Survey Results Summary

Below is a summary of survey results.  As on December 5, 2025, there have been 819 survey responses.   The respondents include the following:

• 56.8% Parent/Guardian

• 20.8% Staff Member

• 10.6% Both Parent/Guardian and Staff Member

• 11.8% Community Member (no children currently in district)

1. Connection to the Harlem School District

The majority of respondents are parents/guardians, with a strong number of staff members also participating. This reflects robust engagement from both groups most affected by elementary restructuring.

2. If you are a parent/guardian, which schools do your child(ren) attend?

All elementary schools are represented, with the highest participation from families at Ralston, Olson Park, Loves Park, Maple, and Marquette. This provides a broad and geographically diverse snapshot of family perspectives districtwide.

3. If you are a staff member, where do you primarily work?

Responses include staff from every elementary building and several district-level roles. Participation is strongest among staff working in schools most directly impacted by Scenario 7.

4. Have you read the scenario or watched the board presentation?

Most respondents reviewed at least one source of information, showing high awareness and engagement with the consolidation proposal.

5. How clear is your understanding of Scenario 7?

Understanding is generally moderate to strong, with many respondents indicating they understand the structure but want more details on implementation, building usage, staffing, and student supports.

6. How much additional information do you feel you need?

A majority expressed the need for additional clarity, especially around transportation routes, staffing processes, class sizes, and how transitions would be supported across grade levels.

7. What questions do you still have about Scenario 7?

The most frequent questions involve:
– Transportation length and logistics
– Class sizes and student-teacher ratios
– Staffing decisions and placement
– Social-emotional impacts of frequent transitions
– Details about specific building layouts and use
– Financial projections and rationale

8. Scenario 7 seems like a reasonable way to balance enrollment.

Responses are mixed.
Some support the need to address imbalance, while many remain concerned that balancing enrollment may come at the expense of student stability and school identity.

9. Scenario 7 is a reasonable way to organize grade levels (K–1, 2–3, 4–5).

This remains the most divided question.
Across 819 responses, the dominant theme continues to be discomfort with increased student transitions and the separation of siblings.

10. Scenario 7 would support strong academic programming.

Respondents are uncertain. While some see potential benefits from balanced enrollment and centralized services, others fear that transitions and shifting relationships may disrupt academic consistency and momentum.

11. Scenario 7 would support social-emotional needs and relationships.

The majority express clear concern.
Respondents frequently note that relationships with teachers, peers, and staff play a critical role in early childhood development and may be disrupted by additional transitions.

12. The East/West feeder pattern feels logical.

Overall, respondents tend to find the feeder structure understandable and predictable; however, many still prioritize neighborhood proximity and stability over feeder alignment.

13. The proposed magnet school would benefit students and families.

Many express support for centralized specialized programs, believing this may strengthen service delivery. Concerns focus on access, transportation, and program capacity.

14. The district could successfully manage transitions under Scenario 7.

Respondents generally believe transition success is possible but highly dependent on planning, staffing, communication, and support systems. Many caution that implementation must be thorough and proactive.

15–20. Priorities (limiting transitions, proximity, feeder patterns, equity, program centralization)

Across all priority-based items, the strongest themes remain:
– Limiting the number of transitions
– Keeping students near neighborhood schools
– Maintaining predictable, simple feeder patterns
Equity and centralized program access are valued but ranked below stability-related concerns.

21. Biggest potential benefits of Scenario 7

Recurring benefits identified include:
– More balanced enrollment and class sizes
– More efficient building usage
– Strengthened specialized programming
– Greater consistency across elementary schools

A small but notable group identifies long-term financial stability as the primary benefit.

22. Concerns or challenges related to Scenario 7

With 819 responses, concerns remain consistent and strongly expressed:
– Increased transitions for young children
– Potential harm to social-emotional development
– Transportation length, routing, and reliability
– Loss of community identity tied to neighborhood schools
– Staffing stability and class size concerns
– Uncertainty about long-term financial benefit
– Impact on students with disabilities, ELs, and other groups needing continuity

23. Supports and safeguards needed

Respondents frequently recommend:
– Comprehensive transition planning for families and staff
– SEL and mental health supports during moves
– Early access to building information and tours
– Timely staffing assignments and communication
– Clear transportation schedules and expectations
– Intentional community-building in new grade-band schools

24. Alternative ideas or adjustments

Common alternatives remain consistent:
– Maintain K–5 buildings with adjusted boundaries
– Close fewer buildings
– Implement changes gradually
– Explore additional cost-saving measures outside school consolidation
– Reevaluate building selection criteria
– Consider different grade configurations

25. Final comments to the Board of Education

Across 819 responses, comments reflect:
– Strong emotional connection to current schools
– Desire for transparency and financial clarity
– Worries about stress, anxiety, and mental health impacts on children
– Appreciation for being asked to provide input
– Mixed views—some urging the Board to move forward, others urging the Board to halt or change the proposal

*AI was used in the creation of this report.