MARBLEHEAD — The School Committee reviewed feedback from a parent and staff-wide survey at its regular meeting Thursday evening ahead of its public budget forum next Tuesday.
Survey responses revealed the majority of participants felt Marblehead Public Schools should focus on staff retention and attraction. Parents voiced concern about a teacher exodus many other districts are facing and asked how they can support Marblehead teachers, according to Superintendent Dr. John Buckey.
500 people took the survey. Of them, 392 identified as a parent or guardian, 84 identified as staff members, and eight identified as community members. At 36 percent, a plurality of survey respondents said they were affiliated with Marblehead High School. The remaining 64 percent represented a nearly even split between those identifying as being affiliated with Veterans Middle School, Brown, Glover, and Village elementary schools.
“It’s a good amount of feedback we are getting,” said Sarah Fox, committee co-chair. “It’s really super helpful.”
The district administered the survey using ThoughtExchange, a software allowing participants to anonymously contribute and then rate opinions on a one- to five-star rating scale based on how much they agreed with them.
One of the survey’s most popular requests was for the students at Veterans Middle School to receive some time outside during the day, whether it be 10 minutes after lunch or allowing them to eat lunch outdoors.
“We did it during Covid and kids loved it,” the response reads. “Why not continue that?’
Top themes that emerged during the rating portion of the survey include staggering start times across the district and addressing student mental health.
The survey also asked participants for topic suggestions for the district’s next public forum. Following requests for increased financial transparency, the committee decided its 7 p.m. virtual forum will focus on the district’s budget. Those interested in attending the forum can find the Zoom meeting ID and password on the district’s website.
Fox and Buckey have asked the district’s leadership team to consider ways it would use ThoughtExchange to survey students. He suggested asking them to respond to questions about stress levels, mental health, and the dress code, for example.
“We are still seeing the after-effects in a very big way on these kids,” Fox said. “This might be a great way to identify kids who might not otherwise get identified (as needing help). …I would like to see it used in that way.”
