Nist Hurricane Maria Study, Hurricane Maria Recovery Of Critical Social Functions Project: School Recovery Following Hurricane Maria School Recovery Survey Wave 1

NIST HURRICANE MARIA STUDY,
HURRICANE MARIA RECOVERY OF CRITICAL SOCIAL FUNCTIONS PROJECT:
SCHOOL RECOVERY FOLLOWING HURRICANE MARIA
SCHOOL RECOVERY SURVEY WAVE 1
SCHOOL RECOVERY FOLLOWING HURRICANE MARIA

OMB Control # 0693-0078
Expiration Date 7/31/2022

A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with an information collection subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 unless the information collection has a currently
valid OMB Control Number. The approved OMB Control Number for this information collection is 06930078. Without this approval, we could not conduct this information collection. Public reporting for this
information collection is estimated to be approximately 25 minutes per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed,
and completing and reviewing the information collection. All responses to this information collection are
voluntary. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this information
collection, including suggestions for reducing this burden to the National Institute of Standards and
Technology at: 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, Attn: Dr. Maria Dillard, Associate Team
Lead for the NIST Hurricane Maria Program, NIST Engineering Laboratory; or contact at
[email protected].

This survey asks questions about the following school: [Displays school name and address of record]

Is your school location today the same as it was at the time of Hurricane Maria?
Yes
No (the school has moved to a new location after Hurricane Maria)

Were you employed at this school prior to Hurricane Maria?
Yes
No

Are you knowledgeable about Hurricane Maria's physical and non-physical impacts on this school,
such as those to services, resources, and infrastructure?
Yes, I know or can readily obtain this information
Somewhat, but there is another individual at this institution who is better suited to provide the
information on these topics
No

Can you provide us with the name and contact information for someone who meets these criteria?
No, I do not know anyone who could provide this type of information for this school.
Yes, please contact the following individual:

Name

Phone number

Email address

Section A: Information from Respondents

Section A: Information from Respondents
The first set of questions asks about your position and experience, as well as some basic information
about your school.

A1. What best describes your current position in this school? [please list your job title or a brief
description of your job]

A2. How long have you worked for or with this school? (years)

A3. How long have you worked in this position for any school? (years) 
[includes current school and any past experience in the same position]

A4. In the 2016-17 school year (before Hurricane Maria), what was your school's funding structure?
Interviewer: read list of responses

Public
Private
Charter
Other (please specify):

A5. Has your school's funding structure changed since Hurricane Maria?
Yes (please specify current funding type):

No

A6. Which of the following has most negatively impacted your school's ability to provide services?
Interviewer: read list, select one response
Economic recession or Economic downturn of 2008
Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Maria
Earthquakes in 2019/2020
COVID-19

A7. How would you characterize your school's recovery from Hurricane Maria on a scale from 0 to 5,
where 0=not at all recovered and 5=fully recovered?
0 = not at all
recovered

1

2

3

4

5 = fully
recovered

Section B: Changes in Resources and Service

In this survey, we will ask about different time periods. We are interested in the general situation for
your school, to the best of your recollection, at the following times:
Before Hurricane Maria, which is referred to as the 2016-17 school year; 
Approximately 1 year after Hurricane Maria, or the 2018-19 school year; 
And approximately 2 years after Hurricane Maria but before COVID-19, or the 2019-20 school
year. 

Section B: Changes in Resources and Service

The next set of questions is about your school's resources before Hurricane Maria and before COVID19. Please provide your best estimate and answer to the best of your knowledge.

B1. What was your school's annual operating budget? (Report to the nearest thousand USD$)
Interviewer: read each statement and then record the response in the units specified.
a. In the 2016-17 school year (before Hurricane Maria):

$

0

b. In the 2019-20 school year (before COVID-19):

$

0

Total

$

0

a. In the 2016-17 school year (before Hurricane Maria):

#

0

b. In the 2019-20 school year (before COVID-19):

#

0

Total

#

0

a. In the 2016-17 school year (before Hurricane Maria):

#

0

b. In the 2019-20 school year (before COVID-19):

#

0

Total

#

0

B2. What was your school's average daily attendance? (Number of students)
Interviewer: read each statement and then record the response in the units specified.

