Saint Paul Public School Board seeks public input regarding referendum

Saint Paul Public School Board seeks public input regarding referendum
6/30/2006 12:45 PM

Saint Paul Public School Board seeks public input regarding referendum

Saint Paul, Minn -- The Saint Paul Public School Board is asking for input from Saint Paul residents through a brief, important survey. The board is considering placing on the November 2006 ballot a renewal of the 2002 Referendum and would like to hear from the public prior to making a decision.

The public can take the survey two ways. An online survey is available at www.spps.org. Those who do not have computer access can take a phone survey at (651) 523-1414. The surveys are available in English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish.

“Hearing from community members, staff and students is very important to all of the board members,” said board chair, Elona Street-Stewart. “By offering an online and phone survey in English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish, we are hoping to get some solid data to help our decision making.”

Other efforts to procure input from the community have included a notice to parents in student report cards (of middle and senior high school students); focus groups; input from district advisory committees; and, an internal all-district e-mail to staff to participate in the survey.

Results of the online survey will be posted on the district’s homepage (www.spps.org) prior to the board’s decision by mid-summer. This year, the referendum provided approximately $16 million to the school district.