Budget Survey Survey Results and Analysis Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools January 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
Executive Summary Budget 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 3
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. Number of Responding Group Responses Parents 4,077 36% Staff 6,201 Students 141 54% Community Members 973 Total Responses 11,392 9% 1% Parents Staff Students Community Members 4
Funding Sources Did you know that all of the money for CMS' total annual budget comes from local, state and federal sources? Overall Parents Staff 90% 88% 92% Students 77% Community Members 91% "Yes" 5
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? Overall 34% Parents 32% Staff 35% Students 26% Community Members 39% "Yes" 6
Budget Types Are you aware that the total annual CMS budget is made up of two distinct budgets that must be kept separate? Overall 54% Parents 48% Staff 56% Students 25% Community Members 64% "I know about this." 7
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? Overall 33% Parents 26% Staff 36% Students 23% Community Members 40% "Yes" 8
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? Overall 89% Parents 88% Staff 91% Students 74% Community Members 90% "I am aware of these factors." 9
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 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 81% 77% 76% 70% Hire more security associates 65% "Very Important" or "Important" 10
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 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. 91% 86% 83% 82% "Very Important" or "Important" 11
Budget Priorities Indicate the level of importance you would give each topic. Answer Options: Very Important, Important, Somewhat Important, Not Important, No Opinion Expand academic program offerings for gifted and advanced students. 77% 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. 70% 76% Improve access to accurate and meaningful data to monitor, measure and improve district performance and increase data-based decisions. 69% "Very Important" or "Important" 12
Budget Priorities Indicate the level of importance you would give each topic. Answer Options: Very Important, Important, Somewhat Important, Not Important, No Opinion 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. 64% 62% Increase number of Pre-Kindergarten classes and add additional early childhood programs. 55% "Very Important" or "Important" 13
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? Overall 47% Parents 23% Staff 63% Students 30% Community Members 47% "Yes" 14
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. Salaries for teachers should remain as they are. 2% 6% 33% 59% 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. 60% 30% 5% 4% Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree 15
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? Class sizes should be reduced despite the cost, even if that reduction comes at the expense of programs that drive academic achievement 19% 29% 35% 9% 7% Class sizes should remain unchanged given the cost tradeoff 7% 34% 37% 16% 6% Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree No Opinion 16
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. 17
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) 18
Safety Measures Answer Options: Very Important, Important, Somewhat Important, Not Important, No Opinion Camera monitoring and buzz-in systems at entryways, to maintain a single point of access at every elementary school 67% 80% 82% 78% Card keys for elementary school employees so front doors can remain locked 73% 80% 63% 72% "Very Important" or "Important" Parents Staff Students Community Members 19
Safety Measures Answer Options: Very Important, Important, Somewhat Important, Not Important, No Opinion Strategic fencing for mobiles at all school sites to ensure mobile access only through the school building 49% 73% 80% 70% Install internal and external camera systems for all elementary and middle schools Hire more security associates 69% 71% 61% 69% 62% 69% 57% 58% "Very Important" or "Important" Parents Staff Students Community Members 20
Budget Priorities Indicate the level of importance you would give each topic. Answer Options: Very Important, Important, Somewhat Important, Not Important, No Opinion 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. 67% 64% 63% 65% 82% 85% 78% 77% "Very Important" or "Important" Parents Staff Students Community Members 21
Budget Priorities Indicate the level of importance you would give each topic. Answer Options: Very Important, Important, Somewhat Important, Not Important, No Opinion 44% Increase number of Pre-Kindergarten classes and add additional early childhood programs. 43% 62% 61% Expand network infrastructure to enable connectivity and access to technology to provide 21st century learning environments in all schools. 85% 88% 74% 81% "Very Important" or "Important" Parents Staff Students Community Members 22
Budget Priorities Indicate the level of importance you would give each topic. Answer Options: Very Important, Important, Somewhat Important, Not Important, No Opinion 89% Equip teachers with basic tools to provide technology-integrated learning environments. 84% 93% 85% Improve access to accurate and meaningful data to monitor, measure and improve district performance and increase data-based decisions. 65% 72% 69% 67% "Very Important" or "Important" Parents Staff Students Community Members 23
Budget Priorities Indicate the level of importance you would give each topic. Answer Options: Very Important, Important, Somewhat Important, Not Important, No Opinion 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. 83% 82% 76% 81% 65% 74% 63% 67% "Very Important" or "Important" Parents Staff Students Community Members 24
Budget Priorities Indicate the level of importance you would give each topic. Answer Options: Very Important, Important, Somewhat Important, Not Important, No Opinion 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. 54% 67% 64% 61% 78% 77% 86% 77% 76% 76% 91% 70% "Very Important" or "Important" Parents Staff Students Community Members 25
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 Salaries for teachers should remain as they are. 10% 5% 16% 13% 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. 87% 94% 84% 86% "Strongly Agree" or "Agree" Parents Staff Students Community Members 26
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 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 43% 39% 43% 39% 43% 52% 38% 46% "Strongly Agree" or "Agree" Parents Staff Students Community Members 27