Beginning Sept 18, phones will be ringing across the District as a comprehensive survey of patron opinion will begin.

The survey of 300 households will provide insight into what residents think about the District and its long range facility planning priorities.

"This survey will give us an opportunity to hear from a cross-section of our patrons and their opinions about our performance, and what our priorities should be for the future," says Superintendent Dr. Mike Slagle. "We’ll hear from all geographic parts of the district, people of all different ages, and everyone from newcomers to long-term residents."

The 10-minute phone survey was designed by ExcellenceK12, a Kansas City-based market research firm. The calling will be done by Kansas City-based Market Research Associates, a firm that uses only locally-based, professional researchers. Participants will be selected totally at random, and all responses will be kept completely confidential.

In general, calls will be placed between 7 and 9 p.m. on weekdays, and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. The caller ID may show "Market Research Associates" or it may simply show an 816 or 913 area code, because the company uses calling facilities in both Missouri and Kansas.

For those who are not contacted at random on the phone, an online version of the survey is available. Take online survey here The survey will close Oct. 2.

The survey process will take about two weeks to complete.

"We really want to hear from you," says Dr. Slagle. "So, if you get a phone call on this survey, please participate, and please let us know what you think."

As part of its long-range facility planning process, the District is considering a no-tax-rate bond issue election in April 2021. The survey results will help provide feedback important in developing a ballot proposal.