Budget Survey - cms.k12.nc.us · Budget Survey Survey Results and Analysis Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. January 23 – February 8, 2013

Budget SurveySurvey Results and Analysis

Charlotte-Mecklenburg SchoolsJanuary 23 – February 8, 2013

Overview

The superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools invited parents, staff, students and community members to participate in a survey as part of a critical conversation about how best to determine budget priorities for the 2013-14 school year and beyond. The Budget Survey was designed to gather community input on significant programs and initiatives outlined in the superintendent’s 100-day report, The Way Forward: Listening, learning and the case for change.

Survey topics included: Budget Funding Sources and Budget Types School Security and Student Safety Budget Priorities Employee Compensation Class Size

More than 11,000 people took the survey between January 23 and February 8, 2013.

2© 2013 K12 Insight

Executive SummaryBudget Funding Awareness

The majority of respondents are aware of funding sources for the annual CMS budget and factors that affect the CMS budget (e.g., the economy, enrollment patterns and new initiatives)

Only 34% of respondents knew the North Carolina Education Lottery provided funds for CMS teacher positions and about $10 million for school capital needs

A slight majority of respondents (54%) reported awareness that the total CMS budget has two distinct budget types which must be kept separate: Operating Budget and Capital Budget

Safety Measures More than 80% of respondents indicated camera monitoring and buzz-in systems at elementary school entryways are “Very

Important” or “Important” 80% of staff members identified card keys for elementary school employees as “Very Important” or “Important” so front doors

can remain locked

Budget Priorities 91% of respondents identified equipping teachers with basic tools to provide technology-integrated learning environments and

86% thought expanding the network infrastructure in all schools was “Very Important” or “Important” 91% of respondents reported salaries for teachers should be increased to be more competitive as “Very Important” or

“Important”

Employee Compensation 90% of all respondents agreed salaries for teachers should be increased to be more competitive

Class Size 48% of respondents indicated class sizes should be reduced despite the cost 41% indicated class sizes should remain unchanged


Participation

Staff and parents were invited to participate via an email with a unique link to the survey. Students were given the opportunity to participate through a public access link on the district’s website. Community members could also participate via the public access link.


Responding GroupNumber of Responses

Parents 4,077

Staff 6,201

Students 141

Community Members 973

Total Responses 11,392

36%

54%

1%9%

Parents Staff

Students Community Members

Funding Sources

Did you know that all of the money for CMS' total annual budget comes from local, state and federal sources?


90%

88%

92%

77%

91%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Overall

Parents

Staff

Students

Community Members

"Yes"

Lottery Funding

Did you know that in school year 2011-12, the North Carolina Education Lottery provided funding through the state specifically for CMS teacher positions, and about $10 million in funding to the county for school capital needs?


34%

32%

35%

26%

39%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Overall

Parents

Staff

Students

Community Members

"Yes"

Budget Types

Are you aware that the total annual CMS budget is made up of two distinct budgets that must be kept separate?


54%

48%

56%

25%

64%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Overall

Parents

Staff

Students

Community Members

"I know about this."

Per Pupil Expenditure

At $8,565 per pupil, North Carolina is ranked 42nd nationally in average per pupil expenditure. The budgeted CMS per pupil expenditure for 2012-2013 is $8,589. Were you aware of these facts?


33%

26%

36%

23%

40%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Overall

Parents

Staff

Students

Community Members

"Yes"

Effects on Budget

Are you aware there are several factors that affect the budget, such as the state of the economy, student enrollment patterns and new initiatives?


89%

88%

91%

74%

90%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Overall

Parents

Staff

Students

Community Members

"I am aware of these factors."

Safety Measures

The safety of students and staff is the highest priority at CMS. As part of the budget development process, the school district is exploring other opportunities to further strengthen security measures in CMS schools. Indicate the level of importance you would give each topic. Answer Options: Very Important, Important, Somewhat Important, Not Important, No Opinion


81%

77%

76%

70%

65%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Camera monitoring and buzz-in systems at entryways, to maintain a single point of access at every elementary

school

Card keys for elementary school employees so front doors can remain locked

Strategic fencing for mobiles at all school sites to ensure mobile access only through the school building

Install internal and external camera systems for all elementary and middle schools

Hire more security associates

"Very Important" or "Important"

Budget Priorities

As we look to develop the SY2013-14 budget and beyond, we welcome your thoughts on allocating resources based on what you think is most important to advance student achievement. Indicate the level of importance you would give each topic. Answer Options:Very Important, Important, Somewhat Important, Not Important, No Opinion


91%

86%

83%

82%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Equip teachers with basic tools to provide technology-integrated learning environments.

Expand network infrastructure to enable connectivity and access to technology to provide 21st century learning environments in all schools.

Enhance school-based security measures to provide students, staff and families with a safe learning

environment.

Provide professional learning focused on continuously improving effectiveness for all

employees.


Budget Priorities

Indicate the level of importance you would give each topic. Answer Options: Very Important, Important, Somewhat Important, Not Important, No Opinion


77%

76%

70%

69%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Expand academic program offerings for gifted and advanced students.

