District launches strategic-planning surveys; parent response so far low, in-person stakeholder meetings set for late March

Superintendent Dr. Burjak told the board that the district's strategic-planning process has begun and that parent and staff surveys were distributed last week.

As of the Feb. 25 meeting the administration had received 237 parent responses and 71 staff responses. The superintendent estimated the parent responses represent a little over 10% of households (district household estimate given as 2,043) and staff responses are roughly 20% of employees. Administration plans to send reminders to increase participation and to hold in-person stakeholder meetings March 25 at North Hunterdon and March 27 at Voorhees, both at 6 p.m.

The district also plans student focus groups during the school day and convened external consultants to manage the strategic-planning process. The board discussed survey delivery options and noted email invitations typically yield higher response rates than posting a link on the district website. The superintendent said the district will add survey information to school home pages and to Aspen where appropriate.

Separately, superintendent and the board discussed the district's harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) report: two incidents were reported for the month, one found and one unfounded; the board moved to affirm the administration's determinations.