Cedar Rapids school district survey going live Thursday

An online survey to collect public input on the Cedar Rapids school district's enrollment study launches Thursday.

The survey will outline facts about the district and ask for input on how the district should move forward.

The survey is open to district patrons, staff and the community at large.

School personnel will receive a link to the survey via e-mail. District families also will be notified via e-mail or through the district's telephone messaging system.

Community patrons will find a link to the survey on the district Web site at www.cr.k12.ia.us.

Families in the district without access to a computer will be able to use a computer in their child's school to complete the survey. Printed copies also will be provided upon request.

"We will do everything we can to make it work for them," Cedar Rapids spokeswoman Marcia Hughes said.

The three-part survey will include questions regarding the background of the district's enrollment and facilities studies, and ask for opinions on actions that may be part of the district's comprehensive solution.

The questions won't be specific. Instead of asking what school should close, the survey will ask respondents if school closings is something they support.

"We're really not testing the 'supposals,'" Superintendent Dave Benson said. "We're testing the concepts behind the 'supposals.'"

There will be a space where respondents can provide written comments, if they choose to do so.

Everyone who completes a survey will be asked to identify themselves as a parent, student, district employee or community member. Benson said this is to know and understand the relationship of the stakeholders responding to the survey.

"There may be different opinions held by stakeholders," Benson said. "Patrons at large may be more concerned about operating efficiently, while parents may be more concerned about where their kids go to school."

Technical support for the survey will be provided by K12 Insight, a Virginia-based company.  The survey will be open for two weeks.

Survey results will be shared with the enrollment committee at its Dec. 6 meeting. Results also will be posted on the district's Web site.

The enrollment committee is expected to make recommendations to the Cedar Rapids school board in early 2012.