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Sachem board asks administration to draft community survey to guide budget priorities
Summary
Board members asked administration to draft a district-wide survey to gather representative public input on priorities before the budget season; members emphasized statistical validity, outreach to seniors and non-parent residents and the need for board review of the draft survey instrument.
Members of the Sachem Central School District board asked administration to draft a community survey to capture broader public input ahead of the budget season and to help prioritize potential cuts or investments.
Board member Jess described surveys as a way to gather stakeholder feedback beyond the vocal few: "I really think, you know, it's worth exploring the best way to get community feedback." Board members raised concerns about participation rates and statistical validity, urging outreach strategies that reach seniors and non-parents—members suggested website links, mailed postcards and paper surveys available at the budget hearing. Several members asked administration to draft a survey and return a proposed instrument for board review.
Why it matters: With a demographer’s report signaling possible budget pressure and past budget defeats in the district, members said they want a broader evidence base to guide decisions and to avoid relying solely on public comment nights or social media. Administration agreed to prepare draft language and distribution recommendations for board input.
Next steps: Administration will draft a survey instrument, propose outreach channels (web, mail, paper at hearings) and return to the board for edits prior to broad deployment; members asked for attention to sample representativeness and to provide paper options for seniors who may not have internet access.
