Fife School District Community Survey May 2017
1
METHODOLOGY
METHODOLOGY
Strategies 360 conducted an online survey of residents in or affiliated with the Fife Public School District. ➢ The survey was available for all community members to take part in May 2-15, 2017. ➢ A total of 816 community members took the survey. ➢ These results are not representative of the community as a whole; rather, those who chose to participate in the research.
3
FINDINGS
FINDINGS
•
Survey respondents are largely satisfied with the quality of education in Fife School District. Seventy-eight percent (80%) report being at least somewhat satisfied and 43% are very satisfied. Just 4% are somewhat or very dissatisfied.
•
Respondents certainly recognize the need for additional funding. Three-quarters of respondents (77%) believe that there is a need for additional funding. Almost four-in-ten (39%) respondents overall report that there is definitely a need. Additionally, 16% of respondents are unsure, highlighting the opportunity for education around funding needs in the district.
•
In adjudicating the district's performance in a number of areas, Fife School District receives the strongest performance ratings for “providing high quality teaching” and "ensuring student and staff safety." This dovetails well with general levels of satisfaction, though as with satisfaction, positive reviews are more "good" than "excellent" so there is still room for growth. Fife School District receives a lower score for "managing and spending taxpayer dollars wisely.” This is something to keep in mind should the district seek to move forward with a push for additional funding. That said, areas that might benefit from additional funding, namely “providing new and innovative academic opportunities" and "maintaining and repairing school buildings" both see lower performance assessments. “Keeping class sizes to an acceptable level” also suffers from a lack of strong performance, suggesting a potential appetite for more funding to alleviate overcrowding issues.
5
FINDINGS
•
This is a somewhat tax sensitive school district. Forty-five (45%) of respondents report than their property taxes are too high, though by a 3-to-1 margin, they are more likely to say “a little high” over “way too high.” Almost a third (31.4%) also believe that their taxes are just right and a fifth (22%) are unsure.
•
That the number of students enrolled in Fife School District comes as no surprise to respondents; 94% can identify this increase. Moreover, a similar level (91%) believe enrollment growth and school overcrowding is an issue for the district. Over half of all respondents (53%) identify this to be a very serious issue.
•
By some margin, ensuring that high school students have access to STEM opportunities is the top priority for respondents. Addressing particular schools’ facility needs and improving safety and security in schools are also top priorities.
•
Reconfiguring the junior high/middle schools does not pop as a priority, but this is not to say that without education, the community would not be supportive. This will likely call for more education about what these changes would entail and why they are necessary.
6
FINDINGS
•
All of the tested message statements work well. In particular, talking about the district’s growth (3,600 new students) and the need to address portable classrooms are the most compelling statements. Seventy-six percent (76%) and 71% of respondents, respectively, identify these statements as very good reasons to invest in the district’s educational facilities.
•
Language around investing in children’s futures, safety and security, and the need for efficient buildings and modern classrooms all work well, too. A statement about introducing a four-year high school has less of an impact, but this is likely due to the need for more education and communications around the proposal and how it can help alleviate overcrowding issues.
•
Respondents are most likely to get their news and information about Fife School District from the district emails or automated phone calls or through a teacher, principal, or school staff member. School and district Facebook pages are also popular information sources.
7
DEMOGRAPHICS
Which of the following best describes your age?
3.3
0.1 1.8 2.2
Value
Percent
Younger than 18
1.8%
18-24
2.2%
25-34
14.8%
35-49
54.4%
50-64
23.3%
65-80
3.3%
80+
0.1%
14.8
23.3 Younger than 18 18-24 25-34 35-49 50-64 65-80
80+
54.4 9
Gender: Value
Percent
Male
22.5%
Female
76.5%
Prefer not to answer
1.0%
1 22.5
Male Female Prefer not to answer
76.5 10
How long have you lived in Fife School District?
1.2
1.5
14.2
16.2
Value
Percent
Less than a year
1.5%
1 - 5 years
14.2%
5 - 10 years
17.2%
10 - 20 years
28.7%
20 - 30 years
11.8%
More than 30 years
9.2%
I do not live in Fife School District
16.2%
Prefer not to answer
1.2%
Less than a year 1-5 years 5-10 years
9.2
17.2
10-20 years 20-30 years More than 30 years I do not live in the Fife School District
11.8
Prefer not to answer
28.7 11
Which of the following statements best describes you? Value
70 62.4
Percent
Student who attends the Fife School District
8.1%
Parent or guardian of a child who attends the Fife School District
62.4%
Parent or guardian of a child who lives in Fife School District, but does NOT attend a school in the Fife School District
3.4%
Resident of Fife School District
37.9%
Fife School District staff member
30.4%
Prefer not to answer
2.2%
60 50 37.9
40
30.4
30 20 8.1
10
3.4
2.2
0 Student who attends the Parent or guardian of a Parent or guardian of a Resident of Fife School Fife School District child who attends the Fife child who lives in FSD, but District School District does NOT attend an FSD school
12
Fife School District staff member
Prefer not to answer
Multiple responses accepted, totals do not add up to 100%. Open-ended question; responses were coded into categories.
