18 million (8.3%), and the district’s plan to increase solvency gradually in the coming years. Enfield said the district expects to issue general obligation bonds in July for the first tranche of the recently passed referendum and is monitoring interest rates for that issuance.

Board members praised the finance team’s work and asked clarifying questions about the mechanics of SSA, federal funding limitations for Waukee, and what reductions or changes might look like if revenue growth remains limited. Enfield said the district is not proposing program cuts for FY25 and is planning some additional teaching positions, but she warned that long-term low SSA increases could force future choices about class size, programming and staff workload.

Enfield concluded by reminding the board that while the district is growing in taxable value and enrollment (which blunts some immediate impacts), management choices — including levy allocations among funds — may need to shift if the legislature acts before adjournment. The board set the advertised public hearing for April 22 and will consider adoption afterward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","District School Board Meeting - 4/8/2024","oneSentenceSummary","Sarah Enfield, the district’s chief financial officer, presented the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget to the Waukee Community School District Board of Directors, saying the district’s maximum general-fund spending authority is expected to be about $185 million and that the combined district cost for next year is about $148 million.","taxTitle","Waukee Comm School District, School Districts, Iowa","taxId",14440,"location","Iowa","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6340100,"Northwest students present Tenth Street Times issue to board, ask district to publicize and accept donations",185,951000,1136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260158-15055547e5fde0d11644bb501a05b6e9&start=951&end=1136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260158-15055547e5fde0d11644bb501a05b6e9/thumbnail_951000.jpg","/articles/6340100/Iowa/Northwest-students-present-Tenth-Street-Times-issue-to-board-ask-district-to-publicize-and-accept-donations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340100-c4ac7a69653cd36d909dc98d7ce4e26b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961143&Signature=DPOdB2jL6Dt~w0gBXu2JUKtG28~Tql-yGJqdAMHO57yW6GdrtAy8~CoCKHYSWyHCXro~aKRd2WBZQM4wifD1l6KFiRh~DU-X2dXrbdToU6vtxW12SJpyRBz~qziiMB5p7iCWt-i1prvjXD1KUolyRbzYMvbWyafLkWSg5TJq5Po3udYWx5FOmpvXwjz3BPJyBSYgOrNW~cD7vLWXBEBV5b4ZNp5HR4UnGagv4FuYqgPsxbOefsgLkqw8sF9UP27RkOwIDSR1Rnj3U5wGi~aq~r0m34h~9nrBsjsv0EQZ6Z0UqrYLE40iIGqEqw2pZ~lBFelChGLcngBMG80mQo4UMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Avery Herman, a junior at Northwest High School, and Tyler Pittman, a senior at Northwest, addressed the board during the communications-from-the-public section to present the latest issue of the Tenth Street Times, the school’s student-produced magazine.

Herman and Pittman said the edition focuses on Women’s History Month and includes features on district foreign-language offerings and a profile of a local pet-rescue group; they named student reporters and encouraged board members and district staff to read the issue. The students said the publication was distributed to students and teachers and asked that the district publicize donation and involvement links; staff and board members directed the students to the district website donation tab or to email contact addresses if the online link is missing.

Board members thanked the students for their work and noted the publication reflects substantial student effort and editorial time. No formal board action was requested or taken.","Two student editors from Northwest High School, Avery Herman and Tyler Pittman, presented the latest edition of the Tenth Street Times to the board, highlighted stories on Women’s History Month and other features, and requested the district help publicize donation links and engagement options.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6340104,"Board approves multiple capital project awards, contracts and change orders including North Transportation and Operations projects",438,3664000,4102000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260158-15055547e5fde0d11644bb501a05b6e9&start=3664&end=4102","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260158-15055547e5fde0d11644bb501a05b6e9/thumbnail_3664000.jpg","/articles/6340104/Iowa/Board-approves-multiple-capital-project-awards-contracts-and-change-orders-including-North-Transportation-and-Operations-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340104-49fd3c8b84f0bd35c61eda62559f221a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961143&Signature=ggkgOiGYfsXB1eR-Iv6OzD29qEsA0I3NAn8ERxi7G9jQ-wEgjHYxqkUj~fwurzTqoQN92hWzq6RIIxCfEqjTu-8pQgvWOkDuerjqXakK9-rV2AJYRd8RTKElboh2oEmf9TkzHO274qTKNevf0iUEku61-hECDOclWShwi9rwlrQ-XuhxZkW0XiiLUU4eyvS76m2mMQ9wqxHfRM0l2F7vgLEbVzCGRXmlEEN8g~lilMD9kuHVJMSjkGsHrkg1Tds1v87ekTsUS0Ox8qUh3O3Tj2e2~f7xk9jvPbIBqU~xDlIxbebbZyo8mEkNZSp6zqgTTPgTQaGBaLhSPMBQE-Gktw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Waukee Community School District Board of Directors opened and closed public hearings on capital projects and approved multiple resolutions, awards and contract actions related to transportation, operations and facility projects.

