Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Climate topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Suffield survey shows overall favorable school climate but board flags middle‑school safety concerns
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Michelle Zawawi reported 1,012 student, 430 parent and 142 teacher survey responses showing generally favorable climate; board members noted 17% of middle‑school students say they do not feel safe and requested clearer communication about follow‑up actions and question wording.
Assistant Superintendent Michelle Zawawi presented the results of the district’s school climate survey on May 19. The district received 430 parent responses, 142 teacher responses and 1,012 student responses. Overall results were described as favorable; the presentation highlighted increases in favorable parent responses of between 2% and 14% at different schools and a rise at the high school to 71% of teachers saying faculty, staff and administrators work together to improve student outcomes (up from 44% in 2023).
Board members raised concerns about the middle school, where 17% of students reported they do not feel safe and where student and parent responses were less favorable compared with other schools. Members requested more communication that explains the actions the district will take as a result of the survey so participants understand the value of responding. They also encouraged reviewing question wording and moving to a 5‑point response scale for future surveys.
Superintendent Matthew Dunbar said some areas identified by the survey are already being addressed, including adjustments to class sizes at the middle school. He said he will review the Safe School Climate Policy with administrators, focus on unkind behavior, and communicate consequences going forward.
