Treasurer Todd Hopkins presented a set of finance and appropriation actions to the Westlake City Schools Board of Education on June 27, asking the board to establish a new capital improvement fund, move funds into it, and approve a set of year-end and start-of-year financial measures.

Hopkins asked the board to establish an "070" capital improvement fund and to move $10,000,000 into that fund to execute the district’s capital improvement plan. "I am asking the board to move $10,000,000 into that fund," Hopkins told the board.

Hopkins also asked the board to authorize a not-to-exceed $275,000 construction contract for an interior brick-and-glass vestibule at Dover Intermediate School to create dual controlled entry. Hopkins described the design as matching security features used at other district buildings and said the district’s intent is to complete the vestibule before students arrive in August; he told the board the contractor’s schedule shows completion before the student start date and the district will direct staff around any construction work if needed.

Other recommendations Hopkins presented and the board approved by roll call included purchases of two replacement school buses (noting higher market prices and an added $2,500 per-bus tariff on imported parts), the district’s annual property and liability insurance package (approximately 10% higher than last year), transportation “deemed impractical” designations carried forward for certain schools, step-and-wage increases for exempt/administrative staff aligned with collective-bargaining increases, year-end appropriations to close the fiscal year, and temporary appropriations for the next fiscal year set at roughly 70% to allow operations through October 1.

The board approved the treasurer’s package (items 5a through 5l) by roll call; the motion carried with a unanimous recorded vote.

Ending: Hopkins thanked his finance staff for the year-end work and noted that some measures respond directly to items in House Bill 96; board members asked clarifying questions about timelines for the vestibule and about budget processes for next year.