During the capital projects portion of the meeting the board declared public hearings open for the Waukee Community School District North Transportation and Operations Public Improvement Plan project and for the North Transportation and Operations Facility project, heard that no written or oral comments had been received, and closed the hearings. The board then approved resolutions formally approving the plans, specifications and cost estimates for those projects, approved the awards of contract and approved the corresponding contracts as presented.

The board also tentatively approved the plans, specifications and estimate of total cost for the Waukee High School fine arts addition and renovation project and authorized posting a notice seeking competitive bids for that project. Board discussion reflected standard capital-planning steps; the motion to tentatively approve and seek bids passed by voice vote.

The board approved several construction change orders: a $226.46 credit (change order No. 1) for the Waukee Innovation and Learning Center addition, a $96,869.42 increase (change order No. 3) for the Waukee High School softball/baseball renovations (the increase was explained as necessary to repair rot discovered in dugout structures), and an $18,371.13 change order (No. 4) for Waterford Elementary new construction. Board members noted the softball dugout work was needed to finish the project in time for the season and discussed a future tour of the renovated athletic facilities.

All motions in this section were seconded and passed by voice vote; the meeting record shows “aye” and no recorded roll-call tallies for the votes. No additional public comment was received on these items at the hearings.","The Waukee board held public hearings and approved resolutions and contract awards for the North Transportation and Operations Public Improvement Plan and a related facility project, tentatively approved bid solicitation for a Waukee High School fine-arts addition and approved several change orders for district construction projects.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6340108,"Brookview Elementary to host ‘mini forest’ planting; community partners, Iowa State to help",537,531000,1068000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260158-15055547e5fde0d11644bb501a05b6e9&start=531&end=1068","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260158-15055547e5fde0d11644bb501a05b6e9/thumbnail_531000.jpg","/articles/6340108/Iowa/Brookview-Elementary-to-host-mini-forest-planting-community-partners-Iowa-State-to-help","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340108-b10db4298b48d3b82f45b64af6b4051c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961143&Signature=Sy91XteAVA6Kfb310fsP6-NEH79iYfJlQ~3PqWcopX2O2fvx8XQy2tLPs0j-BU0iIzZpvUI4OIdzg8JdqE6BUThz1MuXWCI-9SD2GLgwpFbbV6kjkNWtY9rAl7tfHPjvmmoNchNXVdHFJOiG1~ngS9wv2pM8LkRVEysfSkk2bETOZi54zTjP0ilnXTmjcT0HHs-cTJ6LzKA9rv-Xzp9mVpjpE3lI4GWxJgBmJlAhn3aeLx7pudWaGmC0an-lghfi-l-zGj2G79-cXkg8gRXrYZXMefl6u1DBo8dxqbfTM7rJ-IYVDK7BQ1eoTGjrtRjyMmM~Vv5b0fzuRbjDNU23kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Steph Angelina, principal at Brookview Elementary, and volunteer Walter Pearson presented a plan to the Waukee Community School District board to plant a mini forest on district property just south of Brookview, near Jordan Creek.

Angelina said the school is partnering with a community group and volunteers to install a densely planted native-tree area designed to grow rapidly and provide environmental education opportunities for students. Pearson described the mini forest concept, saying close spacing (about two feet apart) of many native species accelerates canopy and understory development; he said the project will include roughly 27 Iowa-native species such as redbuds and dogwoods and will be mulched and maintained for approximately three years until it becomes largely self-sustaining.

Pearson said the first on-site planting day with Brookview students is scheduled for May 3, with a public planting day on May 4 (rain dates discussed), and ongoing volunteer needs for weeding and maintenance through the summer and fall. He said the City of West Des Moines has donated the trees and that Waukee Apex is providing publicity and volunteer coordination; Iowa State University’s forestry department will assist with planting and offer research and lesson-plan support.

The project’s planned location is visible from the trail south of the shelter and will be available for outdoor lessons and community visits. Pearson encouraged the public to sign up via a volunteer-registration QR code he provided and said donations will be accepted. Board members praised the partnership and suggested the project could serve as a model for other schools if the initial planting and maintenance go well.

No formal board action was required; presenters asked only for help recruiting volunteers and for the board to note the partnership work with the city and Iowa State.","Brookview Elementary principal Steph Angelina and volunteer Walter Pearson described a community-led plan to plant a densely spaced native-species mini forest on district property south of Brookview in early May, with planting and volunteer opportunities and academic partnerships with Iowa State University and local groups.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Waukee CFO outlines FY25 budget, projects $185 million maximum spending and steady district tax rate

Northwest students present Tenth Street Times issue to board, ask district to publicize and accept donations

Board approves multiple capital project awards, contracts and change orders including North Transportation and Operations projects

Brookview Elementary to host ‘mini forest’ planting; community partners, Iowa State to help