SHARP school survey: Park City participation lags while North/South Summit reach higher opt-in rates

Summit County Health Department staff reported Feb. 6 that Park City Schools returned just 300 parent opt-ins (about 20%) for the SHARP student survey, far below the roughly 70% opt-in rates recorded in North and South Summit school districts and below the department’s 60% threshold for producing usable, statistically reliable results.

"We had 300 parents signed. That's 20%," the presenter said, summing the Park City response. Staff described the cause as partly logistical: Park City’s registration and survey-preparation timeline differed from North and South Summit. Pamela (SHARP presenter) explained some districts include the form in registration packets during the summer, which boosts completion, while Park City initially relied on a single district email and delayed finalizing the survey materials until later.

Pamela outlined outreach already under way: repeated emails from district principals, a short informational video, flyers with QR codes, radio and social posts, enlistment of the Park City High School counselor and PTO channels, and the use of iPads or tabling at school events to allow on-the-spot opt-in. Board members recommended placing a clear link on the school district’s homepage and using QR codes at sports events, and suggested board members help spread the link.

Meeting discussion clarified timing: sign-ups were open through March 1 and several Park City buildings plan to take the student survey in early March (Park City High School on March 2; Treasure Mountain/Ecker Hill on March 7 per the presenter). Staff emphasized that the survey will be administered regardless of opt-in rate, but data from districts with under-60% opt-in cannot be used for reliable, representative conclusions.

Next steps: staff will report updated response numbers at the March board meeting, continue partner outreach, and pursue tactics that have produced higher participation in neighboring districts.