[B]URLINGTON — The Burlington School District is launching a climate survey designed to build stronger relations among students, families, teachers and staff as part of its strategic plan.
The $11,000 online survey is available on the district website and can be filled out there until May 30.
District spokesman Russ Elek said employees, parents and students from Grade 3 through high school will be able to answer survey questions. Their answers will remain anonymous.
“The timing is right,” said School Board Chair Clare Wool.
The district’s strategic plan has identified school climate as a major subject for discussion. It also has been a key area of focus for Superintendent Yaw Obeng.
“We need all our stakeholders to contribute in helping us making things better,” said Obeng. “I hope each and every student, parent, and employee takes the survey so that we can gather the benchmarks needed in order to think critically and work with our community on the next steps in fostering a positive, inclusive climate that is a foundation of our strategic plan.”
District officials hope an improved school climate will help address such issues as disengaged students, lack of respect for cultural differences, bullying and teacher burnout.
The district held meetings during 2016-2017 to gather support for the strategic plan. Discussions at the gatherings centered on a variety of issues, ranging from equitable culture and climate to inclusive teaching and learning.
The National School Climate Center is working with the district on the survey, which is funded by a grant from the Bay & Paul Foundations, a New York City organization.
Questions are designed to measure such aspects of “school climate” as teaching and learning, leadership and professional relationships, and institutional environment. It won’t measure district leadership.
Integrated Arts Academy Principal Bobby Riley and Director of Equity Henri Sparks gave a presentation on the school climate survey to the School Board during last Tuesday’s meeting. Riley, Sparks and After-School Director Christy Gallese comprise the School Climate team.
The district also will work with multi-lingual liaisons so non-English speaking families can take the survey. The questionnaire is available in English and Spanish. “We want to make sure the survey is accessible to everyone, and that we hear everyone’s voices,” said Elek.
Parents with children in multiple schools have a choice of participating in more than one survey or in just one. District employees who have children in Burlington schools can also respond to the study both as a staff member and as a parent. Kiosks are available at each district building for staff to take the survey.
Survey findings will be given to the district in late summer or early fall and will be shared with the public at a later date.
