Community Survey #1 Results

Do you currently have children attending

I’m taking this survey as (check all that apply):
Allegan Public Schools?

300 274
34
250

200

150

100
64
52
50
276
0
Community Parent of School- APS Staff Member
Member Age Child(ren)
Yes No
How informed do you feel you are about the on-goings at Allegan Public Schools?

140
128

120

100
78
80 71

60

40
23
20 9

0
1 2 3 4 5

Scale of 1 (not informed) to 5 (extremely informed)

 Community Survey #1 Results
How do you receive information about Allegan Public Schools (check all that apply)?:
3

26
147 District Newsletter
229 Newsletter from Teachers

91 School Building Newsletters

Social Media

29
Word of Mouth
87
District Website

121 Newspaper/Media
School Messenger/Text Messenger
205 I don't
116
Emails
 Community Survey #1 Results
How often do you attend function What types of events do you attend
sat Allegan Public Schools facilities? (check all that apply)?

90 81
80
70 300
61 256
60 250
47 50 48
50 186 190
200
40 150 117
30 22
100
20
10 50 16
0 0
Never 1-2 3-5 6-9 10-19 20+
times times times times times
per per per per per
year year year year year
 Community Survey #1 Results
Please select the building(s) which your child(ren) currently attend or did attend
(check all that apply):

17
44 Allegan High School
19 143
L.E. White Middle School

Dawson Elementary
71
Pine Trails Elementary

West Ward Elementary

44 Early Childhood Center

116 Allegan Online/Adult Education

67
N/A
 Community Survey #1 Results

• “They are not unsafe but could definitely use

Please rate the academic facilities: updates.”
160 152
• “Some technical updates but the building is still
140 very similar to when I attended there almost 30
120 years ago.”

100 • “Roof leaks seemed like a constant battle in

81
elementary buildings especially. Having no AC in
80 68
halls and gyms makes for uncomfortable
60 environments for students and staff.”
40
• “Other schools are designed in such a way that
20 6 all classrooms have windows and natural light for
2 kids to see throughout the day. Expect for 6th
0
grade, it's possible 7th and 8th graders don't see
1 2 3 4 5 the sun except for lunch time.”
Scale of 1 (unacceptable/unsafe) to 5 (excellent)
 Community Survey #1 Results
How often do you attend function What types of events do you attend
sat Allegan Public Schools facilities? (check all that apply)?

90 81
80
70 300
61 256
60 250
47 50 48
50 186 190
200
40 150 117
30 22
100
20
10 50 16
0 0
Never 1-2 3-5 6-9 10-19 20+
times times times times times
per per per per per
year year year year year
 Community Survey #1 Results
Do you believe that the APS learning facilities
• “We need to offer students a safe and consistent
benefit the entire community: learning environment that is going to help lead
140 129 them to strong abilities to lead independent lives.
The pool is open to the community and the sports
120 are fun entertainment and great team building
for kids.”
100
79 80
80

60

40

20 13
6
0
1 2 3 4 5
Scale of 1 (unacceptable/unsafe) to 5 (excellent)
 Community Survey #1 Results
Do you feel that APS provides a safe and secure
• “I feel the inside of the schools are doing a great
school environment? job of security. The outside, like playgrounds,
160 before school drop off and after school pick ups
136 are not safe at all.”
140
118 • “Drop off and pick up some days can be a bit
120
scary at LE White. Kids do not always pay
100 attention and run in front of cars.”
80
• “Bad idea having crosswalk in front of L.E. White
60 to high school with traffic coming and going. Kids
39 should be using sidewalks west to high school
40
and crossing at a different location.”
20 11
4
• “The high school main entrance needs to be
0
redesigned and pool access as well to keep
1 2 3 4 5 competition participants from having access to
Scale of 1 (unacceptable/unsafe) to 5 (excellent) the entire school building and classrooms.”
 Community Survey #1 Results
How does your child(ren) get to Please rate traffic flow and parking
school each morning? during morning drop off.

100 91
200 182 90
180
80 75
160
140 70
120 57
60
100 50
80 64
56 40 32
60
40 30
21
20 20
10
0 10
Walk/Bike Bus Vehicle Drive (16+ 0
Drop Off years) 1 2 3 4 5
(by adult)
Scale of 1 (unacceptable/unsafe)
to 5 (excellent)
 Community Survey #1 Results
How does your child(ren) leave Please rate traffic flow and parking
school each afternoon? during afternoon pick-up.

90 84
200 81
182
180 80
160 70
140 60
120
100 50 43
81 40
80 40
56
60 30
35
40
20 20 14
0 10
Walk/Bike Bus Vehicle Drive (16+ 0
Drop Off years) 1 2 3 4 5
(by adult)
Scale of 1 (unacceptable/unsafe)
to 5 (excellent)
 What would the ideal pick-up/drop-off situation look like for your family?
• “Cars exiting have difficulty leaving especially
with kids crossing cars backed up waiting for kids
to cross and others to pass.”
• “Drop offs tend to be an issue mostly at the
middle school and in the past with North Ward.
Mostly due congestion in the drop off lanes.”
• “More parking for student pick up/drop off, lines
painted for parking, possible crossing guards on
school property to help students cross without
fear of cars coming by too quickly.”
• “Clear defined traffic for students and drivers.
Areas for picking up students should be in a
separate area from where they walk to the high
school.”
• “Better flow of traffic. A pick up lane that doesn't
interfere with busses. Middle school primarily
takes forever if you pull up to entrance for pick
up. West Ward would be better if pick up out
front all moved in the same direction. Traffic gets
congested and busses struggle to get through.”
• “Pick up vehicles are designated to one area
and have to keep moving. While buses have a
separate area to enter and exit safely.”
 Community Survey #1 Results
Would you support site improvements to address
pedestrian and vehicle traffic challenges?

