2024-25 Budget Survey Findings

The District launched a budget development survey in late October 2023 to gather information and feedback on what is most important for students and should be prioritized in the budget development process. Surveying helps ensure we are meeting shared goals with the community. At the same time, surveys are just one data point to inform decision-making. The District has used this information to develop recommendations, keeping in mind some budgeted areas have required bargaining with our labor partners. The summary below was presented to the Northshore School Board during its study session on Dec. 11, 2023 (view the recording of the meeting and the presentation slide deck).

 

Timeline

  • October 30, 2023 - Invitation sent to all Northshore families and secondary students through ParentSquare

  • November 1, 2023 - Budget survey invitation posted to the District’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts 

  • November 3, 2023 - Reminder sent to all Northshore families and secondary students through ParentSquare

  • November 8, 2023 - Deadline to complete the survey

  • December 11, 2023 - Analysis of survey feedback presented to the school board.

 

Respondents

The high number of responses provides meaningful feedback that can be used in an effective way.

2,612 members of the Northshore community responded.

  • 2,143 parents/guardians (82.0% of respondents)
  • 297 students (11.4% of respondents)
  • 172 community members (6.6% of respondents)

Demographic information was collected to take into consideration who is responding in relationship to the student population served in Northshore.

 

Key Findings

Respondents were asked to use a scale to rate the impact of 25 supports/areas of investment on students’ academic success. The community members’ responses are not specifically called out in the below summary, but they closely reflect the feedback received from parents/guardians.

Feedback Received from Parents and Guardians

Supports with the highest ratings, in order from the highest to the lowest:

  • Small class sizes; teacher-student ratio

  • Clean and well-maintained buildings

  • School safety and support

  • Additional classroom support

  • Teacher training, development

Supports with the lowest ratings:

  • Secondary advisory

  • 5th-grade orchestra/band opportunities

  • Transportation - after-school programs

  • Alternatives to neighborhood schools

  • Dual Language Program

Feedback Received from Secondary Students

Supports with the highest ratings, in order from the highest to the lowest:

  • Student clubs

  • Clean and well-maintained buildings

  • Teacher training, development

  • Later start time - high school students

  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses and opportunities

Supports with the lowest ratings:

  • 5th-grade orchestra/band opportunities

  • 5th-grade camp

  • Elementary athletics

  • Alternatives to neighborhood schools

  • Secondary advisory

 

General Takeaways

  • Small class sizes was the number one most-impactful support identified by parents/guardians by a large margin.

  • Respondents identified there is a clear overlap between academic success and well-being.

  • A fraction of parents/guardians expressed concerns about administration being too large and self-protective and others expressed criticism of the survey.

  • The community isn’t in complete agreement about all issues, with varying levels of support for alternative learning environments, seven-period days, paraeducators, highly capable programs, and athletics.

  • Parents/guardians want excellent education in safe, pleasant spaces. Students do as well, but are far more likely to rate clubs, seven-period day, and CTE experiences as important to their educational experience.