Survey gives guidance to school leaders

Curriculum, students, and staff received the most comments from a recent Lake Roosevelt School survey that was made available to patrons in the area.

The survey was taken to provide some guidance to a team of school district personnel and local residents who work together in developing information for a Strategic Plan that will shape school activity for the next few years.

The study team developing information for the school board met last Monday and Tuesday in the high school library.

Superintendent Paul Turner, who is in Washington D.C. at an impact aid conference, stated last week that he would assess the team’s work and present it to the board upon his return.

The district received 55 surveys back, and replies fell into three categories:

• Students: Respondents would like to see more opportunities for college-bound students and the same for career students. They also would like to see more “hands-on” engagement with students. There was strong support for the fine arts and for better writing skills.

• The whole child: Respondents were concerned about academics, behavior, student attendance, and social and emotional support. Several respondents said they thought students should be more consistent.

• Staff: Those returning surveys commented on the need to hire highly qualified teachers and then retain them. They also suggested the district provide ongoing professional development support. Smaller class size comments were on several survey returns.

On strengths of the district, several listed the new facilities and the need to finish with a new gym and athletic field improvements.

Many made comments that the staff was very caring and committed to good, quality education.

Now the school will take these comments, and those coming out of the two-day team meeting, and develop the district’s long-range Strategic Plan.