Wiscasset School Department

Wed, 11/23/2016 - 8:15am

SUSAN JOHNS

For a second year, parents, school staff and the community at large can weigh in on the next Wiscasset school budget, via an online survey Superintendent of Schools Heather Wilmot is running.

Wilmot used one in planning her first Wiscasset budget in 2015; the results and input from the School Committee helped her prioritize spending in the budget draft she gave the committee. This year’s survey has the same goal.

“I feel strongly that as a part of the budget development process ... it is my responsibility to seek out ways to collect perspectives from a cross-section of stakeholder groups,” Wilmot wrote in an email response to the Wiscasset Newspaper’s questions. “The high participation rate (130-plus) in last year's budget input survey underscored for me that people appreciate opportunities to share their preferences and priorities.

“I have used survey data throughout my work as Superintendent of Schools and I have received positive feedback ... Participants have shared with me that they have appreciated having their voice heard. In addition, (they) have indicated to me that the web-based/electronic approach has been user-friendly, responsive to their busy lifestyles and allows for anonymity,” Wilmot added.

The survey went live at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V7KXGBC at 4 p.m. Nov. 22. No internet? No problem. Wilmot said copies are available at the central office at 225 Gardiner Road and Wiscasset Community Center at 242 Gardiner Road. The survey ends Dec. 12.

According to Wilmot, in the first two hours, the survey was taken 20 times. She uses an app to monitor the response rate.

Like last year’s budget survey, the new one offers a seven-point scale to rate each spending area anywhere from “not important at all” to “extremely important.” And survey-takers again get an open-ended question to say anything else they think the department should consider in planning the budget.

Besides the spending questions, the survey also seeks feedback on the early release days the department started this school year. Wilmot said the time after students leave serves as high-quality, cost-effective, training time for staff to focus on interventions, data and the proficiency-based education the state has moved to for high school diplomas.

Regarding the three survey questions on early release, she explained: “Even though it is only late fall/early winter, it is important to me that we begin thinking about the school department's calendar in advance; and, if there is something that we can do to improve the early release process, I want to be proactive and thinking ahead.”