B3. What was the average class size? (Report to the nearest whole number#)
Interviewer: read each statement and then record the response in the units specified.

B4. Approximately what percentage of classrooms had at least one fully functional internet-enabled
computer? (Report to the nearest percent %)
Interviewer: read each statement and then record the response in the units specified.
a. In the 2016-17 school year (before Hurricane Maria):

0

%

b. In the 2019-20 school year (before COVID-19):

0

%

Total

0

%

B5. How many teachers were employed in your school? 
Interviewer: read each statement and then record the response in the units specified.
a. In the 2016-17 school year (before Hurricane Maria):

#

0

b. In the 2019-20 school year (before COVID-19):

#

0

Total

#

0

B6. How many school-wide staff meetings were held each month, on average?
Interviewer: read each statement and then record the response in the units specified.

a. In the 2016-17 school year
(before Hurricane Maria):

b. In the 2019-20 school year
(before COVID-19):

<1

1-3

4-6

7 or more

Don't
know

B7. Before Hurricane Maria (2016-17 school year), what percent of your school's purchased supplies in
the following categories came from outside of the Commonwealth?
Interviewer: then ask
How about before COVID-19 (2019-20 school year), what percent of your school's purchased supplies
in the following categories came from outside of the Commonwealth?
(Please provide your best estimate and answer to the best of your knowledge)
Interviewer: Repeat for each Supply Type

a. Food

2016-17 (Before Hurricane Maria)

2019-20 (Before COVID-19)

%

%

b.

Computers/Tablets

%

%

c. Cleaning
products

%

%

d. Textbooks

%

%

e. Paper

%

%

Now we will focus on any changes in the services provided by your school.

B8. Before Hurricane Maria (2016-17 school year), did your school provide any of the following
services? (Select all that apply.)
Interviewer: Repeat for each Service Type
2016-17 (Before Hurricane Maria)

Yes

No

Don't know

2016-17 (Before Hurricane Maria)

Educational Services   
Classroom Instruction

Standardized Tests
requiring administration

Yes

No

Technology Instruction (e.g.,

computer lab, tablets)
Summer School Programs

Field Trips/Learning
Enrichment Activities

Tutoring/Teaching
Assistance for students

Special Education Services

Transportation
Services

Bus services to transport
students to and from home

Bus services for after school

activities or field trips

Support Services

Health Services (e.g.,
temperature checks,
monitor immunization
records)

School Guidance
Counseling Services (e.g.,
help with student learning,
address behavioral
challenges)

Kitchen/Cafeteria Services

Record Management
Services (e.g., process
transcript requests)

Before/After school care
programs

Teacher
Training/Professional
Development

Community Services   
Family/Parenting Services

Community Service Projects

(e.g., recycling)
Food Pantry/Food Bank

Library/Book Rental

Don't know

2016-17 (Before Hurricane Maria)

Community Gardens

Yes

No

Don't know

For the following questions, please consider all services that fall under the relevant category and
compare to your school's services before Hurricane Maria, in the 2016-17 school year.

B9. About what percentage of educational services was restored:
Interviewer: Record from zero to 100%. Read each statement and then record response.
a. In the 2018-19 school year (approximately 1 year after Hurricane Maria)?

0

%

b. In the 2019-20 school year (before COVID-19)?

0

%

Total

0

%

a. In the 2018-19 school year (approximately 1 year after Hurricane Maria)?

0

%

b. In the 2019-20 school year (before COVID-19)?

0

%

Total

0

%

a. In the 2018-19 school year (approximately 1 year after Hurricane Maria)?

0

%

b. In the 2019-20 school year (before COVID-19)?

0

%

Total

0

%

Educational Services refers to: Classroom instruction, standardized tests requiring
administration, technology Instruction (e.g., computer lab, tablets), summer school
programs, field trips, learning enrichment activities, tutoring and teaching assistance
for students, and special education services.

B10. About what percentage of transportation services was restored:
Interviewer: Record from zero to 100%. Read each statement and then record response.

Transportation Services refers to: Bus services to transport students to and from
home and bus services for after school activities or field trips.

