Dillinger Research and Applied Data presented Valley Central’s fall climate-and-culture survey results at the Dec. 8 Board of Education meeting, reporting improved perceptions of school culture and leadership but continued variance in communication and family awareness.

Nick Stellitano of Dillinger Research reviewed survey participation (about 501 staff and 2,500 students in fall, and roughly 176 family respondents) and explained the district’s move from a Panorama tool to a locally tailored survey. He summarized category scores that showed strong positive sentiment in educating students and school leadership, while communication and some district-leadership measures lagged at the high-school level.

Stellitano highlighted notable improvements: school culture’s positive-sentiment average rose from about 68% in the prior fall to 78% in 2025–26; student reports of loneliness fell and 163 students who reported loneliness asked to be contacted for supports. The consultant also flagged a drop in feeling connected to trusted adults at transition years such as ninth grade and recommended school-specific follow-up questions for the winter survey.

Board members asked for non-identifying themes in open-ended comments and raised questions about comparison baselines to national measures; the presenter cautioned against direct 'apples to apples' comparisons with other survey tools without mapping identical questions.

Next steps: The district will review data with principals, implement targeted questions for the winter survey to measure progress and continue a communications plan (monthly newsletters, website updates and outreach) to improve clarity and staff engagement.