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Student survey: many Auburn high school respondents say they do not plan to stay; parks and walkability top priorities
Summary
Committee heard results from middle- and high-school surveys showing 285 middle-school and 143 high-school respondents, strong interest in parks, trails and walkability, and that many high-school respondents reported they would not stay in Auburn. Committee members discussed what the results suggest for planning and future outreach.
Allie, a project staff member for the comprehensive plan, told the committee that 285 middle-school students and 143 high-school students completed the youth surveys and that the team converted open-ended answers into broad categories for analysis.
“The largest group represented in the survey are seventh graders followed by eighth graders,” Allie said, summarizing the middle-school sample, and adding that “for high schoolers … a larger percentage of ninth graders” responded. She reported that most student respondents said they had lived in Auburn more than 10 years and that adult rides were the most common mode of travel for both age groups; some students walked, biked, or — for older high-school respondents — drove themselves.
The surveys found differences in favorite places and priorities by age group. For middle-school respondents, the most-cited favorite place was “home,” followed by private recreation and retail; high-school respondents more often listed parks, trails and open space as their favorite places. When asked what they would change about Auburn, students most commonly cited improved infrastructure, more entertainment options and improved safety.
Allie said the majority of high-school respondents indicated they would not stay in Auburn after graduating. A follow-up clarification in the meeting made clear the figure discussed was 92 students, not 92 percent. Becky Conrad, a committee member who spoke during that clarification, said simply, “92 kids.”
Committee members pressed for context. John Cleveland, a committee member, said teenage responses about leaving are common but noted the figure is still useful when planning for future amenities and workforce retention. Becky Conrad and others said the survey results underscore a desire for more walkable, bikeable destinations and clustered amenities so that young people could more easily reach places they want to go.
Committee members noted limitations of the youth survey data and that interpretation should be cautious. Allie said full student responses and the detailed coding of open-ended answers are included in the meeting packet for committee review and that staff will use the results to inform upcoming visioning and outreach work.
The committee did not take formal action on the student-survey findings; members directed staff to use the results as input for a draft vision statement planned for an August workshop and for targeted engagement during summer visioning events.
