Nutrition, drug use top school concerns

By Staff
Tracy B. Cieniewicz, Hartselle Enquirer
The Morgan County Board of Education recently completed its first Online Needs Assessment Survey of the system's 19 schools. Parents, students, administration, faculty and support staff were asked to respond to the 18-section survey based on the 2005-2006 academic year.
Survey categories were Student Needs, Your Needs, Name of School, Special Education, Career/Technical Education, At-Risk, Professional Development, Transportation, Capital Improvements, Federal Programs, Technology, School Safety, Counseling, Child Nutrition, General/Misc. Comments, Describe Yourself, Community Education and Parental Involvement.
Of the approximately 3,010 people who were eligible to participate, 564, or 18 percent, responded. Faculty was the largest group to respond at 47 percent. Brewer High School and Priceville High School tied for the highest number of participants at 12 percent.
Each category contained questions with multiple-choice answers and the opportunity to leave feedback.
In the Student Needs category, special education, career/technical education, at-risk, professional development, transportation, capital improvement, federal programs, technology, school safety, counseling and child nutrition needs were addressed.
Child nutrition was the largest concern in this category with 7 percent "very unsatisfied" responses.
" I feel that the lunchroom meals are unhealthy for the children. Pizza is served daily with salad sometimes being the only vegetable. Please help!" one participant commented.
" I realize school lunch programs must meet financial balance, however, I do not see where French fries, burgers, and other high calorie, high fat foods are good educational nutrition," another participant responded.
However, in the Child Nutrition category, 43 percent were very satisfied with the friendliness and helpfulness of the foodservice staff. The response was tied for second for the largest amount of very satisfied responses throughout the entire survey.
Superintendent Don Murphy said Morgan County Schools have recently instituted a new child nutrition program with healthier guidelines.
"Child nutrition is definitely a priority and we are working to make the program better and healthier," Murphy said.
Counseling was second among the largest concerns in Students Needs with 5 percent "very unsatisfied," 9 percent "unsatisfied," 24 percent "neutral," 35 percent "satisfied" and 24 percent "very satisfied."
"I would like to see the counselors get more involved in my children's career planning and professional development. It helps to have someone other than a parent say, 'You can do this,'" one comment stated.
In Transportation, 42 percent were "very satisfied" that safety is always the number one consideration with transportation in the Morgan County School System. Comments for improvements included adding seat belts and video cameras to school buses.
In Federal Programs, participants were asked how satisfied they are that drugs are not a problem at their school. The question received the largest amount of "very unsatisfied" responses throughout the entire survey at 10 percent.
"We know that drugs are a problem and we are continually working with parents, teachers and staff to correct that problem," Murphy explained. "For instance, when I left my position as a principal eight years ago, we had never heard of crystal meth. We work diligently with our principals to stay abreast of the latest drug information to keep our students safe."
While only 7 percent responded "very unsatisfied" to schools meeting the requirements of NCLB (No Child Left Behind), the question received the most negative feedback in the Federal Programs category. While some simply stated that the NCLB should be eliminated, others gave specific reasons why they feel the program is a problem.
"I do not agree with the teacher's requirements for the NCLB. Other important curriculum standards are being ignored and children are still left behind."
"I think NCLB is leaving our students behind. I think we should have resource classes again!"
"It hurts the kids when all are grouped together in scoring."
"NCLB is great in theory alone, but not practical. Everyone learns and performs at different levels."
In School Safety, participants were asked how satisfied they are that school safety is a priority at their school. The question was tied for the largest amount of very satisfied responses throughout the entire survey at 43 percent. Comments for improvements included the addition of school resource officers and installing exterior school building doors that remain locked from the outside.
In Community Education, participants were asked how interested they would be in student tutoring for core curriculum and standardized testing, before and after school programs, community and school enrichment camps and classes, and GED classes. Computer and technology enrichment classes received the most interest at 55 percent.
"When you offer any education outside the school for students and parents or others, it makes the community very strong for years to come," one participant responded.
"I think some of the programs mentioned above would be very helpful to our community and could possibly help narrow the gap between community and school," another said.
In Parent Involvement, 58 percent strongly agreed that parents play an integral role in assisting student learning. Comments for improvements included better school web site updates for parents to see their child's assignments and upcoming activities.
Murphy said the information collected in the Online Needs Assessment Survey will be used by the Morgan County BOE to address concerns and needs expressed by all survey participants.
"You always need feedback," Murphy said. "We are very appreciative of the good comments and we appreciate the negative as well so we can investigate and address those issues."
The complete survey and its results can be viewed at www.morgank12.org/apps/mcna/results/.