What is the highest level of education you have fully completed?
2.2
2 8.7
31.2
Value
Percent
Less than high school
2.0%
High school graduate or GED
8.7%
Some college or Associates Degree
31.1%
Bachelor’s Degree
24.8%
Postgraduate or advanced degree
31.2%
Prefer not to answer
2.2%
Less than high school High school graduate or GED Some college or Associate's Degree
31.1
Bachelor's Degree Postgraduate or advanced degree Prefer not to answer
24.8 13
Which of the following best described your household income from all sources in 2016? Your best guess is fine.
8.8 6.1
2.5
9.2 13.1
Value
Percent
Less than $25,000
2.5%
$25,000-$50,000
9.2%
$50,000-$75,000
13.1%
$75,000-$100,000
23.8%
$100,000-$200,000
36.4%
$200,000 or more
6.1%
Prefer not to say
8.8%
Less than $25,000 $25,000-$50,000 $50,000-$75,000 $75,000-$100,000 $100,000-$200,000 $200,000 or more Prefer not to say
36.4 23.8
14
How would you describe your race? You may select more than one. Value
Percent
White or Caucasian
77.9%
Hispanic or Latino
3.9%
Black or African American
2.0%
Native American
2.8%
Asian or Pacific Islander
6.3%
Multi-race
4.3%
Something else
0.7%
Prefer not to say
9.3%
90 77.9
80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10
3.9
2
2.8
Black or African American
Native American
6.3
9.3 4.3
0.7
0 White or Caucasian Hispanic or Latino
15
Asian or Pacific Islander
Multiple responses accepted, totals do not add up to 100%
Multi-race
Something else
Prefer not to say
EDUCATION QUESTIONS
Thinking about the Fife School District, would you say you are satisfied or dissatisfied with the QUALITY OF EDUCATION students in the Fife School District are receiving?
2.2 1.6
3.4
1
11.5
Value
Percent
TOTAL VERY/SW SATISFIED
80.3%
Very satisfied
42.9%
Somewhat satisfied
37.4%
Lean toward satisfied
11.5%
Lean toward dissatisfied
3.4%
Somewhat dissatisfied
2.2%
Very dissatisfied
1.6%
Don't know
1.0%
42.9 Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Lean toward satisfied Lean toward dissatisfied Somewhat dissatisfied Very dissatisfied
37.4
17
Don't know
Which of the following do you think best describes the Fife School District’s financial situation? Would you say Fife’s public schools…
15.9
Value
Percent
NEED ADDITIONAL FUNDING
77.3%
Definitely need additional funding
38.6%
Probably need additional funding
38.7%
Probably have enough funding
5.0%
Definitely have enough funding
1.7%
Don't know
15.9%
1.7
38.6
5
Definitely need additional funding Probably need additional funding Probably have enough funding Definitely have enough funding Don't know
38.7 18
After you read each of the following, please indicate if you believe the school district is doing an excellent job, a good job, only a fair job, or a poor job on that item. Total Excllnt /Good
Total Fair/ Poor
Excllnt
Good
Fair
Poor
Don’t Know
Providing high quality teaching
81%
18%
29%
53%
14%
4%
1%
Ensuring student and staff safety
81%
17%
31%
50%
13%
4%
2%
Reflecting the values of the community
76%
18%
25%
51%
15%
3%
6%
Communicating with families and community members and keeping them informed
74%
23%
30%
44%
17%
6%
3%
Preparing children for the future
69%
29%
18%
51%
23%
7%
2%
Providing academic support opportunities for students
68%
29%
22%
46%
22%
7%
4%
Listening to parents
66%
27%
19%
46%
20%
7%
7%
Listening to the community
62%
25%
17%
45%
19%
6%
13%
Providing enrichment opportunities for students
61%
35%
18%
43%
28%
7%
4%
Managing and spending taxpayer dollars wisely
59%
22%
15%
44%
17%
5%
19%
Providing new and innovative academic opportunities
58%
37%
16%
42%
28%
9%
5%
Keeping class sizes to acceptable levels
53%
44%
13%
40%
30%
14%
3%
Maintaining and repairing school buildings 19
47%
47%
9%
37%
30%
17%
7%
Would you say that your property taxes are currently…
21.8
11.3
Value
Percent
TOTAL HIGH
45.1%
Way too high
11.3%
A little high
33.8%
About right
31.4%
Too low
1.7%
Don't know
21.8%
Way too high
1.7
A little high About right
33.8
31.4 20
Too low Don't know
Generally speaking, over the past 5 years, do you believe that the number of students enrolled in Fife School District has…
1.3
Value
Percent
Increased
94.0%
Decreased
0.2%
Stayed the same
1.3%
Don't know
4.4%
4.4
0.2
Increased Decreased Stayed the same Don't know
94 21
How much of an issue do you believe enrollment growth and school overcrowding are in the Fife School District?
