Bullhead City board reviews Panorama survey; members flag low student response and safety concerns

The Bullhead City School Board examined spring Panorama survey results during a May 15 workshop, focusing on student, staff and parent responses about safety and wellbeing.

Administrators presented an aggregated student safety score of 51 percent for grades shown (3–5) and noted specific items that drive the overall result, including an item asking how often students worry about violence at school. The presenters said about 19 percent of respondents indicated worrying about violence, while another item measuring online bullying produced markedly different patterns across age groups.

Superintendent Dr. Stewart and staff emphasized the survey’s limited sample: roughly 250–270 students completed the instrument districtwide because Arizona rules require parental opt‑in for student participation. The board and presenters agreed the opt‑in requirement and small subsample at some schools make districtwide averages less reliable and increase the risk of response bias. Administrators said staff surveys had a much higher response rate (about 150 certified staff) and generally showed more positive wellbeing indicators.

Board members asked staff to provide school‑level breakdowns so the district can better distinguish whether students feel unsafe because of interactions with peers inside the school or because of external threats. Board members also discussed using the results to direct safety and engagement work and to inform grant applications that rely on survey data.

The board directed administration to provide more granular data and follow‑up analysis before making programmatic decisions based on the Panorama snapshots.