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Survey of Rural School Leaders on the question of:

Do we need a rural DPI office?

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Background

One of the priorities from the 1/04 Rural Forum participants was to establish an office focused on rural areas outside of the Madison area.

To clarify, the State Superintendent charged a team of 3 DPI staff members to survey a representative sample of rural school leaders.

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Survey Purpose The purpose of the survey was to see if the need

for a rural presence was evident. Survey focus on:

Services and programs that would be improved (or increased) if DPI had a broader presence outside of Madison; and/or

Improve communications and connections, and increase access to information and services to rural schools and communities through existing personnel and resources.

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Findings Summary - Themes

Distance from Madison - 150 miles and or Highway 8 barrier = Rural – Rural Districts

Existing Relationship to DPI Resource BrokerFace to FaceUse of TechnologyRural Office vs. Rural Presence

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Findings Summary –

Distance from MadisonSurvey found a significant difference in

responses from school leaders who could drive to Madison and back in a day vs. those that needed to stay overnight.

Respondents from rural-rural districts, north of Highway 8, feel that their influence on DPI in the legislative, policy, and budget process is less.

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LudemanRural-RuralAdamsAshlandCrawfordFlorenceForestIronJacksonJuneauOneidaPriceRuskSawyerVilas

Adjusted Includes-Bayfield-North Marinette- Burnett-Washburn

150 Miles

Highway 8

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Findings Summary –

Existing Relationship to DPIRespondents overwhelmingly indicated they

are satisfied or very satisfied with DPI’s responses to their phone or email requests.

School leaders from rural-rural districts note difficulty building long-term relationships with DPI staff due to few face-to-face opportunities resulting from the distance/geography.

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Findings Summary –

Resource BrokerMost respondents have a contact at DPI –

someone they know personally and that is where they start.

Survey Quote: “If I were to describe what it is that might be needed in rural communities, I might call it a resource broker; that is a person or office that provides easy access for local rural superintendents and does the digging for them …finding the program person … even finding the answer to a challenge”.

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Findings Summary –

Face-to-FaceRespondents agreed it would be helpful to

have a ‘DPI staff person’ that lives in the general area, understands the larger rural community, is able to attend CESA meetings, and to communicate the rural-rural message to DPI cabinet.

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Findings Summary –

Use of TechnologyIncreased use of technology is important.

HOWEVER, respondents also believed it was imperative DPI have a personal presence in some way with rural schools.

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Findings Summary –

Rural Office vs. Rural PresenceWhile local leaders would not oppose a

rural office, several caveats were mentioned: Don’t take money away from us.Can one person meet all our needs?Is that one person able to communicate

our needs and concerns?Where would one office be located?

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Findings Summary –

DPI Presence – WEOP ConceptGiven these results, it occurred to the

respondents:Is it possible to take advantage of the existing

WEOP network? Is there a way to leverage the existing WEOP

infrastructure to strengthen a DPI presence, especially in rural-rural Wisconsin?

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Next StepsLocal leaders were pleased and enthused

the state superintendent was seeking input and searching for ways to help rural students and rural communities.

Re-thinking the connection to CESAs such as more efficient communication via the PAC meetings – use of technology with a physical presence - maybe WEOP.