B11. About what percentage of support services was restored:
Interviewer: Record from zero to 100%. Read each statement and then record response.

Support Services refers to: Health services (e.g., temperature checks, monitor
immunization records), school guidance counseling services (e.g., help with student
learning, address behavioral challenges), kitchen and cafeteria services, record
management services (e.g., process transcript requests), before/after school care
programs, teacher training and professional development.

B12. About what percentage of community services was restored:
Interviewer: Record from zero to 100%. Read each statement and then record response.
a. In the 2018-19 school year (approximately 1 year after Hurricane Maria)?

0

%

b. In the 2019-20 school year (before COVID-19)?

0

%

Total

0

%

Community Services refers to: Family and parenting services, community service
projects (e.g., recycling), food pantry and food bank, library and book rental, and
community gardens.

Section C: Physical Impacts & Repair

Section C: Physical Impacts & Repair
The next set of questions focuses on physical damage and repairs to all buildings associated with your
school campus. If you are unsure of any responses, please just answer to the best of your ability.

C1. Did your school campus suffer any physical damage due to Hurricane Maria?
Yes
No
Don't know

C1a. Is your school campus made up of more than one building?
Yes
No
Don't know

C1b. Please identify the building where most of the services of your school are performed. (This is
likely the building with the most classrooms.)

Please answer the following questions for ${q://QID418/ChoiceTextEntryValue}, the building you have
identified above. 

If you are unsure of any responses, please just answer to the best of your ability.

C2. How would you characterize the:
Interviewer: Read list of responses. Repeat list of responses as needed.

a. Building damage?

b. Contents/inventory damage?

c. Machinery/equipment damage?

None

Minor

Moderate

Severe

Complete
Loss

C3. About what percent area of all the roof cover was damaged or lost as a result of Hurricane Maria?

Interviewer if needed:
The roof covering is the exterior part of the roof system that protects the building
from the weather. Common types of roof cover include asphalt shingles, clay tiles, rubber membranes,
and built-up asphalt roofs.
No roof cover damage
Less than 25 %
25-50 %
51-75 %
76-100%
Don't know

C4. About what percent area of all the roof structures and/or decking was damaged or lost as a result
of Hurricane Maria?

Interviewer if needed: The roof decking and/or roof structure is the intermediate section of the roof
between the internal structural components and the weatherproofing layers. Roof decking and/or
structures include roof beams, joists, or girders, the roof structural members that support the decking,
also precast planks or single or double T for concrete roofs.
No roof structure and/or decking damage
Less than 25 %
25-50 %
51-75 %

76-100 %
Don't know

C5. About how many of the windows and doors were damaged by Hurricane Maria?
None
A few
Several
Most or all of them
Don't know

C6. How many exterior walls were damaged by Hurricane Maria?

Interviewer if needed: Damage to the exterior walls of the building can range from very little or no
visible damage, minor damages like marks or dents that need paint or patching for repair, partial failure
of one wall, failure of one wall, to the failure of more than one wall.
None
A few
Several
Most or all of them
Don't know

C6a. How would you describe the damage to the exterior walls caused by Hurricane Maria?
Interviewer: Read list
None
Minor
Moderate
Severe
Complete
Don't know

C7. How would you describe the damage to the interior finishes (ceilings, paint, tile, carpet, etc.) and
contents (furniture, appliances, books, etc.) caused by Hurricane Maria?
Interviewer: Read listInterviewer if needed: Interior finish includes things like floors, walls, ceilings, tiles,
marble, plastic, wood, and paint, whereas contents refers to the furniture, appliances/equipment and
things inside of the building.
None
Minor
Moderate
Severe
Complete
Don't know

C8. How would you describe the extent to which water entered the building during Hurricane Maria, in
terms of building area, with 0% meaning no water came in and 100% meaning water entered all parts
of the building? (Please provide your best estimate.)
Interviewer if needed: Water intrusion is the unwelcome and uncontrolled movement of water into a
building. Water intrusion can originate from rain and floods.

Don't know

C9. Did flooding from rising water occur at the building site? For example, within a parking lot or a
walkway leading to the facility.

