At the June 30 school board meeting, Assistant Administrator Jessica Williams gave a report updating results from a district wide survey. Of the 1,493 responses so far, almost 79 percent of parents surveyed said they had concerns about their children returning to school this fall.
The survey, which appears on the district’s website, asked parents to answer questions regarding the upcoming 2020-2021 school year.
Williams said that the surveys were vital in helping the district devise a plan for the new school year. Hard copies of the survey are available at the district office.
Other results included:
• 42 percent said they preferred online classes taught by district teachers, while 31 percent said they preferred blended learning with online instruction on some days and in person on others. Only 26 percent said the kids should return to school.
• 63 percent said they would prefer children attending school on staggered days such as Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 36 percent disagreed.
• The response was almost half and half when asked if staggered hours were preferable such as some children attending 8-11 a.m. and noon-3 p.m. 53 percent said “yes” and almost 47 percent said “no.”
• 50 percent said they would have access to day care, while 50 percent said they would not. Accessible and affordable day care could certainly pose problems for many parents.
• 74.9 percent said that teachers and staff should be required to wear gloves, masks or face shields while in school.
• 67.8 percent of parents said that children should also be required to wear protective coverings as well.
• 63 percent said that regular sanitation of buses and seating siblings together when possible would be sufficient for bus riders.
• 92.6 percent of parents said they have internet access available at their homes.
• 71.9 percent have either a tablet, computer or laptop available for their children.
• 40.2 percent of parents surveyed said they would attend an online training class with a live facilitator to help their child use the online learning system.
• 31.4 percent said they would be willing to watch an online video instruction on how to use the system.
• 17 percent said they would like to attend in person training on how to use the system.
• 10 percent said they were not interested in training on how to use the system.
Williams hopes to continue to hear from every parent in the district.
“Please note that the survey is still active on the district’s website, and hard copies will be available beginning the week of July 6. We are asking parents who have not completed a survey to assist us by completing one. Parental feedback is very important as we continue to plan for the 2020-20201 school year,” said Williams.
