NFAS Budget Survey -- Community Results

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responses

Summary See complete responses Please identify your position within the HHH school district.

Student currently attending school in HHH

Recent graduate of the HHH school district (within the last five years)

Graduate of the HHH school district (greater than five years since gra Parent of student(s) currently enrolled in the HHH school dsitrict

Parent of student(s) who has/have all graduated from the HHH schoo Community member who has not had children attend HHH Civic Leader/Business Leader/Political Official Teacher Administrator Other staff member.

Other

District Questions The following are questions similar to those on the district's budget survey. Please respond accordingly.

Do you think public education is a wise investment?

Yes, I believe it is.

No, I do not believe it is.

136

99%

1

1%

What is your opinion on the cost of public education, when compared to its benefits?

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I believe the cost is too high, for the benefits provided I believe the cost is fair, for the benefits provided I believe the cost is a bargain, relative to the benefits provided I do not know, or I'm not sure

Please indicate all of the schools which you and/or your child(ren) attended, if applicable.

Chestnut Hill

23

23%

Vanderbilt

15

15%

Forest Park

19

19%

Paumanok

9

9%

Signal Hill

17

17%

Otsego

15

15%

Sunquam

10

10%

West Hollow

40

40%

Candlewood

37

37%

High School East

48

48%

High School West

30

30%

Burrs Lane (for graduates and parents)

3

3%

The Hills School (for graduates and parents)

3

3%

Taukomas (for graduates and parents)

1

1%

Sweet Hollow (for graduates and parents)

1

1%

People may select more than one checkbox, so percentages may add up to more than 100%.

Transportation Half Hollow Hills provides bus service for all students, to and from school. Additionally, Half Hollow Hills runs buses for field trips, extra-curricular late buses, and buses for athletics. According to the district: "If we eliminate these K-12 afterschool/field trip bus runs, the estimated savings would be $200,000". This would include the middle and high school afterschool buses (3:45), the high school athletic routes (~5:30pm), elementary after school routes, and field trip transportation.

Do you support the complete elimination of after-school/field-trip runs, at an estimated savings of $200,000?

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Yes

24

18%

No

113

82%

Do you support a merge of the High School athletic and activity busses?

Yes No

95

69%

42

31%

Do you believe students within close proximity to their corresponding school building should be provided with district-run transp Yes No

Yes, but only for the younger students. Older students should walk/use

Do you have an additional comments on transportation?

Facilities Note: This page has been written with the intent to maintain compatibility with the district survey. NFAS is not in the position to make alternative suggestions regarding building closures. If you would like to propose alternative action (in respect to facilities), please include such action in the comments field.

Understanding that it costs approximately $235,000 to keep the natatorium (pool facility) open each year (after generated income is subtracted) do you support keeping the natatorium (pool facility) open?

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Yes, keep it open.

73

53%

No, close the facility.

64

47%

Do you support closing Chestnut Hill Elementary School, requiring a partial redistricting of students ? This closing would also req changes in secondary school feeding patterns and have an approximate savings of $1 million.

Yes, close the facility, and redistrict Chestnut Hill students.

Yes, close the facility, and redistrict the entire elementary student body No, keep it open.

Do you support closing Candlewood Middle School which would include the following reconfiguration: Elementary grades K - 6; one Middle School grades 7 - 8; High Schools grades 9 - 12 for an approximate savings of $2.5 million?

Yes, close the facility. 56 41% No, keep it open.

80

58%

Do you support the reconfiguration of the elementary buildings to be K-6 for the 2013-14 school year with an approximate savings of $1 million? This scenario would require the closing of Candlewood Middle School for the 2014-15 school year.

Yes, reconfigure and close Candlewood. 64 47% No, do not reconfigure.

73

53%

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Do you support closing High School West with the following reconfiguration: Elementary grades K-6; Middle Schools grades 7-9; close High School West and have High School East grades 10-12 (approximate enrollment of 2,500 students)? There would be no changes to the instructional program at the high school level and the approximate savings is $5 million.

Yes, reconfigure and close HSW. 34 25% No, do not reconfigure.

103

75%

Do you have any other comments about district facilities, redistricting, or reconfiguring the current grade distribution?

Academic Programs The following academic programs are being considered in the budget reduction process. Please indicate whether you would agree, or disagree with this reduction.

Reduce full-day kindergarten to half-day for an approximate savings of $1 million.

Agree 55 Disagree

82

40% 60%

Eliminate Academically High Aptitude Program (AHAP) and enrichment programs for an approximate savings of $500,000.

Agree 88 64% Disagree

49

36%

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Eliminate elementary band, orchestra and chorus (band, orchestra and chorus to begin in middle school) for an approximate savings of $590,000.

Agree 38 28% Disagree

99

Eliminate elementary health teachers for an approximate savings of $200,000.

Agree 103 Disagree

34

Eliminate elementary summer school for an estimated savings of $250,000.