Interviewer if needed: Flooding from rising water can involve the overflow of inland or tidal waters, the
unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff surface waters from any source, or mudslides.
Yes
No
Don't know

C9a. Did flood water enter the building?
Yes
No
Don't know

C9b. About what was the maximum water height inside the building? (Please provide your best
estimate in meters.)

Don't know

C10. Was equipment mounted on the roof damaged or dislodged by the hurricane?

Interviewer if needed: Roof-mounted equipment includes air conditioners, compressors, conduits,
condensers, pipes, vents, ducts, etc. 
Yes
No
Don't know

C11. Was the damage to this building similar to the damage to the other buildings on your school
campus?

Yes
No
Don't know

C11a. How would you describe the damage to the other buildings?
Much higher
Higher
Lower
Much lower

C12. When thinking about your entire school campus, did the damage cause your school to close
completely?
Yes
No
Don't know

C12a. How long did it take for your school to reopen at any level of service? (days)

C12b. Did the damage directly inhibit your school's ability to provide any services following the hazard
event?
Yes
No
Don't know

The next set of questions asks about the impact of Hurricane Maria on utilities and the back up or
emergency reserves. Please answer to the best of your knowledge. If your school does not use a
particular utility, please indicate "Not Applicable".

Utilities
electric power
water/sewer
land-line telephone
Internet/IT

Section C: Utilities Q13-16

C13.${lm://Field/2}. Did your school lose ${lm://Field/1}?
Yes
No
Don't know
Not applicable

C14.${lm://Field/2}. About how many days until ${lm://Field/1} was fully repaired? (days)

C15.${lm://Field/2}. Did your school have backup systems or emergency reserves for ${lm://Field/1}?
Yes
No
Don't know
Not applicable

C16.${lm://Field/2}. Did your school use backup systems or emergency reserves for ${lm://Field/1}?
Yes
No
Don't know
Back-up system damaged by Hurricane Maria
Not applicable

Section C: Physical Impacts & Repair Q17-Q21

C17. Did utility issues following Hurricane Maria directly inhibit your school's ability to provide any
services in the 2018-19 school year (approximately 1 year after Hurricane Maria)?
Yes
No
Don't know

C18. Did transportation issues (i.e. road/bridge closures) following Hurricane Maria directly inhibit your
school's ability to provide any services in the 2018-19 school year (approximately 1 year after
Hurricane Maria)?
Yes
No
Don't know

C19. What temporary measures were put into place to get your school back to a functional state?
(Select all that apply)
Interviewer, READ LIST, select all that apply
Mobile classrooms or other temporary structures
Prepackaged food (MREs)
Delivery of water
Generators
Other (please describe):

C20. About what percentage of the repairs to your school campus were completed...
Interviewer: read each statement and then record response
a. In the 2018-19 school year (approximately 1 year after Hurricane Maria)?

0

%

b. In the 2019-20 school year (approximately 2 years after Hurricane Maria, before
COVID-19)?

0

%

Total

0

%

Section D: Non-physical Impacts

Section D: Non-physical Impacts
The following set of questions focuses on non-physical impacts. The first questions ask about impacts
within the first year after Hurricane Maria. If you are unsure of any responses, please just answer to the
best of your ability.

D1. To what extent were the following a problem within that first year after Hurricane Maria?
Interviewer: Read list, ask
Would you say this was?

a. Employees had trouble
reporting to work due to
transportation problems?

b. Employees had trouble
reporting to work due to housing
problems?

Not a
problem

Minor
problem

Moderate
problem

Major
problem

Don't
know

Would you say this was?

Not a
problem

Minor
problem

Moderate
problem

Major
problem

Don't
know

c. Employees had trouble reporting

to work because their children
were not yet back to school?
d. Employees had trouble
reporting to work because their
children were not yet back to
daycare/childcare?

e. Employees had trouble
reporting to work because of
disaster-related physical health
issues?

f. Employees had trouble reporting
to work because of disaster-related   
mental health issues?

