Westlake board approves district strategic plan and a districtwide Hudl contract

The Westlake City Schools Board of Education voted Aug. 11 to adopt the district's strategic plan and to approve a districtwide contract with Hudl, the athletics video service, as part of a package of superintendent recommendations. The strategic plan vote passed on a roll call after a motion by Board Member Jeff Kraft and second by Board Member Lamb. The Hudl contract was described in board discussion as a single contract covering multiple sports programs; board members said the district's contribution would cover volleyball, basketball and football while one program (soccer) had contributed separately. The plan and contract were presented by Superintendent Dr. Guy, who told the board the strategic plan reflects feedback from stakeholders including families, staff and students and was adjusted after a prior work session. Dr. Guy said Hudl is widely used across districts and that the software and camera packages can be used by coaches for film-review and by student-athletes assembling materials for college recruitment. Board discussion noted that one sport program had paid $3,000 toward its camera package while the district's portion was described as about $13,000 to cover other sports; the board approved the consolidated contract so all covered teams use the same system. The superintendent also presented routine personnel and supplemental-pay items, including seasonal summer employment, additional stipend positions and an extended-time pay correction for an employee omitted from a prior agenda; the board approved those items in the same motion or immediately following votes. The board recorded the approvals by roll call; members voting in the affirmative during the recorded roll calls included Lisinski, Penderkin, Graff, Lamb, Kraft and other members present. No members recorded a no vote during the motions presented on the superintendent's recommendations. The approvals finalize district-level decisions the board had discussed in prior work sessions and allow the superintendent and staff to implement the strategic plan and execute the Hudl contract and the personnel payments. Board members said they would move forward on the items immediately so staff can complete contracting and payroll steps before the start of the school year.