Exeter Region Cooperative School Board Committee Meeting 

February 19, 2008

Communications Committee – 7:30 PM

 

 

Board:  Sally Oxnard, Kris Magnusson, Tomasen Carey, Patty Lovejoy, Lucy Cushman

 

Administration:  Arthur Hanson, Victor Sokul, John LeSage, Tom O’Malley, Bill Perkins, Tony Baldasaro

 

Lucy Cushman ran the meeting and Sally Oxnard reviewed the meeting with Dr. Andy Smith and offered some of his thoughts:

 

• If previous surveys show a 75%+ satisfaction rate on a question, may not want to ask the question again.
• Don’t ask questions that have deliverables, unless the board/administration can deliver.
• No need to ask SAU transportation question

 

Long discussion ensued regarding parents addressing questions to board members instead of teachers.  Board is encouraged to send parents to appropriate teachers.  From this, came the concept of trying to determine how to have face-face parent conferences. 

 

Conversation regarding survey questions. Pertinent points:

 

• Do not ask ambiguous questions
• The term “rigorous” is difficult to define for people
• Baseline data is important
• Many parents may have opinions formed from newspaper articles
• Data should be an ally, not a weapon
• Middle level teachers feel a sense of defeat due to the constant barrage of negative comments
• Survey should also have questions about social, emotional issues

 

Dr. Oxnard and the superintendent will review survey questions and then send to Dr. Smith at the UNH Survey Center for his final review.  Once this is accomplished, the survey will be administered in March, 2008 to CMS & EHS staff and parents.

 

Minutes taken by,

Arthur Hanson, Superintendent