What Park City wants: Superintendent survey results highlight key issues

PARK CITY, Utah — The Park City School District Board of Education has completed a community survey to identify priorities and desired leadership qualities for its next superintendent. The survey garnered 1,043 responses from parents, students, staff, and other stakeholders, offering a diverse range of perspectives. Input was taken between Dec. 18, 2024, and Jan. 12, 2025.

A safe and welcoming environment is top priority

The survey highlighted several key areas of focus for respondents:

• Safe and welcoming environment for all students: Identified as a top priority by 52% of participants.
• Student preparation for post-graduation success: Selected by 46% of respondents.
• Learning outcomes and student performance: Cited as a top-five concern by 46%.
• Student safety: Highlighted as critical by 44%, with 20% ranking it as their number-one concern.
• Curriculum improvements: Included in the top-five priorities by 41%.

Leadership highlighted as top desired Superintendent quality

Survey respondents also emphasized the following traits for the district’s next leader:

• Leadership skills: Rated as the most important quality by 59%.
• Effective communication: Emphasized by 54%.
• Understanding the local community: Prioritized by 48%.
• Moral character: Highlighted by 47%, with 18% ranking it as their top choice.
• Commitment to continuous improvement: Stressed by 42% as essential.

Communication preferences

The survey outlined preferred methods for staying informed on district updates:

• District newsletter: Selected by 53%, making it the most popular choice.
• District website: Chosen by 38%.
• Local print and broadcast media: Preferred by 34%.
• Email updates and School Board announcements: Each favored by 33%.
• Social media: Selected by 20%.

Respondents voiced strong support for a transparent hiring process and advocated for a superintendent who prioritizes equity, academic excellence, and long-term community engagement.

“This survey shows how deeply our community cares about the future of Park City schools,” said Board President Meredith Reed. “We are grateful for the thoughtful feedback, which will help us select a leader who shares our commitment to equity and excellence.”

Vice President Nick Hill echoed her sentiments, adding, “The level of participation is inspiring. We have an engaged and thoughtful community, and I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to complete the survey. The input is invaluable as we work to identify the right leadership to take our schools forward.”

The Board will continue to update the community as the superintendent search progresses.