Building a Better Future: Lakota Schools’ Community Feedback Highlights Key Priorities

Lakota Local Schools recently conducted a public opinion research study to understand the community's views on various aspects of the school district. The study was carried out by Fallon Research & Communications, Inc. in February and involved 401 live telephone interviews and secure SMS/text-to-web surveys with adult residents of the District. Paul Fallon presented his findings to the Board of Education at the March 19 master facilities committee meeting.

Margin of Error

“The overall estimated margin of sampling error is plus or minus 4.89%,” Fallon explained to the Board. “This means that if this survey were repeated, 95 times out of 100 the results would be within plus or minus 4.89% of the responses I will present to you.”

Key Findings

Here are the key findings from the study, presented in a simple and easy-to-understand manner.

Respondent Data

• 43% have children currently enrolled in Lakota Local Schools.
• 53% do not have children currently enrolled.
• 4% skipped this question

Quality of Life and Satisfaction

• Overall Satisfaction: 86% of residents are satisfied with the quality of life in Butler County. This includes 83% of parents and 90% of non-parents. The overall satisfaction rate has increased from 60% in 2021, the last time Lakota conducted this type of survey with Fallon.
• Lakota Local Schools: 65% of the respondents are satisfied with the Lakota Local School District, up from 55% in 2021. This includes 76% of parents, 59% non-parents and 55% of respondents ages 65 and older.
• Education’s Contribution: 82% of respondents believe that the education provided by Lakota Local Schools positively contributes to the quality of life in the community. “The stability of these measures is very reassuring,” Fallon told the Board, referring to the 84% answered in 2021 and noting that statistically speaking, these are similar responses and within the margin of error. 

Education

• Quality of Education: 70% of the respondents rate the quality of education in the District as excellent or good. This includes 79% of parents and 65% of non parents. Looking at an age breakdown, 68% of respondents 18-44, 72% between the ages of 45 to 64 and 69% of those 65 and older rated the education as excellent or good. This is compared to 78% in 2021.
• Priorities for District Leaders: 
  • 30%: Improving the quality of education;
  • 16%: Supporting students with diverse learning needs;
  • 14%: Reducing class sizes
  • 11%: Focusing on fiscal responsibility;
  • 8%: Raising state test scores;
  • 7%: K-to-12 busing; and
  • 7%: Building and renovating school buildings.

Fallon noted that the fact that improving the quality of education as the top response is positive because it indicates the absence of other pressing issues. The survey asked a follow up question, having respondents rank their second highest priority. Both times the question was asked, the same top three responses were noted, just in a slightly different order:

• 20%: Improving the quality of education;
• 18%: Reducing class size; and
• 17%: Supporting students with diverse learning needs.

Averaging the responses to these two questions together, Fallon noted that the top three areas of priority are:

• 30%: Improving the quality of education;
• 16%: Supporting students with diverse learning needs; and
• 14%: Reducing class size.

The responses only slightly varied between parents and non-parents. Parents rated the top three priorities as:

• 28%: Improving the quality of education;
• 17%: Reducing class size; and
• 17%: Supporting students with diverse learning needs.

Among non-parents, the top three priorities are:

• 33%: Improving the quality of education;
• 14%: Supporting students with diverse learning needs; and
• 13%: Focus on fiscal responsibility.

Facilities and Building Conditions

Split Sampling: Fallon explained that the survey used split sampling for its first question about facilities. That means that half of the respondents were asked about replacing outdated elementary schools and the other half were asked about renovating outdated elementary schools.

• Replacing: 17% of respondents rate this as a high priority, 40% as a medium priority.
• Renovating: 23% rate this as a high priority and 42% as a medium priority.
   
• Support for Change: 51% of respondents support building new schools while 74% support renovations. Among parents, 74% support renovations, compared to 51% of non-parents.
• Top Facilities Priorities:
  • 40%: Safety and security; 
  • 26%: Technology; and
  • 11%: Collaboration and small-group instruction spaces.

Both parents and non-parents agreed with this ranking of priorities.

• Outdated Buildings: 33% agree that Lakota’s school buildings are too outdated, 49% disagree and 18% are unsure. Among parents, 46% agree, compared to 24% of non-parents.
• Reducing School Buildings: 60% believe it is a medium to high priority to reduce school buildings from 23 to 17 to cut down on operational costs.

School Finances

• Budget Management: 46% rate the school district’s management of its budget and tax dollars as excellent or good.
• Value for Money: 59% feel they receive good value from Lakota Local Schools for the money they pay to live in the community, down slightly from 64% in 2021.

Communication

• Communication Rating: 63% rate the school district's communication with parents and the public as excellent or good, compared to 66% in 2021. Fallon again noted that this is within the margin of error, making it statistically the same. 
• Preferred Communication Mediums: Email is the preferred medium, followed by materials received in the mail and social media.

Fallon said, “The high rating for communicating with parents – and more challenging – non-parents indicates that the District is well-positioned to have a robust dialogue with the public about topical matters, such as facilities, and benefit from the high degree of trust and confidence residents seem to have in its work.”

Conclusion

After reviewing the data, Fallon summarized his findings for the committee. “Community satisfaction with the Lakota Local School district remains high among parents and non-parents alike,” he said. “The school district continues to be viewed as a major reason for the quality of life.” Fallon went on to explain that the survey results indicate that Lakota is important to residents, even those who do not have students attending schools in the District.

Regarding facilities, Fallon noted that both “parents and non-parents are largely supportive of building renovations, especially those that bolster student safety and building security.” He went on to say, “Although the margins of difference are quite narrow, a notable point of divergence in the study appears to be whether cost efficiency or neighborhood schooling experiences should be the primary determinative factor in facilities decisions, with some indifference exhibited towards the idea of reducing the District’s footprint.”

Overall, Lakota Local Schools is viewed positively by the community, with high satisfaction levels regarding the quality of life and education. The District's priorities should focus on improving education quality, supporting diverse learning needs and ensuring safety and security in school facilities. Effective communication and responsible financial management are also crucial for maintaining community trust and support.

The complete presentation can be found on our website.