Beacon City School District reviews survey of more than 700 respondents, outlines budget-driven priorities including a possible new middle-school schedule

A district staff member hosted a webinar to present results of a district survey completed by a little more than 700 respondents and to describe how that feedback is shaping the district's strategic-plan revision and budget priorities.

The staff member said the survey used the same questions as a 2022 survey and produced extensive open-ended feedback from students, parents and caregivers, teachers and staff. "We had a little bit over 700 respondents," the presenter said, adding that the team reviewed each answer and identified recurring trends.

District officials flagged academic programs, supports for struggling students, foreign-language instruction, and reduced screen time as among the top themes that emerged from parents and caregivers. Students’ responses emphasized more hands-on activities, additional arts and music options, and greater access to technology and language classes. Teachers and staff called for more time to implement new curriculum and more cohesion between grade levels.

Why it matters: the district plans to incorporate the survey findings into a revised strategic plan the staff member said the district expects to finalize by April. The presenter described a set of initiatives that are still being developed and that are dependent on the coming budget season.

Among the specific steps the presenter outlined were:

- A potential schedule change at Roundabout from an eight-period day to a nine-period day. "The thought right now would be to add, to switch it from an 8 period day to a 9 period day," the presenter said, explaining the change would let students who receive academic interventions avoid missing elective classes. The district estimated that implementing a nine-period day could require about 3 to 4 additional teachers.

- Additional K–8 academic intervention positions to support reading and math at the elementary level, which the presenter described as a budget initiative under active consideration.

- Summer program pilots at Beacon High School for incoming ninth graders, described as short (two- or three-day) experiences to help students transition to high school.

- Ongoing professional development and work to improve internal and family communications, plus a goal to launch a consolidated, regularly updated district calendar when the district's new website goes live this summer.

The district also plans a Panorama climate survey of students at Roundabout and Beacon High School; the presenter said the district is aiming to complete that by March to gather yearly data on student connectedness to peers and staff.

The presenter said the district will hold in-person meetings at each school between February and March to discuss possible changes and to solicit more community feedback. One formal presentation about the Roundabout schedule was suggested for a March board meeting if plans are sufficiently advanced.

Budget context: the presenter characterized the district as "slightly optimistic" about the coming budget season and noted the governor's proposal would add close to a 2% increase in foundation aid for the district. The presenter cautioned that the governor's proposal may change during negotiations and pointed to possible state- or federal-level funding uncertainties that could affect final allocations.

Ending: the presenter invited community members to follow up by email and said the recorded webinar will be posted on YouTube later in the week. The district plans to incorporate the survey findings into the strategic plan and to continue refining staffing, scheduling and program proposals through the upcoming budget cycle.