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District 112 survey elicits views and informs
North Shore District 112 Superintendent David Behlow (right) and board president Bruce Hyman. | Brian O'Mahoney~for Sun-Times Media
Updated: February 19, 2013 3:38PM
HIGHLAND PARK — North Shore School District 112 has launched an online survey to gauge parents and community member perceptions about the quality of the schools and how well the district is serving all segments of its diverse population.
The survey also aims to reveal the public’s familiarity with the issues that prompted the formation of the 60-member Superintendent’s Citizen Finance and Facilities Advisory Committee. The committee is considering whether to close schools and reorganize the district into larger attendance areas with each school serving fewer grades.
District communications manager Andi Rosen said the survey was developed by K12 Insight in consultation with district administrators. The consultant was hired by the district in November to reach out and involve community members in the decisions that await the School Board after the advisory committee completes its work.
Some of the questions appeared designed to convey information.
Among the questions:
“Are you aware that North Shore School District 112 has aging facilities, greater than average operational costs due to the number of school buildings and increasing demands on curriculum and technology as it strives to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the 21st century global economy?” Respondents have two options: Yes or No.
Another question asks:
“Are you aware that the district is in the last year of paying off $20.9 million in referendum bonds issued in 2002? This bond issue accounted for $5.5 million in property tax revenues collected during 2012 and will no longer be collected after 2013.” The choices also are Yes or No.
The next question asks the respondent’s opinion on whether the current funding level is “adequate to meet this community’s education needs.”
Elsewhere in the survey, parents and community members are invited to prioritize the challenges facing the district and assess the delivery of services to limited English students, low-income students, special education students, children from military families and gifted and talented students.
When the results are in, the survey is designed to reveal if community members perceive an unevenness in the quality of the schools. Respondents are asked how much they agree or disagree with the statement: “Students receive the same high quality education regardless of what district school they attend.”
The survey is available on the district’s website, www.nssd112.org. Residents without access to a computer or the Internet may obtain a paper copy of the survey by calling (224) 765-3013. The survey was launched Tuesday and will be available through March 12.
