Climate Survey

1. Climate Survey Results and analysis Comparing 2012 & 2013

2. Overview • In May and June of 2012 and June and July 2013, parents and community members were invited to participate in a survey about the school district. Respondents were given the opportunity to provide their thoughts, opinions and ideas for improving the quality of education provided by Joint School District No. 2 in Idaho. • The following report provides a district-level overview of survey results. Due to the low number of community members who participated in the survey, parents and community members are not presented separately.

3. Participation 2012 2013

4. Participation Composition How many children do you have attending school in Joint School District No. 2? 2012 2013

5. Participant Composition Are you a graduate of this school district? 2012 2013

6. Participant Composition How many years has it been since you graduated from high school? 2012 2013

7. Overall Ratings Based on how well we are educating students, what overall rating do you give the school district this year? 2012 2013

8. Importance of School Quality As a resident and taxpayer in this community, how strongly do you agree with the following statements? 2012 2013

9. Central Office How familiar are you with the ways the Central Office supports all schools in our district? 2012 2013

10. Central Office Within the past year, have you needed to contact the district’s Central Office? 2012 2013

11. Central Office When you have needed to speak to a Central Office staff member… 2012 2013

12. District Decisions Survey participants were informed of the following district decisions. 2012 2013 To propose a supplemental levy that restored nine school days in next year's school calendar To use Plant Facility Levy funds to proceed with plans to renovate Meridian High School To use Plant Facility Funds to continue the construction of Willow Creek Elementary in order to allow the school to open in fall 2013 (Willow Creek Elementary is located in the Lochsa Falls Subdivision; the school site is located just south of Chinden) • To propose a supplemental levy that will restore nine school days in next year's school calendar • To use Plant Facility Levy funds to proceed with plans to renovate Meridian High School • To use Plant Facility Funds to continue the construction of Willow Creek Elementary in order to allow the school to open in fall 2013 (Willow Creek Elementary is located in the Lochsa Falls Subdivision; the school site is located just south of Chinden)

13. District Decisions Are you aware that these decisions were made? 2012 2013

14. District Decisions With regard to these decisions? 2012 2013

15. District Budget How familiar are you with the school district’s budget? 2012 2013

16. District Budget The current funding level is adequate to meet this community’s education needs. 2012 2013

17. Community Relations 2012 2013

18. Food Services How often does your child eat school lunch? 2012 2013

19. Food Services 2012 2013

20. Bus Service How often does your child or children ride the bus to and from school? 2012 2013

21. Bus Service 2012 2013

22. School Operations 2012 2013

23. School Operations 2012 2013

24. Information Sources 2012 2013

25. Event Attendance Please indicate the number of times you have attended each of the following events during the past year. 2012 2013

26. Themes from Open-Ended Responses 2012 2013 Tell us what we need to do to get a better rating from you next year. Many parents thought classes sizes should be smaller. Many respondents felt that there was too much focus on testing and that schools spend to much time preparing for standardized testing. Many parents expressed concerns about the curriculum meeting the needs of high achieving or low achieving students. Many respondents requested better communication from schools and teachers to parents. Tell us what we need to do to get a better rating from you next year. • Many parents felt there should be more school days added to the school year. • Many parents thought that a lot of time was wasted during the school year, especially towards the end of the year. • Many respondents felt that there was too much focus on standardized testing and that schools were just teaching to the test. • Many parents thought there should be smaller class sizes, or more teacher assistants to provide more individualized attention for students.

27. Themes from Open-Ended Responses 2012 2013 Comments on customer service in the food service program Many respondents were complimentary of food service, some mentioning that the staff was always friendly and even remembered student names and food preferences. Many parents requested a better notification system for low account balances. Some specifically suggested notification emails. Many respondents described staff as rude, unapproachable and unprofessional. Many parents stated that the lunch lines were so long that the cafeteria ran out of food and the students did not have enough time to eat the food they received. Many parents requested that the meals be more substantial and nutritious. Comments on customer service in the food service program • Many respondents had very positive things to say about the customer service of the lunch staff, mentioning that they were friendly and helpful. • Many parents stated that they needed notification that their child‘s account was running low instead of when the account was completely empty since it meant their children went a day without eating (even for overage amounts as trivial as a few cents). • Many respondents mentioned that the staff was rude and curt to students and parents alike. • Many parents stated that the lunch lines were so long that the cafeteria ran out of food and the students did not have enough time to eat the food they received. • In general, there was a desire for more nutritious lunch food to be provided at their child’s school.

28. Themes from Open-Ended Responses 2012 2013 Comments about the quality of food Some parents were satisfied with the quality of food served at their child’s school and were grateful for an increase in healthier options. Many parents stated that food is unhealthy, bland and subpar—and as a result their kids prefer to bring their own lunch. Several parents requested that vegetarian students or students with food allergies be given more options. Many parents felt the variety of processed, high sodium, sugary options are creating poor eating habits, and that the lunch hour should be treated as a educational opportunity in nutrition. Comments about the quality of food • Many parents called for the processed and frozen food to be replaced with healthier and fresher options. • Many parents felt the quality of food is unhealthy so they have their children bring a lunch from home to avoid the school food. • Many parents felt that the portions of food were too small and complained that their children were still hungry after lunch. • A few parents were satisfied with the quality of food served at their child’s school.