Agree 98 Disagree

72%

75% 25%

72%

39

28%

Eliminate high school summer school for an estimated savings of $100,000.

Agree 55

40%

Disagree

82

60%

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Eliminate teaming and shift to an eight-period day at the middle schools for an estimated savings of $1.5 million.

Agree 98 Disagree

39

72% 28%

Change high school schedule to an eight-period day (approximate savings of $1.5 million).

Agree 48 35% Disagree

89

65%

Agree

68

50%

Disagree

69

50%

Agree

59

43%

Disagree

78

57%

Eliminate drivers' education (approximate savings of $230,000).

Close the Planetarium (approximate savings of $100,000).

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Close the Discovery Center (approximate savings of $100,000).

Agree

90

66%

Disagree

47

34%

47

34%

90

66%

Eliminate the Research Program (approximate savings of $220,000).

Agree Disagree

Do you have any further comments, ideas, or suggestions regarding academic programs within HHH.

Extra-Curricular Activities The following extra-curricular activities are being considered in the budget reduction process. Please indicate whether or not you support this reduction.

Eliminate all after school clubs and intramurals at elementary level to save approximately $30,000.

1 -Strongly Disagree 44 32% 2

34

25%

3

35

26%

4 -Strongly Agree

24

18%

Strongly DisagreeStrongly Agree

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Eliminate all after school clubs at middle schools to save approximately $150,000.

1 -Strongly Disagree 2

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74

54%

46

34%

3

9

7%

4 -Strongly Agree

8

6%

Strongly DisagreeStrongly Agree

Eliminate all middle school athletic teams to save approximately $400,000.

1 -Strongly Disagree 67 2

37

49% 27%

3

19

14%

4 -Strongly Agree

14

10%

Combine high school junior varsity and varsity teams to save approximately $600,000.

1 -Strongly Disagree 58

42%

Strongly DisagreeStrongly Agree

2

23

17%

3

22

16%

4 -Strongly Agree

34

25%

Strongly DisagreeStrongly Agree

Do you have any comments, suggestions, or insight regarding extra-curricular activities offered within Half Hollow Hills.

Building Staff

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Reduce building-level administrative positions.

1 -Strongly Disagree

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7

5%

2

18

13%

3

34

25%

4 -Strongly Agree

78

57%

11

8%

2

22

16%

3

33

24%

4 -Strongly Agree

71

52%

Strongly DisagreeStrongly Agree

Reduce subject area administrative positions.

1 -Strongly Disagree

Strongly DisagreeStrongly Agree

Reduce the number of guidance counselors at the middle-school level.

1 -Strongly Disagree 12 9% 2

23

17%

3

29

21%

4 -Strongly Agree

73

53%

Strongly DisagreeStrongly Agree

Reduce the number of guidance counselors at the high school level.

1 -Strongly Disagree 61 45% 2

30

22%

3

20

15%

4 -Strongly Agree

26

19%

Strongly DisagreeStrongly Agree

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Reduce the presence of bathroom monitors at the high schools.

1 -Strongly Disagree 28 20% 2

28

20%

3

28

20%

4 -Strongly Agree

53

39%

Strongly DisagreeStrongly Agree

The District currently employs security guards, for a total cost of $550,000, who are assigned to each of its buildings. Are you in favor of keeping the entire security force in place for the 2013-14 school year?

1 -Strongly Disagree 16 12% 2

27

20%

3

26

19%

4 -Strongly Agree

68

50%

Strongly DisagreeStrongly Agree

Do you have any further comments, suggestions, ideas or insight into building staff?

Teaching Staff

How do you believe Half Hollow Hills teachers are paid?

1 -Very Poorly 3

2%

2

50

36%

3 -Very Well

84

61%

Very Poorly Very Well

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How would you rate the benefits provided to teachers in the district?

1 -Not enough 0 0% 2

76

55%

3 -Too many

61

45%

Not enough Too many

How would you rate the quality of instruction in the HHH school district?

1 -Very Poor 1

Very Poor

1%

2

5

4%

3

34

25%

4

60

44%

5 -Very Good

37

27%

Very Good

Are you in support of the current teacher tenure system?

Yes

14

10%

No

81

59%

I'm not sure

41

30%

Do you have any additional comments, suggestions, ideas or insight concerning teaching staff?

Administrative Staff For the purposes of this page, administrative staff consists of superintendents, department coordinators and directors, as well as other supporting central-office staff.

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How would you rate the pay of district administrators?

1 -Too Low 0

Too Low

0%

2

1

1%

3

24

18%

4

37

27%

5 -Too High

75

55%

Too High

How would you describe the quantity of superintendents in the HHH district?

1 -Too Few

Too Few

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0

0%

2

55

40%

3 -Too Many

82

60%

Too Many

How would you describe the quantity of directors and coordinators in the HHH district?

1 -Too Few 0 0% 2

54

39%

3 -Too Many

83

61%

Do you believe Central Office could be more efficient?

