[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6110464,"mediaKeyId","2757770-741ca080777d125a8afd16793a456ba3","parentId",2757770,"title","Board holds first reading of updated policies including religious time-release and parents’ bill of rights","audioSeconds",67,"startMs",4054000,"endMs",4121000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2757770-741ca080777d125a8afd16793a456ba3&start=4054&end=4121","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2757770-741ca080777d125a8afd16793a456ba3/thumbnail_4054000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6110464/Ohio/Board-holds-first-reading-of-updated-policies-including-religious-time-release-and-parents-bill-of-rights","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110464-d6cafdd683fa1e187e35ae1d27dbfe44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179454&Signature=jInCpEoWw0BzAB1TfFARcHlRhC1kfaj-TEc1aRWRHHyIjZPtYSD6IT3VU~2tr3labjWFXKsSaskttB2JmuzV0eLV7qLqPfgxNEE1Cs~zgQdN7EDBsdIFQyQBu1dGa1Q6yCtM0V0Lf~f89f~E21AO5Za8pNv4lv~NEJatnsj15F29nLjb2DfDwTLMg~YngO7ustBbMdxNtUW99~64mHFirVCgUTRp84YvrwUt4QptghyeEXsQ3lljyUWDI17iNWayMxzWzIa6oPL7dq6BgFtsSsio2TpjBNrdqHC7JMwALlBRLOr3cBT2w69beJn97TNNNQWFFM-u8M6dw~KUyAUOLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Westlake School District","date","2025-03-25T06:47:59.55Z","article","Westlake City Schools board members held a first reading of multiple policy updates at the March 24 meeting, discussing language required by state law and local implementation options.

Board members said many of the proposed updates reflect statutory changes and clarifications rather than substantive local policy shifts. During discussion they highlighted two topics that drew particular attention: the religious time-release provision (permitting students to leave campus for religious instruction during the school day) and a newly required Parents’ Bill of Rights policy.

On religious time release, the board noted it selected an option that prohibits bringing back food, blankets or similar items to school and decided not to require district-conducted background checks for outside organizations overseeing released students; the board said responsibility for vetting those organizations rests with the outside group and with parents since students leave district supervision during the release period. Board members said they discussed limits to district liability and communications to families so parents understand the district is not vetting outside program providers.

Members thanked committee volunteers (identified in discussion as Barb and Liz) for substantial work on the policy revisions. The board indicated it will continue review and return to the policies for a future vote; no policies were adopted at this meeting.

Discussion items
- Religious time-release options and associated requirements (food/items restrictions, background-check responsibility placed on outside organizations).
- Parents’ Bill of Rights included among required updates; board members described the document as a detailed statutory read and noted the policy committee’s effort to align district language with state requirements.

No votes occurred on policy adoptions during the first reading; the board scheduled further review and public presentation before any final action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Westlake City School District Board of Education Regular Meeting March 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members reviewed policy updates required by state law and discussed options for religious time-release provisions and parental-rights language; no final votes were taken at first reading.","taxTitle","Westlake City Schools, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",70104,"location","Ohio","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},6110470,"Board approves treasurer and tax measures; accepts donations and personnel items",769,3124000,3893000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2757770-741ca080777d125a8afd16793a456ba3&start=3124&end=3893","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2757770-741ca080777d125a8afd16793a456ba3/thumbnail_3124000.jpg","/articles/6110470/Ohio/Board-approves-treasurer-and-tax-measures-accepts-donations-and-personnel-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110470-32d44ead1b2a08e0629d03c2e27a43b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179455&Signature=orVr9N1zr7wC2Z5q11MesNoB0aS7WKWM5rG9HpopjGuzXSdje9DAJ~U-VF1dkx4CKjQi7vu59t1na9Ip07X2QJsNgK5VJjx6W4BW1fn2j7qVhGSsFhlMm2GnAdLQVLQ5aQ4a3BCdr~Yz7icO7Vyk4UOZ86QiBk7twBaUkN1Kb9uH~V27tpz4xqAoyI4XOq0oFIELR7juGW1I5PE-NrR0ioDH-oxyOkZUAFR95kViBQFZWzV7VUuhlMkIxiAyK1~~Z6UyS0mJPYEClKPYyijasF5XEJQrCY3~0C30c-zlmCEfkrZYOBUs3Abkn00Y1aES5hIP1AX6NLOACgRF0Tbb3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westlake City Schools Board of Education on March 24 approved a package of financial and administrative measures, certified property-tax valuation challenges to the county, and accepted several donations to district programs.

Treasurer Todd Hopkins presented five consent items grouped under the treasurer’s recommendations. The board approved authorization to go to bid through the Ohio Schools Council for two 78-passenger buses (the district does not expect to purchase them in the current fiscal year), renewal/extension of the district’s master energy agreement with Power for Schools and its energy supplier NG Resources (Hopkins said the agreement lowers the per-kilowatt-hour price and represents a roughly 6.5% reduction from current rates), a contract with AED Vector to maintain the district’s automated external defibrillators, and a Cintas agreement for uniform and mop services. The board also approved setting classified substitute pay at the step 0 base rate for each job category (substitutes would not receive steps or contract stipends), a change Hopkins said is intended to make substitute pay competitive and reduce overtime costs.

Hopkins said a bus purchase cycle of roughly three buses per year has been typical for a 12–13 year replacement plan, and that conventional buses in recent bids ran about $118,000–$120,000 apiece while electric-bus price estimates cited in discussion were in the roughly $400,000 range plus charging infrastructure costs. He said the district faces capital pressures and noted the district has financed prior facility improvements; he suggested that a future PI levy could be considered to support long-term fleet and capital needs.

