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McFarland district staff survey finds pay and workload concerns; administration outlines multi-year instructional plan
Summary
A district staff survey with 62% participation highlighted pay, workload and desire for recognition as top staff concerns, while technology access and staff relationships scored highly. Administration said the findings will guide a three- to five-year professional-development plan tied to the district strategic plan.
District administrator Tarner presented results of an April staff survey to the McFarland School District board on Monday, saying the third-party survey achieved a 62% participation rate and showed staff cited compensation, healthy culture and working conditions among top job-satisfaction factors.
"The survey was in April and we had a 62% participation rate," Tarner told the board, summarizing the quantitative and comparative data the consultant provided. He said major strengths included access to technology, strong working relationships and clearer district communication since the recent referendum.
But Tarner emphasized recurring concerns. "Compensation and salaries are at the top of their list," he said, and noted workload and consistent discipline practices remain growth areas. Tarner said the data show mixed perceptions across staff groups and that some items improved from 2019 while others lag.
The board pressed for follow-up detail on workload drivers and what staff meant by excessive tasks. Board members asked whether the imbalance stems from family interactions, administrative expectations, or statutory duties; Tarner said the district plans targeted qualitative follow-ups such as stay interviews with staff, especially those from diverse backgrounds, to better understand retention barriers.
Administrators also tied the survey to the district's strategic plan update. The plan's pillars—educational excellence, family and community engagement, exceptional staff, and responsible resource allocation—will guide a multi-year professional-development rollout focused on access to grade-level content and clearer instructional philosophy, administrators said. The district expects to continue building leadership support and building-level analyses after forthcoming Forward exam results.
Other highlights shared with the board included health-services metrics and community partnerships: 21,696 health-office visits for the school year through May 28, 7,565 scheduled medication administrations, 1,597 managed student health conditions, and an immunization compliance rate reported at 99.2%.
Board members asked for more granular, building-level data and for a follow-up question set to pinpoint whether workload concerns are seasonal, role-specific, or related to communication practices. Administrators said building leadership teams will analyze results on June 11 and that the staff-survey themes will shape the district's next professional-development priorities.
The board did not take formal action on the survey presentation; members agreed to use the findings to inform upcoming planning work and to circulate survey comments to trustees for further review.
