Clinton City Board of Education member Carol Worley questions the accessibility of a survey conducted by the school system that was seeking the public’s opinion on the effectiveness of the school system.

Clinton City Schools officials are seeking the input of the system’s staff and community members through a survey, but based on information that arose during Monday night’s meeting, those efforts may be in vain.

According to Faith Jackson, community liaison and grant writer for Clinton City Schools, the system recently posted surveys online, allowing the schools system to inquire the public on their opinion of how the needs of students are being met.

Board member Carol Worley questioned the accessibility of that survey during the board’s meeting Monday night, stating she had received comments from the public that they either didn’t know about the survey in time to complete it by the deadline, or they were unable to access the survey because of a defunct link.

“It was brought to my attention that some parents were asking how to access the survey,” Worley stated. “Others were stating they received a reminder to complete the survey, but never received the original email to complete.”

The surveys, Jackson said, were posted online in May, with a deadline of June 1. There are four different surveys available, with one for students, one for parents, one for the staff and one for the community.

The survey geared for parents and staff wanted information that would help the system better meet the needs of the students. The survey for the staff asked participants how the system could improve the services provided through Clinton City Schools, while the community survey was seeking input on how to better serve the students, staff, parents and community.

Worley, out of concern, questioned Jackson during the meeting, asking how the survey was made public and accessible to everyone involved.

“What did we do to get the survey to the parents and the community,” Worley asked.

According to Jackson, an email was sent to all staff of Clinton City Schools with the survey link attached. The media coordinators at the schools allowed students in grades 1, 2, 4, 7 and 11 time to complete the student surveys in school. The survey links were available on the school system’s website, as well.

“I would suggest that if it is a district initiative, we send out a Connect-Ed message to let parents know,” Worley suggested. “I didn’t get anything and the parents I have talked with didn’t get the email the first time.”

To date, Jackson said about 200 students have completed the surveys, while about 150 parents have completed the surveys.

“I would suggest on future surveys that we try a different method,” Worley added.

During the meeting, the board voted on other business, approving:

• 2015-2016 fee schedule;

• submission of the application for the public school building capital fund to the N.C. Education Lottery;

• an agreement to participate in the NCSBA Trust Errors and Omissions/General Liability Fund;

• an agreement to participate in the NCSBA Trust Errors and Omissions/General Automobile/Inland Marine Fund;

• field trip requests; and

• fundraiser requests.

Following a nearly three hour closed-session that addressed personnel matters and a student matter, the board reconvened to vote to approve the personnel packet as presented and adjourn the meeting.