The West Allis-West Milwaukee School Board heard an update Wednesday on implementation of the district athletic strategic plan and survey results that show strengths in safety and operations but room to improve access to conditioning, community partnerships and consistent expectations across sports. The workshop included presentations from district athletics staff and athletic directors from Nathan Hale High School and West Allis Central High School.

The district presented accomplishments tied to the strategic plan, including new shared cardio and strength equipment at the district’s high schools and intermediate schools, an athletics operations manual, updated crowdfunding and overnight-trip processes, a pre-season facilities checklist and a new head coach job description and evaluation tool. "Our vision for athletics district wide is to be the preferred choice when people want to choose what district, what school, where am I going, and athletics is important to them," said Shelly, athletics staff member, during the presentation.

School Perceptions administered the first district athletic survey for student athletes and parents. According to presenters, the survey return rate was “great” for a first effort and respondents showed similar perceptions across the two high schools: respondents generally agreed that rules and expectations were clear and that events and facilities were safe. Areas identified for improvement across the district were access to conditioning in season and out of season, stronger partnerships with local youth organizations, businesses and alumni, and clearer, consistent expectations for athletes from sport to sport.

Presenters said the survey was intentionally aligned with the new head coach job description and evaluation tool so that end-of-season program surveys and coach evaluations share common categories, including program operations, administration, leadership, relationships and communications. The district also reported new partnerships to obtain better photography and media assets and an updated athletics web page intended to be a single access point for families and students.

Board members asked how the athletic work ties to academics and feeder programs. District leadership said athletic directors are being embedded in school administrative teams to help connect athletics with counselors and academic supports and that intermediate-school athletic staff are meeting monthly with high-school coaches to build continuity.

The presentation closed with staff saying the district will continue work on a "Portrait of an Athlete" to describe expectations and outcomes, and with plans for more routine end-of-season surveys and coach evaluations. The workshop concluded and the board recessed to an executive session addressing an unrelated legal matter.

Why it matters: The district is using the strategic plan to organize improvements that affect student safety, access to training spaces and how programs engage families and community partners. The survey results provide a baseline the district said it will use to measure future progress.