4.4 4.8
Value
Percent
TOTAL SERIOUS
90.8%
Very serious
53.4%
Somewhat serious
37.4%
Not really a problem
4.4%
Don't know
4.8%
Very serious Somewhat serious
37.4
22
53.4
Not really a problem Don't know
Here is a list of priorities for Fife School District, please indicate if you think each one should be an absolute top priority, a high but not top priority, a medium priority, or a low priority for funding. Total Absolute/ High
Total Medium/ Lower
Absolute
High
Medium
Lower
Don’t Know
Ensure high school students have a building that provides access to science, engineering, and math opportunities
85%
14%
45%
40%
12%
2%
1%
Address Fife High School facility needs
74%
20%
35%
39%
17%
3%
6%
Address elementary school student capacity
74%
21%
39%
35%
18%
3%
5%
Address Surprise Lake Middle School facility needs
73%
19%
38%
34%
15%
4%
9%
Improve safety/security in our schools
68%
30%
37%
31%
24%
6%
2%
Reduce the use of portable classrooms
54%
44%
22%
32%
28%
16%
2%
Create a four-year high school at Fife School District
39%
57%
17%
22%
18%
39%
4%
Reconfigure our two junior high/middle school buildings to serve students in grades 6-8
35%
60%
13%
22%
27%
33%
5%
Reduce the number of times students have to change schools during their K-12 path
34%
65%
15%
19%
22%
42%
1%
Create neighborhood elementary schools that 23serve kindergarten through 5th grade
33%
62%
14%
19%
23%
39%
5%
Please read the following statements about investing in educational facilities in Fife School District. After reading each one, please indicate if you find the information to be a good reason or a bad reason to invest in the school district. Total Good
Total Bad
Very Good
Good
Bad
Very Bad
Don’t Know
Our district is growing. We have 3,600 students in our district and we are growing by 3 percent every year. That’s up to three new classrooms a year. Fife School District needs additional funding to ensure all our students have room to learn.
97%
2%
76%
21%
1%
1%
1%
School buildings represent community investments in our children’s futures. These assets need to be protected. Maintenance on schools ensures these buildings last longer and provide the community more return on their investment.
96%
3%
54%
42%
2%
0%
2%
Fife School District is at capacity. We are currently teaching students in 19 portable classrooms. That’s almost an entire school of portables. With additional funding, the district can build more classrooms, rather than adding additional portables.
95%
4%
71%
24%
2%
1%
1%
The safety and security of our students is of utmost priority. The district needs additional funding to ensure school buildings meet modern safety requirements.
94%
4%
58%
37%
3%
0%
2%
Our schools should be efficient, well-maintained buildings with flexible space to prepare students for college and careers.
94%
5%
58%
35%
4%
1%
1%
Fife School District needs modern, innovative classroom space that provides the collaborative space needed for our students to learn and prepare them for the jobs of the future.
93%
6%
54%
39%
5%
1%
1%
A comprehensive four-year high school (rather than the current Grade 10-12 model) will provide our students with more educational and extracurricular opportunities.
63%
30%
31%
32%
16%
14%
7%
In our district, students currently attend five different schools, rather than the traditional three-school path: elementary, middle and high school. The district should reconfigure schools to create K-5 elementary schools, 6-8 middle schools and one 4-year high school in order to create fewer school changes for students and alleviate unnecessary stress and transitions. 24
54%
40%
27%
27%
19%
21%
6%
How do you typically receive news and information about Fife School District? You may select more than one and add your own? You may select more than one and add your own.
25
Value
Percent
Emails from the district
66.90%
District automated phone calls
63.80%
Teacher, principal, or school staff
52.90%
District website
46.90%
District Facebook page
32.10%
School Facebook page
28.30%
A friend or neighbor
26.20%
School newsletter
22.40%
Fife Free Press
20.70%
Twitter
3.70%
Other - Write In (Required)
4.50%
None of the above
1.60%
Don't know
0.40%
Multiple responses accepted, totals do not add up to 100%
How often do you visit a Fife School District building?
18.8
Value
Percent
Once per week
24.8%
More than once per week
30.3%
More than five times per month
26.2%
I do not visit Fife School District buildings
18.8%
24.8 Once per week More than once per week More than five times per month I do not visit Fife School District buildings
26.2 30.3 26
Cornelia Treptow Senior Research Associate
[email protected]
Jesse Sutherland Research Analyst
[email protected]
S360 Research Offices o Seattle, Washington o San Diego, California o Denver, Colorado
