Post by title1parent on Oct 21, 2009 5:17:47 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=330540&src=76
Dist. 204 board members question survey methods
By Justin Kmitch | Daily Herald
Indian Prairie Unit District 204 has put on hold their attempts to survey the community after board members have raised questions about the techniques used to gather data.
The board members Monday night were set to approve a $17,750 contract with California-based Center for Community Opinion to survey 400 random community members about the district, when board member Christine Vickers objected to the "general business and political practices" of the organization.
"I'm all about data, gathering data and analyzing data, but what CCO does with the information and how it uses it against the people is a concern that I have."
According to the proposal laid out last month by J. Bradford Senden, partner of the CCO, the survey was to explore community reaction to and satisfaction with the district's classroom programs and student services. In addition, the questionnaire was to explore community reaction to the idea of retrofitting the district's school buildings to air-condition classrooms and offices.
Board member Alka Tyle also took issue with the company's technique of asking if the survey participants were registered voters, but was assured by staff that was common practice.
After failing to approve the contract, board member Dawn DeSart suggested bringing in other survey companies to rebid the project and address the other board members' questions.
Board President Curt Bradshaw said he would like a firm to be selected before too long to keep the survey plan as close to the original schedule as possible.
Initially Senden was to present survey results to the board by Nov. 23.
"We do still need to get an answer to those questions," Bradshaw said.
Dist. 204 board members question survey methods
By Justin Kmitch | Daily Herald
Indian Prairie Unit District 204 has put on hold their attempts to survey the community after board members have raised questions about the techniques used to gather data.
The board members Monday night were set to approve a $17,750 contract with California-based Center for Community Opinion to survey 400 random community members about the district, when board member Christine Vickers objected to the "general business and political practices" of the organization.
"I'm all about data, gathering data and analyzing data, but what CCO does with the information and how it uses it against the people is a concern that I have."
According to the proposal laid out last month by J. Bradford Senden, partner of the CCO, the survey was to explore community reaction to and satisfaction with the district's classroom programs and student services. In addition, the questionnaire was to explore community reaction to the idea of retrofitting the district's school buildings to air-condition classrooms and offices.
Board member Alka Tyle also took issue with the company's technique of asking if the survey participants were registered voters, but was assured by staff that was common practice.
After failing to approve the contract, board member Dawn DeSart suggested bringing in other survey companies to rebid the project and address the other board members' questions.
Board President Curt Bradshaw said he would like a firm to be selected before too long to keep the survey plan as close to the original schedule as possible.
Initially Senden was to present survey results to the board by Nov. 23.
"We do still need to get an answer to those questions," Bradshaw said.