School Budget Survey Results Show Class Size Important

Preserving class size is the most critical issue that faces New Rochelle public schools, according to a survey of district residents.

The New Rochelle City School District released the results Thursday of its for which respondents answered questions on line.

The survey found that 53.2 percent of those who took the survey said class size was the most important issue.

This was not a surprise to Superintendent Richard Organisciak.

"That has historically been the case in this district, and it speaks to the emphasis placed by the community on the quality of the educational experience for our students," he said in prepared statement.

Other findings from the survey included:

• 528 residents completed the survey
• 60.8 percent were parents or guardians of a current school-age student
• 33.3 percent were community members without a child in school
• 44.4 percent felt preserving Advanced Placement and other honors classes was most important
• 34.6 percent thought having up-to-date technology in classrooms was most critical
• 77 percent voted in most or all school elections in the last 10 years.
• 57.2 percent said they were motivated to vote because of programs being added, reduced or eliminated
• 23.6 percent said they were motivated to vote by the potential for their taxes to increase or decrease

Results from the survey will be used by district staff and the board of education to shape the 2011-12 budget.

The district held a , the first such event to be broadcast live via cable television and on the district's Web site. Over 100 people have viewed the video of that meeting on the Web site.

Board President Sara Richmond said she was delighted that so many residents took time to complete the survey.

"Coupled with the people who came out or watched the live broadcast of our Community Budget Forum, we are encouraged at the level of engagement in the school budget process so far and hope it continues," she said in a prepared statement.

The district will hold a School Budget Review Session at 7 p.m. March 2 at which time the proposed budget will be unveiled and explained. The session will be broadcast live from the New Rochelle High School Library on Cablevision Channel 77 and Verizon Channel 30, as well as on the district's Web site.