29. Themes from Open-Ended Responses 2012 2013 Please indicate any areas where food service may improve for the 2012-2013 school year. Many parents stated that the district needed to improve methods for low account balance notifications. Refusing a student lunch should not occur. Many parents called for an increase in fresh, nutritious options and decrease in processed, non-nutritious options. Many parents thought the lunches were not substantial enough and their children were still hungry after lunch. Many parents mentioned that lunch rooms are overcrowded, lines are long and slow and they regularly run out of food. Students often do not have time or space to get and eat lunch. Please indicate any areas where food service may improve for the 2012-2013 school year. • Most respondents called for healthier food options such as fresh and local fruits and vegetables, better quality protein sources, etc. • Many parents thought that the portions given by the school were too small to leave the kids satisfied and they were too expensive for the amount of food given. • Many parents complained that there wasn't enough time for their child to go through the lunch line and eat the food they received. • Many parents mentioned that the cafeteria ran out of food, resulting in many children going hungry for the day.

30. Themes from Open-Ended Responses 2012 2013 Comments about the efficiency or safety of the bus service provided by the district Several parents sited bus drivers as indifferent to the code conduct on their bus. Several parents stated that their student’s bus driver needed to work better with the students on the bus. Examples cited included the driver frequently yelling at the students. Many parents complained that the some bus stop locations were unsafe due to distance from home and proximity to busy main roads. Many parents thought that if a family decided to send their student(s) to a school other than their normally-districted one, the family should be responsible for transportation or be charged a fee. Comments about the efficiency or safety of the bus service provided by the district • Many parents complained that the new bus stop locations were unsafe due to busy main roads, locations near sex offenders' houses, etc. • Many parents thought that if a family decided to send their child(ren) to a school other than their normally-districted one, the family should be responsible for transportation or be charged a fee. • Many parents found the "walking distance" boundary too far away to be safe for children, particularly elementary students. • Many parents felt the bus environment was unsafe due to bullying, drugs and violence, so they did not send their child to school on the bus.

31. Themes from Open-Ended Responses 2012 2013 Comments about the cleanliness or maintenance of the district's schools Several parents requested that the bathrooms in elementary schools be cleaned better. It was specifically noted that paper towel/toilet paper supply frequently ran low. Many respondents were complimentary of the janitorial staff, mentioning that they are very courteous at school events. Many parents felt that the landscaping was not a focus for maintenance and believe that it should be. Many parents requested that older schools have more maintenance resources available to them. Comments about the cleanliness or maintenance of the district's schools • Many parents felt that their child's particular school was well-maintained and clean, but many said they could not comment on the state of other schools. • Many respondents thought that the older schools in the district need to be updated and that the custodial staff was doing the best they could with what they were given. • Many respondents mentioned that Lake Hazel Middle School and Meridian High School specifically need to be updated. • Many parents felt that the landscaping was not a focus for maintenance and argued that it should be.

32. Themes from Open-Ended Responses 2012 2013 Comments about the school calendar or school start times Most parents thought that the late start Wednesdays were a waste of time and were inconvenient. Most parents thought the school year should start after Labor Day and end before Memorial Day. Some parents suggested moving to a 4-day week schedule to save the district money. Many parents thought that elementary schools started too late and ended too late, while the high schools and middle schools started too early for health and safety reasons. Most respondents specifically mentioned that they want two full weeks off at Christmas. Comments about the school calendar or school start times • Most parents thought that the late start Wednesdays were a waste of time and were inconvenient. • Most parents thought the school year should start after Labor Day and end before Memorial Day. • Many parents were angry about the shortened winter break because they wanted two weeks instead of one week. • Most parents thought that elementary schools started too late and ended too late, while the high schools and middle schools started too early for health and safety reasons. • There was an equal representation of parents who approved of the additional nine days at the end of the school year and those who did not.

33. Themes from Open-Ended Responses 2012 2013 If you get information about the school district from other sources not listed above, please tell us where. Many parents mentioned that the school websites were hard to navigate and not up-to-date. Many parents mentioned that they appreciated when they received regular informative emails from their student's teacher. Many parents cited that when a newsletter is made, it is a great source of information, ut several complained that they never received one all year. Many respondents cited the teachers' websites as very helpful and informative to keep track of their students classwork. If you get information about the school district from other sources not listed above, please tell us where. • Many parents mentioned that the individual schools' websites were not up to date with school-specific information. • Many parents mentioned that they received informative emails or emailed newsletters from their student's teacher. • Many parents cited their school's newsletter as a great source of information. • Many parents cited the teachers' websites as very informative for assignments, due dates and calendars.