Malverne S.D. Seeks Residents' Input With Budget Survey

Residents of the Malverne school district now have a new way to voice their opinions on the upcoming budget.

The district has posted a five-minute survey on its Web site that asks residents to rate the importance of factors like techonology, class sizes, clubs, athletics, music, art, summer school and other programs it provides. The online survey also seeks the community's input regarding fees the district charges for some of its services, and gauges what motivates residents to vote - or sustain from voting - on the school budget. 

According to the district, the goal of the survey is to "provide the Board of Education and administration feedback on what is most important to taxpayers as [they] begin the budget process."

Thomas McDaid, the district's business administrator, also told Patch that this gives them a way to "reach people who want their voices to be heard but don’t have time to attend board meetings" or reach out to his office to share their opinions.

The survey will be accessible through Monday, Jan. 16. The results will be used as talking points for the district’s Budget Forum, which is scheduled for Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at auditorium.

The district is urging all residents to participate in the survey regardless of whether they can be present for the forum.