Results from the online survey will be combined with input gathered at community-wide strategic planning sessions.
The Mt. Laurel community has one final chance to offer input into Mt. Laurel Schools’ ongoing “A Path to Success 2030” strategic planning initiative.
As part of the initiative, Mt. Laurel Schools has launched an online community survey where members of the public can share their thoughts on pressing issues facing students, as well as share what aspects of the district they feel the most pride toward.
The survey, available through a link on the district’s website, www.mtlaurelschools.org, is open to all stakeholders in the community, whether they are parents, residents without children, grandparents, business owners, civic leaders or those employed by the district.
Results from the online survey will be combined with input gathered at three, community-wide strategic planning sessions the district held in November and December, during which hundreds of Mt. Laurel’s stakeholders also offered their thoughts on the state of the district.
Once all input has been gathered, small committees of volunteer writers will gather to use the results to write a strategic plan that district officials will use to guide Mt. Laurel Schools for the next three years starting in July.
Superintendent George Rafferty asks community members to consider setting aside a few minutes to take the online survey.
“It’s a very straightforward and simple survey,” Rafferty said. “It’s meant to be completed by any community member, staff member or parent, and it’s that next step in our strategic planning initiative.”
During the planning sessions, members of the public identified eight priority areas for the district. Participants also offered solutions to remedy ongoing issues.
Those who complete the online survey can weigh in on some of sample suggestions that were previously offered by members of the public as possible areas the district should focus on in the future.
Some suggestions included uniformity of services, technology and programs at all six schools, continuous maintenance of both buildings and playgrounds, parent universities and workshops related to curriculum and programs, improved communication between schools and the home, implementation of a full-day kindergarten program, consistent inclusion/co-teaching in all schools and improved career exploration through community connections.
Members of the community can also use the survey to express their level of pride with aspects of Mt. Laurel Schools, such as the district’s academic programs, student achievement, athletic programs, extra-curricular programs, student organizations, use of taxpayer funds, district and school facilities, teaching staff and more.
The survey will also offer participants a chance to offer additional, open-ended comments about the district that may influence aspects of the final strategic plan.
“This is also another way for people to comment on the information we received at the three public events we held and affirm or disagree with what we’re seeing as trends into the future,” Rafferty said. “We just want to throw that out to people and ask them if they agree or disagree on what areas we should be focusing on based on what we’ve learned.”
The deadline to respond to the survey is Jan. 31. The district encourages all stakeholders in the community to add their voice and help shape the future of children’s education in Mt. Laurel.
The survey is also open to those who may have already participated in some or all the public strategic planning meetings.
To complete the survey, follow a link on the district’s homepage at www.mtlaurelschools.org.
