Beverly Public Schools is sharing the results of a survey addressing issues impacting public education across the community. Survey topics included perspectives on the quality of education provided by the district, interactions with district leadership, decisions made that impact district operations, budget constraints, community relations, school operations and communications.
Overall, respondents reported favorable opinions of the education provided by the district, with 76 percent of staff and 69 percent of parents giving grades of A or B. In addition, most respondents recognized that quality schools are relevant to them, while indicating that increased funding to ensure quality education is important. And 80 percent of parents and community members said they understand the role of the seven-member elected School Committee.
Working in conjunction with independent research and communication firm K12 Insight, the district is engaging in a two-way dialogue with the entire Beverly community, with the goal of increasing transparency into district operations. This survey was also an opportunity for the school district to learn about the communitys awareness level of major decisions made this past year.
A total of 713 people responded to the District Climate Survey, representing a cross-section of district employees, parents and community members. Offered online in October, the survey is part of an overall comprehensive plan to engage the entire Beverly community.
Id like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to our first District Climate Survey, said Marie Galinski, EdD, superintendent of Beverly Public Schools. Its essential that we hear everyones voice as we make decisions in line with our mission of maximizing the academic achievement and personal growth for every student.
Other findings indicate that the district needs to improve its communications with parents and community members, particularly around major school district decisions. Those decisions include the districts new five-year strategic plan, the decision to continue providing food services in-house, the transition to a new four-by-four block day at the high school level and the participation of all 9th-grade students in a Freshman Academy. Seventy-four percent of staff indicated awareness of these decisions, compared with fewer than half of all parent and community respondents. The majority of respondents, however, agreed that these are good decisions in support of education. Not surprisingly, staff was also more familiar with the districts budget constraints than were parents or community members.
The results of the full survey can be viewed on the district website at beverlyschools.org under Administration.