In a separate tax section the board approved ten resolutions to challenge property valuations for recent commercial sales that Hopkins said had not been fully reflected in current valuations. Hopkins said the property-review resolutions were prepared by the district attorney based on recent sales and will be certified to the board of revision for property valuation changes if the board’s motion stands.

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Goggin asked the board to accept multiple gifts and donations, including a $3,000 contribution from David and Mrs. Sidlowski to the Ally Sidlowski Memorial Scholarship Fund and a $1,000 donation from the William Corley Foundation of the Westlake Bay Village Rotary Club to the Best Buddies club at Westlake High School. The board approved grouped superintendent personnel and donation recommendations (items 7a–7j).

Votes at a glance
- Agenda approval: approved by roll call (motion carries).
- Minutes (Feb. 10) approval: approved by voice vote.
- Treasurer recommendations (items 5a–5f): approved by roll call.
- Tax matters (items 6a–6j): approved by roll call; ten commercial-property valuation challenges to be certified to the attorney and Board of Revision.
- Superintendent recommendations (items 7a–7j): donations and personnel items approved by roll call.

All motions described above were approved by the board during the March 24 meeting as recorded in the meeting minutes. No formal dissenting vote on these items was recorded on the meeting transcript.","At its March 24 meeting the Westlake City Schools board approved treasurer recommendations (energy agreement, substitute pay rates, procurement/bid authorization for buses, AED maintenance contract), certified tax valuation challenges for 10 commercial properties, and accepted donations and personnel items.",{"_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},6110475,"Westlake superintendent says district steady amid funding uncertainty; highlights safety, programs and partnerships",1843,142000,1985000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2757770-741ca080777d125a8afd16793a456ba3&start=142&end=1985","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2757770-741ca080777d125a8afd16793a456ba3/thumbnail_142000.jpg","/articles/6110475/Ohio/Westlake-superintendent-says-district-steady-amid-funding-uncertainty-highlights-safety-programs-and-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110475-4a67a22e36baa505c5f07b5132a529bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179455&Signature=cA4vb~c5iAeOoXOAux3vh6054t5RN1zBLpc78Mjo3B3NHOVidSPThuz7iOehZjpRJhbwJdqpj-mmoF-dCn5PaZ~A1qCSnKmdPbPPgbXUlN5TC8d~f5JlAl2iSO8OyPTGstN4PZiZx1iILqBIdf~yFn~YeOVnqlstECvT3ZwLz1BMCZuaGiGq4AKUrdb5Oaf4GQjz0555A2Bf7fnpKxxQxXVboUOZMGodsIhlCBZb3FBpH7MwN47UWUbhOBu4x3FnDhhvk23-EQP2S59oMMd64-Vf5P-MKNNcuIDAktHLkb~il398SRVSVsEQPzzdkyKOBO3rWNKVd2IKx8SovhODyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Westlake City Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Goggin delivered a State of the Schools presentation March 24, telling the district that it is positioned to continue operations despite federal and state funding uncertainty.

Goggin said federal grants provide roughly $2 million to $2.5 million annually to the district — listing Title I at $420,000, IDEA (special education) at $914,000 and free-and-reduced-price-meal reimbursements at $557,000 — while the district’s total annual budget is about $60 million. He said the district has not received any indications that those funds will be eliminated and that, operationally, federal grants are currently accessed and managed through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW). Goggin said that even if federal funding streams shift administratively, he expects little day-to-day impact on school operations and that special education services would continue.

At the state level, Goggin described greater risk. He said the governor’s budget proposal included a $560,000 increase for Westlake in the 2025–26 school year and a $510,000 increase in 2026–27 but cautioned those figures are proposals and the state budget must be finalized by the June 30 deadline. He also urged community advocacy for public education and implementation of the Fair School Funding formula.

Goggin highlighted a recent community partnership and several district priorities: University Hospitals committed to donating $500,000 over 10 years and to provide a combined 2.5 athletic trainers across high school and middle school campuses; the district is expanding career-technical offerings (welding and MEMS at Westshore consortium sites and a new forensic course at Westlake High School that he said already has about 120 students enrolled); and Dover campus schedule changes will add new tech-course choices and allow some music students to take programs five days per week.

On staffing, Goggin said the district is managing lower enrollment through planned attrition and internal reassignments; he reported 21 teachers are eligible to retire this year and at least eight more next year. He emphasized the district’s focus on maintaining class sizes, curriculum resources and implementation supports rather than immediate layoffs.

School safety measures include full-time school resource officers in each building, stop-arm cameras on buses and a threat-assessment team in every building. Goggin said the district applied for and has been awarded a $40,000 grant from Attorney General Dave Yost to buy a CenteGIC alert system (a staff-worn clicker to notify colleagues of medical concerns, altercations or events that could trigger a lockdown); he said the system will be deployed districtwide to teachers, aides and custodial staff pending implementation details.

Goggin also reviewed academic measures: Westlake received five stars on the state report card two years ago and 4.5 stars last year, a change he attributed to use of a different assessment tool and to shifts in report-card indicators (including possible changes to the early-literacy metric and pending changes to college/career readiness measures). He said the district continues to work on coherent assessment choices and literacy implementation, and is completing a new strategic plan with the Impact Group via focus groups and a live stakeholder survey.

Goggin closed by urging families to advocate at the state level for public education, reiterating the district’s operational readiness and its goal to “educate for excellence.”","Superintendent Dr. Goggin outlined district finances, federal/state funding exposure, staffing projections, program expansions and safety investments including a $40,000 Attorney General grant for a campus alert system.","actionData","errors"]

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Board holds first reading of updated policies including religious time-release and parents’ bill of rights

Board approves treasurer and tax measures; accepts donations and personnel items

Westlake superintendent says district steady amid funding uncertainty; highlights safety, programs and partnerships