Page 317 - City of Westlake FY20 Budget

Section 8 Academic Funds
Executive Transmittal Letter

August 5, 2019

Honorable Board of Trustees,

I am pleased to present the Academic Budget for the 2019-2020 school year for your consideration. The
shared services teams for both our academic and municipal staff members worked together to prepare a
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comprehensive document, which will implement the changes passed during the 86 legislative session and
continue to provide an outstanding educational opportunity for our students.

On behalf of our entire community, I would like to thank the Board for the governance, leadership,
dedication, and support in making Westlake Academy a school that allows students to reach their highest
individual potential through our commitment to educational excellence!

I. INTRODUCTION

The budget reflects Westlake Academy’s continuing initiatives that support the vision, mission, and values
established by the governing board. We remain a school that is focused on the college readiness of our
students and also on helping them work toward being internationally minded and well-balanced, life-long
learners.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum builds upon each other to prepare students for post-
secondary success and life in our fast paced and knowledge rich world. As we see in multiple professions,
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and businesses, our graduates must compete on a global stage and will need specific 21 century skills to
be able to successfully navigate an ever-changing internationally minded marketplace. As such, alignment
to our vision, mission, and values is a key driver in our success. The proposed budget reflects the following:

 continued increases in student enrollment that are a result of the residential growth of the Town of
Westlake, and the success the Academy has had in preparing students for post-secondary
achievements,
 additional state revenue, expenditures for salaries, and retirement, which was mandated through
the approval of House Bill 3,
 an increase of $30,000 in Blacksmith Fund donations,
 an English teaching position, a new PYP Interventionist for Literacy, and an additional MYP
Counselor Position.

As with our previous budget submittals, the financial information has
been prepared according to conservative revenue projections and
expenditures that are targeted to create a learning environment for
student success. This document contains a high-level summary
showing proposed Academy budget numbers for SY 2019/2020.
Statistical data, summaries, and charts are intended to provide a
review of the proposed budget, which will provide both staff and
administration with a guidance tool for this year and a forecast for the
future.

The theme for the new school year is also in keeping with our
directives from the Board: IB for All: Building a Continuum of
Excellence

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