Support efforts to help prepare high school graduates for career and college success, such as funding Advanced

Placement and International Baccalaureate test fees and industry certification fees.

Expand school-based staffing to assist with matching student and staff needs with community services and

business partners.

Improve access to accurate and meaningful data to monitor, measure and improve district performance and

increase data-based decisions.


Budget Priorities



64%

62%

55%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Expand the menu of educational choices for students, including new magnet schools, new

innovative programs in traditional schools, evening schools and other options.

Expand diversity efforts to help nurture a culture of inclusion and multi-cultural respect across the

district.

Increase number of Pre-Kindergarten classes and add additional early childhood programs.


Salary Supplements

Did you know that CMS provides an annual monetary supplement to help boost teacher salaries, and that our supplement is one of the highest in the state?


47%

23%

63%

30%

47%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Overall

Parents

Staff

Students

Community Members

"Yes"

Employee Compensation

Typical for most school districts, the majority of the CMS operating budget (83%) is allocated to salary and benefits. The average annual salary for CMS teachers is about $46,000 which is about $10,000 less than the national average and $1,000 to $7,000 less than the average salary of teachers in neighboring states like Georgia, Virginia and South Carolina. This impacts CMS' ability to attract and retain the best teachers. Please let us know the degree to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.


2%

60%

6%

30%

33%

5%

59%

4%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Salaries for teachers should remain as they are.

Salaries for teachers should be increased to be more competitive with neighboring states and the national average. This may limit investment in other strategic

initiatives.

Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree

Class Size

Smaller class size is a common request by parents and teachers. Reducing class size requires more resources, such as additional staff and classrooms. Here are some important facts you should know related to class size: Adding one teacher in every CMS school costs about $9.6 million, while building one additional classroom costs about $130,000. Given these facts, to what degree do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?


7%

19%

34%

29%

37%

35%

16%

9%

6%

7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Class sizes should remain unchanged given the cost tradeoff

Class sizes should be reduced despite the cost, even if that reduction comes at the expense of programs that

drive academic achievement

Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree No Opinion

Next Steps


• Input from this survey will be considered as part of the budget development process for 2013-2014.

This report will be posted on the CMS Budget Information website at http://www.cms.k12.nc.us.

Appendix

Safety Measures by Respondent Group (Slides 19 and 20) Budget Priorities by Respondent Group (Slides 21-25) Employee Compensation by Respondent Group (Slide 26) Class Size by Respondent Group (Slide 27)


Safety Measures

Answer Options: Very Important, Important, Somewhat Important, Not Important, No Opinion


80%

73%

82%

80%

67%

63%

78%

72%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Camera monitoring and buzz-in systems at entryways, to maintain a single point of access at

every elementary school

Card keys for elementary school employees so front doors can remain locked


Parents Staff Students Community Members

Safety Measures

Answer Options: Very Important, Important, Somewhat Important, Not Important, No Opinion


73%

69%

62%

80%

71%

69%

49%

61%

57%

70%

69%

58%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Strategic fencing for mobiles at all school sites to ensure mobile access only through the school

building

Install internal and external camera systems for all elementary and middle schools

Hire more security associates



Budget Priorities



82%

64%

85%

63%

67%

77%

78%

65%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Enhance school-based security measures to provide students, staff and families with a safe

learning environment.

Expand the menu of educational choices for students, including new magnet schools, new

innovative programs in traditional schools, evening schools and other options.



Budget Priorities



44%

85%

62%

88%

43%

74%

61%

81%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Increase number of Pre-Kindergarten classes and add additional early childhood programs.

Expand network infrastructure to enable connectivity and access to technology to provide 21st century learning environments in all schools.



Budget Priorities



89%

65%

93%

72%

84%

69%

85%

67%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Equip teachers with basic tools to provide technology-integrated learning environments.

Improve access to accurate and meaningful data to monitor, measure and improve district

performance and increase data-based decisions.



Budget Priorities



83%

65%

82%

74%

76%

63%

81%

67%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Provide professional learning focused on continuously improving effectiveness for all

employees.

Expand school-based staffing to assist with matching student and staff needs with

community services and business partners.



Budget Priorities



54%

78%

76%

67%

77%

76%

64%

86%

91%

61%

77%

70%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Expand diversity efforts to help nurture a culture of inclusion and multi-cultural respect across the

district.

Expand academic program offerings for gifted and advanced students.

Support efforts to help prepare high school graduates for career and college success, such as funding

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate test fees and industry certification fees.



Employee Compensation

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Answer Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, No Opinion


10%

87%

5%

94%

16%

84%

13%

86%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Salaries for teachers should remain as they are.

Salaries for teachers should be increased to be more competitive with neighboring states

and the national average. This may limit investment in other strategic initiatives.

"Strongly Agree" or "Agree"


Class Size

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Answer Options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree, No Opinion


43%

43%

39%

52%

43%

38%

39%

46%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Class sizes should remain unchanged given the cost tradeoff

Class sizes should be reduced despite the cost, even if that reduction comes at the expense of programs that drive academic

achievement

"Strongly Agree" or "Agree"


Documents

Budget Survey - cms.k12.nc.us · Budget Survey Survey Results and Analysis Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. January 23 – February 8, 2013