D2. Within that first year after Hurricane Maria...
Interviewer: Repeat lead-in for 2b through 2d if needed

a. Did your school transfer any students to other schools as a result of
the hurricane?

b. Did your school accept any student transfers from other schools as
a result of the hurricane?

c. Did your school experience an increase in the frequency of requests
for free and reduced meals?

d. Did your school experience an increase in the frequency of requests
for health services for students?

Yes

No

Don't
know

The next set of questions will reference impacts in the first 2 weeks after Hurricane Maria, or the
second half of September 2017.

D3. Within the first two weeks after Hurricane Maria, were there any DEATHS in this facility directly
related to the hurricane?
Yes
No
Don't know

D3a. Were these deaths from injuries caused by damage to the building (falling ceiling, broken glass,
etc.)?
Yes
No
Don't know

D3b. Were these deaths from flooding (drowning)?
Yes
No
Don't know

D3c. Were these deaths because conditions worsened by loss of power, water or other limitations?
Yes
No
Don't know

D4. Within the first two weeks after Hurricane Maria, were there any INJURIES in this facility directly
related to the hurricane?
Yes
No
Don't know

D4a. Were these injuries caused by damage to the building (falling ceiling, broken glass, etc.)?
Yes
No
Don't know

D4b. Were these injuries because of clean-up or recovery activities?
Yes
No
Don't know

D4c. Were these injuries because conditions worsened by loss of power, water or other limitations?
Yes
No
Don't know

Section E: Decisions, Planning and Communication

Section E: Decisions and Planning
The following set of questions focuses on decisions, planning and communication. If you are unsure of
any responses, please just answer to the best of your ability.

E1. Before Hurricane Maria (2016-17 school year), how would you characterize the culture of your
school in relation to natural hazard risks?
Interviewer: read list of responses, select one
Regularly planned for potential natural hazards and set aside funds to minimize risks
Occasionally planned for potential natural hazards and set aside funds to minimize risks
Acknowledged natural hazard risks, but did not have financial or other means to help minimize
risks
Did not discuss or plan for natural hazard risks
Deliberately avoided the topic of natural hazard risks

E2. Please indicate to what extent you agree with the following statement:

Before Hurricane Maria (2016-17 school year), my school was adequately prepared for potential
hurricane impacts.
Interviewer: read list of responses, select one
Agree
Somewhat agree
Neither agree, nor disagree
Somewhat disagree
Disagree

E3. Before Hurricane Maria (2016-17 school year), did your school have an emergency plan for natural
hazard events such as hurricanes in place?
Yes
No
Don't know

E3a. What percentage of school administration and/or staff was familiar with the plan and its contents?
(%)

E3b. How would you characterize the implementation of the emergency plan during Hurricane Maria?
Interviewer: read list of responses, select one

Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Poor
Very Poor

E4. Before Hurricane Maria (2016-17 school year), how would you rate your school's connection to
other local organizations (e.g., businesses, hospitals, churches)?
Interviewer: For example, did you co-sponsor events, offer space, or help promote activities of these
organizations?
Would you say:
Interviewer: read list of responses, select one
Very connected
Somewhat connected
Average
Somewhat disconnected
Very disconnected

E6. Before COVID-19 (2019-20 school year), how would you rate your school's connection to other
local organizations (e.g., businesses, hospitals, churches)?
Interviewer: For example, did you co-sponsor events, offer space, or help promote activities of these
organizations?
Would you say:
Interviewer: read list of responses, select one
Very connected
Somewhat connected
Average
Somewhat disconnected
Very disconnected

Section F: Recovery F1-F7

Section F: Recovery
The last set of questions address the recovery of your school and surrounding areas. If you are unsure
of any dates, please just answer to the best of your ability.

F1. Regarding the recovery of the entire Commonwealth of Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria, would
you say it is:
Interviewer: read list of responses, select one
Fully recovered
Partially recovered

Still in survival/response mode
Will never recover (please explain)

F2. Regarding the recovery of the municipios your school serves, since Hurricane Maria would you say
the municipios are:
Interviewer: read list of responses, select one
Fully recovered
Partially recovered
Still in survival/response mode
Will never recover (please explain)

F3. Regarding the recovery of your school since Hurricane Maria, would you say it is:
Interviewer: read list of responses, select one
Fully recovered
Partially recovered
Still in survival/response mode
Will never recover (please explain)

F4. Before Hurricane Maria, did your school have private insurance coverage on any of the following?

