District surveys show strong student ratings but dips in staff satisfaction; parents cite classroom supplies and transparency on levies

District leaders presented the district’s annual experience surveys and told the board on April 21 that student responses were especially strong while staff and some family measures showed room to improve.

Casey Blhoviaak of Student Education reviewed three surveys (students, families/caregivers and employees). The student survey placed the district in the 85th percentile nationally, with high marks for school leadership and learning environment. Family and caregiver responses held steady overall (mean ≈ 3.96 on a five‑point scale) but included concerns about classroom supplies and a small dip in net promoter measures. Staff results showed a decline in participation and a lower recommendation rate for the district as an employer.

During Q&A board members asked about survey methodology and a technical issue in which a small set of board‑related questions were briefly hidden during the open window; Student Education and district staff said they reviewed the impact and found the headline results were not materially changed, and the vendor made a transparent correction.

At a later study session the district also presented a separate, district‑run levy survey: resident families who responded ranked reduced class size and preserving programs as top priorities; non‑family residents were more likely to focus on transparency and tax impact. Board members noted the district sample skewed toward families with students and agreed outreach must expand to non‑family voters if the board seeks a levy.

Board members directed staff to use the survey findings to inform fiscal planning and public communication about priorities and levy language.