© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved OSBA leads the way to educational excellence by serving Ohio’s public school board members and the diverse districts they represent through superior service, unwavering advocacy and creative solutions. South Range Local Schools Community Survey Report Administered by the Ohio School Boards Association Wednesday, September 14, 2016

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Survey window: Wednesday, August 10 th through Friday, September 2 nd Total respondents: 252 Responses where every question was answered: 143

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Based on approximately 2,600 separate residences within the district IP Addresses: Two were reviewed. One had 10 responses; the other 5. One was a school IP address; the other an internet provider. 252 responses: 6% Margin of Error. 3% is good but 6% is not bad.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q1: Please tell us about your current affiliation with the South Range Local Schools (check all that apply) (252 answered; 0 skipped, some gave more than one answer): 15.48% employed by the district 60.32% have children in the district 2.78% current students 45.24% community members

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved What this said to us:  Those currently connected to your schools (students, staff, parents) comprised three-fourths of those who responded.  Those who identify as “community members” comprised approximately half your respondents.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q2: Employees — Please state your level of agreement with the following statements (strongly agree, agree, neither agree or disagree, disagree or strongly disagree ) (27 out of 39 employees answered):

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved What this said to us:  Staff are overwhelmingly positive about being associated with the district.  Overall, staff are very positive about administrators, the board of education, teachers and support staff.  Nearly ¾ of employees who answered the survey also chose to answer this question.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q3: Employees — Please state your level of agreement with the following statements (strongly agree, agree, neither agree or disagree, disagree or strongly disagree ) (27 out of 39 employees answered):

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved What this said to us:  Again, very positive and powerful results across the board.  Slight drop off on the ‘college preparation’ question.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q4: Employees, students and parents — Please state your level of agreement with the following statements (152 answered, 100 skipped):

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved What this said to us:  While positive overall, these themes may need some closer attention.  More people disagreed than agreed that the district is fair in making discipline decisions that are fair and accountable to all.  Staff and others feel safe and secure in the buildings. This is not an area of concern.  Just less than or just over 50% of respondents were “very positive” or “positive” about the way the district manages discipline and bullying.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q5 was a “throwaway” question — it was needed to direct respondents down the right chain of logic for the questions that followed. Q5 was a repeat of Q1.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q6: Parents and residents — As a parent and/or resident, please think overall about your experiences when you’ve had communications with a South Range Local Schools staff member or administrator. In general, have those experiences been (choose one)(184 answers)

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved What this said to us:  Most respondents are quite positive about their interaction with district staff members and administrators.  More than 80% were positive or neutral on this question.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved A few comments… Overall, communication with teachers has been positive. Teachers and executive staff can be difficult to get a hold of or to return calls. Aside from the monthly newsletter, there is very little communication between the school and parents. The elementary staff are great.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q7 was another “throwaway” or (redirection) question

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q8: Non-employees — What is your level of satisfaction with general communications received from the district (choose only one)(156 non-employees answered)? 41.67% 39.74% 18.59%

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved What this said to us:  Overall, the district is doing well in its communication efforts, but this is always one area where improvements can be made.  Three-fourths of respondents believe communications are managed well or that the district is making good effort in this area.  Approximately 20% believe communications could be greatly improved.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved A few comments… Surveys like this where (we) can comment without fear of retribution are a good start. Most district info comes from the Salem News, and not all have access to that. I feel the information is good, but a person needs to be very proactive in seeking it. Several comments relating to perceived lack of transparency, openness, etc.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q9: Non-employees — Please state your level of agreement with the following statements ( 157 answered) :

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved What this said to us:  This slide may present some opportunities for consideration, particularly in the area of the breadth of curriculum or the rigor of the curriculum.  Approximately 50% of respondents “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that the curriculum offers real world opportunities and appropriate extra- curriculars.  Between 14% and 25% of respondents “disagreed” or “strongly disagreed” on each of the three questions.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q10: Non-employees — In the past year, I have (please select all that apply)(154 answered):

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved What this said to us:  The numbers for each of these questions is very impressive. Your residents are highly engaged with the district.  More than 90% have attended a student-related event in the last year, almost 30% have attended a school board meeting, and almost three quarters have contributed to a district-related fundraiser.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q11: Non-employees — The South Range Local Schools Board of Education wants to encourage involvement in the district from retirees, older adults and empty-nesters. If you are represented by one of these categories, would you be interested in (check all that apply) ( 51 answered) : 49.02% 19.61% 52.94% 60.78%

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q12: All — Where do you most often obtain information related to South Range Local Schools (check up to three most often used)(167 answered, 85 skipped)? 59.28% 61.08% 20.36% 21.56% 4.79% 50.30% 6.59% 13.17% 21.56%

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved What this said to us:  The district newsletters are critical to your audiences. They need to be timely, consistent and accurate.  Information from students is also important. The danger here is that this information – however well intentioned – is second hand.  The district’s website and social media are also important, but several comments noted they appreciate the district being proactive (pushing out) communication.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q13: All — Considering your perception of the South Range Local School district and what you may know of neighboring or similar school districts, would you say (choose only one)(167 answered, 85 skipped): 44.31% 46.11% 9.58%

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved What this said to us:  167 people answered this question, and less than 10% of those believe the quality of education at South Range is less than that of other comparable districts.  Just over 90% believe a South Range education is equal to or better than that offered at comparable districts.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q14: All — Please state your level of agreement with the following statements (16 answered, 85 skipped):

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved What this said to us:  When the district communicates, respondents believe the information to be accurate, appropriate and professional.  Improvements can be made in quantity or in communication vehicle.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q15: All — Please state your level of agreement with the following statements (167 answered, 85 skipped):

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q15: All — Please state your level of agreement with the following statements (167 answered, 85 skipped):

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved What this said to us:  Perception is – or can be – reality. While most of this is still quite positive, there are areas that could be addressed.  Almost 20% aren’t positive or sure about administrator quality.  Approximately 30% are negative or strongly negative about their belief in the way district finances are managed.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q16: All — In your opinion, what are the areas where the district does its best work (you may select up to three)(167 answered, 85 skipped)?

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved What this said to us:  People in this district value your instructional staff.  Again, the safety and security of students and teachers is not a concern. The district has done a great job in this area.  Rigor and school funding were the two areas selected least as “areas of strength”

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved A few comments… Any district where 60% or more of students are on the honor roll is not adequately challenging them… Strong leadership from the superintendent and HS principal and most teachers go above and beyond. School counseling is sub-par.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved Q17: In your opinion, in what areas does the district have the most room to improve (you may select up to three)(167 answered, 85 skipped)?

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved What this said to us:  Curriculum rigor and preparation for life after graduation were two of the top three areas selected by this question as those that could be improved.  School finance and budget was the second highest chosen answer this in question.  Student and staff safety was the answer least selected by respondents.

© 2016 Ohio School Boards Association All Rights Reserved A few comments… Art and music education need to be re-introduced or added to. I think they are doing a wonderful job. Too much emphasis on athletics. Students who don’t need special attention do well. Those with special needs or who need additional challenge will struggle.

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