Beginning this weekend, phones will be ringing across the Manhattan-Ogden School District, as a comprehensive survey of patron opinion will begin.
According to a press release from the district Friday, USD 383 officials said the survey of 400 households will provide insight into what residents think about the district’s strengths, challenges, and priorities. The survey, which the district says will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes, will touch on a wide variety of topics, and will include “pick one”-type questions, along with opportunities for residents to share their comments.
“This survey will give us an outstanding opportunity to hear from a cross-section of our patrons, their opinions about our performance, and what our priorities should be for the future,” said Eric Reid, Assistant Superintendent. “We’ll hear from all geographic parts of the district, people of all different ages, and everyone from newcomers to long-term residents.”
The survey was designed by Patron Insight, Inc., a Kansas City-based market research organization that has worked with school districts across the Midwest on similar research since 1992. The calling will be done by Kansas City-based Market Research Associates, a firm that uses only locally based, professional researchers. Participants will be selected totally at random, and all responses will be kept completely confidential.
In general, calls will be placed between 7 and 9 p.m. on weekdays, and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. While there may be some variation on those times, no calls will take place during the traditional dinner hour. The caller ID may show “Market Research Associates” or it may simply show an 816 or 913 area code, because the company uses calling facilities in both Missouri and Kansas.
For those who are not contacted at random on the phone, an online version of the survey will be available on the district’s website during the week of April 16 .
The survey process will take about two weeks to complete, and the district is asking patrons to listen for their phones to ring.
“We really want to hear from you,” said Reid. “So, if you get a phone call on this survey, please participate, and please let us know what you think.”