65

17

207

Yes No Unsure/Need More Information

 Community Survey #1 Results
Please rate the overall safety and security in the district.

160 151

140
120
100 86
80
60 51

40
20 13
0
0
1 2 3 4 5

Scale of 1 (unacceptable/unsafe) to 5 (excellent)

 Community Survey #1 Results
Does your student participate in APS Athletics (check all that apply)?:

13
51 33
Baseball Basketball
8
10
Bowling Competitive Cheer
24
Cross Country Football
92 24
Golf Sideline Cheer
12
Soccer Swimming
14
Tennis Track and Field
19 36
24 Volleyball Wrestling
20 25
26
None N/A
 Community Survey #1 Results
Please rate the athletic facilities.
• “Need to update/have locker room space at the
fields. Keep competitors entirely separate.”
120 109 • “The tennis courts are horrible. It is dangerous to
100 play on courts 1-4. The cracks in courts 5-8 keep
getting bigger. You are at a point where they
80 need to be dug up and replaced… Also, the
63 sharp turns of the track have been damaging to
60 55 people's knees. It's not a good place to run. I
know my mom was told to stay away after knee
40 surgery… The pool deck is sometimes not large
enough for the number of swimmers on
20 deck…Also, the seating area is not big enough.
8 8 Because you don't have seats built in, people
0 spread out and then there aren't enough seats
1 2 3 4 5 for all spectators. Quite often, I think we would be
shut down if a fire marshall showed up.”
Scale of 1 (unacceptable/unsafe) to 5 (excellent)
• “Turf on the football field would be nice for
marching band and other events.”
 Please rate the spectator
• “The seating feels incomplete in the pool like it
accommodations at athletic events. needs a bench for seating at the front of the
120 stairs so there is room for feet under the bench.
106 The football stadium is great for spectators as is
100 the gym (the lighting could be improved to have
it be more natural).”
80 73

60 55

40

20
4 6
0
1 2 3 4 5
Scale of 1 (unacceptable/unsafe) to 5 (excellent)
 Community Survey #1 Results
Does your student participate in APS Arts Programs (check all that apply)?:

13
61 37
AHS Drama

Instrumental Music
36

Vocal Music

None

155
N/A
 Community Survey #1 Results
Please rate the arts facilities.
• “The upper balcony is concerning for young
children. Need better guard rails.”
100
90 • “I know the audio needs to be updated in the
90
78 auditorium. APS was told a few years ago they
80 had to update the system to be compliant with
70 regulations, and it was not done and is now not
60 compliant. I also know that there are some things
50 in the auditorium that need fixing, too. The space
itself is beautiful and I love it.”
40
30 25 • “Adequate seating. Crowded/congested access
20 to the auditorium during events.”
10 1 3
• “It is sometimes difficult for handicapped.”
0
1 2 3 4 5
Scale of 1 (unacceptable/unsafe) to 5 (excellent)
 Community Survey #1 Results
Please rate the importance of Do you believe your student(s) has Do you believe your student(s) has
technology to the learning good access to technology at good access to technology at
experience of students. school? home?
250 140 129 160 147
198 120 140
200
100 95 120

150 100
80
80
60 51 63
100 60
67
40 35
40 27 25
50 34 16
20 8 20
5 4
0 0 0
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Scale of 1 (not important) to Scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to Scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to
5 (extremely important) 5 (strongly believe) 5 (strongly believe)

Would you support the
replacement of outdated
computers and tablets to support
the needs of the curriculum?
Community Survey #1 Results
Would you support the purchase Would you support upgrading
of additional computers and technology infrastructure to
devices to increase student increase accessibility to WIFI?
accessibility?

18 17 7 17
15 18

272 271 280

Yes No NA Yes No NA Yes No NA

 Community Survey #1 Results

District Administration and the Board of Education are

studying the possibility of a school bond proposal in
order to address district needs. A bond proposal allows
the voters of a school district to authorize the public 107
school district to borrow money for capital expenditures
by selling bonds. Proceeds can be invested in new
construction, additions, remodeling, site improvements,
athletic facilities, playgrounds, furnishings, equipment,
and technology – typically items that cannot be paid 173
for with the general fund. Funds generated by a bond
issue cannot be used for district employee salaries. No
decisions have been made. However, based on the
information provided, do you believe that the district’s 24
site and facility needs warrant a bond proposal?

Yes No Unsure/Need More Information


• It seems hard to know how to comment on
improvements for a program that is not fully
operating at this time.
• L.E. White middle school needs remodeled and
enlarged.
• Safety and security should be #1 followed by
educational opportunities, facilities
upgrades/maintenance including the performing
arts facility, and athletic facility improvements.
• Are we looking at restructuring our Elementary
buildings and moving to 1 building?
• Since enrollments have drop over the years, to
have one K-5 building to house all students would
be great.
Community Survey #1 Results
• I am glad that the Board of Education is not using
a "its good enough" approach to keeping
facilities and learning environments up-to-date.
• Please be open and honest about this process
and the project itself . I feel that so many things
have been sprung on parents/staff members.
• I would like additional information on the
expenditures of our previous bond.
• To truly form an educated opinion, I would need
to know what technology the other buildings are
lacking that warrants a bond issue, and what
exactly would make the buildings safer.
• Administration need to observe facilities from
other districts that have made recent
improvements. Implement improvements that
have data supporting learning growth and
community benefit.