Dr. Goggin, Westlake City School District’s superintendent, used his Sept. 22 report to highlight fall activities and new academic programming and to describe a new district communications product.

“We are already at homecoming week,” Dr. Goggin said, noting spirit days, a parade and other events at Westlake High School. He told the board the district is emphasizing hands‑on STEM in elementary grades and has restarted tech education and Project Lead The Way offerings this year: "they've really put a focus on getting hands on things for kids ... building on that and actually being able to do the hands‑on component." A board member asked whether volunteers would be welcomed for Lego‑based activities; Dr. Goggin said the academic services team is leading the work and that it “looks like a lot of fun.”

The superintendent also said the district distributed a new newsletter, "Behind the W," to households over the weekend to give families an inside look at schools and to include financial information about the district. "Our goal ... is to open the doors of our schools in order for our community to be able to see what's behind the W," he said.

On routine business, the board approved the superintendent’s recommendations in a bundle that included acceptance of monetary and in‑kind donations (an anonymous $3,000 donation to athletics; school supplies and other gifts), extra‑duty contracts, hiring changes, an employment contract for Project Link and approval of an overnight field trip for Science Olympiad participants. The board recorded roll calls that resulted in approval of the superintendent packet.

Why this matters: The expansions in hands‑on STEM and the launch of the newsletter are part of the district’s broader strategy to increase family engagement and highlight student learning, Dr. Goggin said. The overnight Science Olympiad trip and Project Link approvals were routine personnel and activity approvals that allow district programs to proceed.

No disciplinary or personnel controversies were raised during the approvals.