1 -No 5

4%

Too Few

Too Many

2 3 -Yes

32

23%

100

73%

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No

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Yes

Do you believe district administration is effective?

1 -No, very ineffective

13

9%

2

22

16%

3

67

49%

4

29

21%

6

4%

15

11%

5 -Yes, very effective

No, very ineffectiveYes, very effective

Are you satisfied with the current administrative staff?

1 -No, very displeased 2

28

20%

3

57

42%

4

31

23%

6

4%

5 -Yes, very pleased

No, very displeasedYes, very pleased

In exchange for a temporary pay freeze, the administrative contract was appended with a no-termination stipulation. Do you agree with this stipulation?

Yes 11 8% No

84

61%

I'm not sure

41

30%

Do you believe administrative staff should be relocated, and Manasquan leased?

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Yes

89

65%

No

48

35%

50

36%

87

64%

Do you believe administrative staff exhibits sufficient transparency?

Yes No

Do you believe administrative staff could have prevented the current budget shortfall?

Yes 84 61% No

53

39%

Do you believe administration has been honest and forthcoming regarding the budget planning process?

Yes 58 42% No

78

57%

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Do you have any additional comments, suggestions, ideas or insight concerning the current HHH administrative staff.

Have you ever filed a FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) request with the school district?

Yes 9 7% No

128

93%

Students

Which grade are you in Fifth

0

0%

Sixth

1

1%

Seventh

0

0%

Eighth

1

1%

Ninth

6

4%

Tenth

21

15%

Eleventh Twelfth

6

4%

11

8%

Community Leaders

Please provide a title for your role in the community

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Please describe the duties of your position in the community

Do you pay a portion of property tax to the HHH school district?

No responses yet for this question.

FOIL

How would you rate your experience with your FOIL request 1 -Very Poor 0

Very Poor

0%

2

2

1%

3

6

4%

4

0

0%

5 -Very Good

1

1%

Very Good

Do you have any further comments regarding a FOIL request.

Board of Education

Do you believe the Board of Ed exhibits sufficient transparency?

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Do you consider the Board of Ed to be effective?

1 -No, Not Effective

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Yes

49

36%

No

88

64%

21

15%

2

34

25%

3

50

36%

4

24

18%

8

6%

5 -Yes, Very Effective

No, Not EffectiveYes, Very Effective

Do you think the Board of Education could have prevented the current budget shortfall?

Yes 83 61% No

54

39%

Do you believe the Board of Education has been honest and forthcoming regarding the budget planning process?

Yes 60

44%

No

76

55%

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Are you in favor of the current Board of Education?

1 -No 15 11%

No

2

32

23%

3

62

45%

4

16

12%

5 -Yes

12

9%

Yes

Do you have any additional comments, suggestions, ideas or insights regarding the HHH Board of Education?

District Funding

In developing the current 2012-13 budget, the District utilized $4.25 million of its reserves (an increase of $500,000 from the year prior) and an additional $5.25 million of fund balance (an increase of $750,000 from the prior year) to help balance the budget. Do you support increasing the use of District reserves and fund balance to maintain programs and/or lower the tax levy for 2013-14?

1 -Do Not Reccomend 10 7% 2

27

20%

3

53

39%

4 -Strongly Reccomend

47

34%

Do Not ReccomendStrongly Reccomend

School districts are legally able, by "piercing the cap", to increase the tax levy beyond that which the Property Tax Levy Cap formula would allow. Would you be in support of piercing the cap in order to maintain some District programs?

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Yes

80

58%

No

57

42%

If the District were to present a budget which had reductions but also pierced the cap, at what percent over the cap would you support?

I do not support piercing the cap.

45 33% 1-2% above the Property Tax Levy Cap formula percent

48

35%

3-4% above the Property Tax Levy Cap formula percent

28

20%

5% above the Property Tax Levy Cap formula percent

16

12%

Do you have any other comments, statements, ideas or insight regarding district funding?

The National Federation of American Students Note: The responses to the following questions will *not* be provided to the school district.

Do you believe that students in the district should be provided with a forum to express their opinions adequately to the community, Board of Education and administration?

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Yes

124

91%

No

6

4%

I'm not sure

7

5%

Do you believe students have sufficient opportunities to express their opinions, regarding their education?

Yes 18 13% Most of the time

20

15%

Occasionally

37

27%

No

46

34%

I'm not sure

16

12%

7

5%

6

4%

Occasionally

36

26%

No

63

46%

I'm not sure

25

18%

Do you believe the administration and Board of Education properly considers the expressed opinions of students, when making decisions?

Yes Most of the time

Do you have any further comments, suggestions, ideas or insights about the involvment of the student in the district's decisionmaking process?

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Do you have any further comments, suggestions, ideas or insights, regarding anything not discussed?

Thank you!

(Please click submit below) Please be sure to click submit below. A confirmation will be displayed when your answers are recorded properly.

Number of daily responses

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