Williamsburg School District asks residents to complete survey

WILLIAMSBURG — Seeking to set long-range goals, Williamsburg Community School District is asking parents, students, community members, alumni and staff to complete a survey.

Superintendent Chad Garber said the survey will help a group of about 30 volunteers prioritize goals in five areas: student achievement, resources stewardship, college and career readiness, community engagement and school culture and learning environment.

The long-range planning survey may be accessed on the district’s website, williamsburg.k12.ia.us/. Call the central office at 319-668-1059 to get a paper copy.

The survey period is open until Feb. 9.

The survey was written by a team of community members, staff members and students as one part of a process to build a strategic five year plan for Williamsburg Community School District, said Garber.

Survey responses will remain anonymous.

The survey asks questions about demographics, such as age and occupation of respondents, and about community engagement.

Williamsburg Community School District is at its best when it partners with families, business and industry leaders, alumni and the communities of Conroy, Holbrook, Parnell, and Williamsburg, the survey says.

Community engagement results in benefits for the school, and the school must be a leading contributor to our partners’ prosperity and growth as well.

The survey asks where residents find information. Facebook? X? Instagram?

Do residents visit the school’s website, read a newspaper or attend public meetings?

Should the school be sending communications to parents, staff and students weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly?

It is important that students, staff members, volunteers and the community feel safe and welcome in the schools and as members of the school district, the survey says.

It asks respondents to describe strategies or steps the district could take to improve the safety of students at school, on buses and at school activities or any related school events.

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Helping students acquire the academic skills, interpersonal skills and traits necessary to succeed in school, at work and throughout life is at the core of the district’s responsibility, the survey says.

It asks respondents to rank social and emotional learning, academics, citizenship, employability skills and independent living from least to most important for students.

The survey asks how Williamsburg Community Schools can improve in those areas.

Preparing students for life after high school is among the primary responsibilities of the district, the survey says. Students should be prepared for two- or four-year colleges, certification programs, the Armed Services, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training.

The survey asks if respondents believe Williamsburg schools achieve that goal. What experiences should be provided for students to better prepare them for their future after graduating from WHS?

Respondents are asked what areas they think Williamsburg schools should improve most to prepare students for life after high school. Options include budgeting and finance for living, learning and working authentic career exploration, college readiness and career readiness.

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Williamsburg Community School District has many resources at hand, including district facilities and equipment, along with local, state and federal funding, the survey says.

Managing those resources so that the district is able to serve students is critical.

The survey asks if the district could better use community grants, community partnerships, equipment, local expertise, business and industry employment, municipal partnerships and local social services.

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In addition to directed questions, the survey allows respondents to list experiences they believe should be provided for students to better prepare them for the future after graduating from WHS.