The Buildings

The Contents (for
example, furniture,
books, computers)

Business interruption

Yes

No

F4a. Did your school file claims for insurance on the following insurance types?

Don't know

Yes

» The Buildings

» 
The Contents (for
example, furniture,
books, computers)

» 
Business interruption

No

Don't know

F4b. When did you receive money from the following insurance policy claims? Please provide your
best recollection of the timing of funds received.

» The Buildings

» 
The Contents (for
example, furniture,
books, computers)

» 
Business interruption

Less
than 6
mos

6 - 12
mos

12 - 18
mos

18 - 24
mos

24+
mos

NEVER

Don't
know

F5. Did your school apply for any of the following assistance types?

Federal financial assistance
FEMA Public Assistance
Program for Educational
Facilities
Department of Education
Immediate Aid to Restart
School Operations (K-12
Restart) program

Department of Education
Project School Emergency
Response to Violence
(SERV) (includes Natural
Disasters)
USDA Disaster Nutrition
Assistance (regulatory
waivers)
Commonwealth/Puerto Rico
financial assistance

Municipal government financial
assistance

Private/bank loans

Yes

No

Don't know

F5a. When did you receive funding from the following assistance types? Please provide your best
recollection of the timing of funds received.

» 
Federal financial assistance
FEMA Public Assistance
Program for Educational
Facilities
Department of Education
Immediate Aid to Restart
School Operations (K-12
Restart) program
Department of Education
Project School
Emergency Response to
Violence (SERV)
(includes Natural
Disasters)
USDA Disaster Nutrition
Assistance (regulatory
waivers)

» 
Commonwealth/Puerto Rico
financial assistance

» 
Municipal government financial
assistance

» Private/bank loans

Less
than 6
mos

6 - 12
mos

12 18
mos

18 24
mos

24+
mos

NEVER

Don't
know

F6. To what extent did the following factors make important contributions to your school's recovery in
the 2018-19 school year (approximately 1 year after Hurricane Maria)?
Interviewer read: "Major contribution, minor contribution, no contribution or not applicable" for the
following:

Effective leadership and
sound decision making

A clearly understood process
for making and approving
decisions

The provision of adequate
and timely financial resources

(including disaster
assistance)
Having materials easily
accessible (e.g., building
materials)

Major
contribution

Minor
contribution

No
contribution

Not
applicable

Having needed equipment
accessible (e.g., construction
equipment, generators)

Being able to hire contractors
for building repairs

Teachers and Staff

Students

Recovered utility services

Personal networks/knowing
the right people

Sharing resources with other
organizations in the
community

Major
contribution

Minor
contribution

No
contribution

Not
applicable

F6a. Of these factors, please rank the 3 most important to your school's recovery where 1 is the most
important factor:
Interviewer: Read list

» Effective leadership and sound decision making

» A clearly understood process for making and approving decisions

» The provision of adequate and timely financial resources (including disaster assistance)

» Having materials easily accessible (e.g., building materials)

» Having needed equipment accessible (e.g., construction equipment, generators)

» Being able to hire contractors for building repairs

» Teachers and Staff

» Students

» Recovered utility services

» Personal networks/knowing the right people

» Sharing resources with other organizations in the community

F7. Was this school used as a shelter?
Yes
No

Don't know

F7a. Can you provide contact information for someone who was involved with the operation?

First Name & Affiliation

Work Phone

Work Email

F7b. Did use of the building for this purpose delay reopening for educational purposes?
Yes
No
Don't know

F7c. Can you please provide your best estimate of how long it took to transition from shelter to school?
Number

Unit of time
Days

Weeks

Months

Don't know

END

F8. We would like to hear more from you about your school's experience of Hurricane Maria and the
process of recovery through a more discussion-based approach. Would you be willing to share your
school's story in a face-to-face interview or by video conference?
Yes
No
Maybe

If you encounter any issues in completing this survey, please feel free to contact the survey helpdesk at
[email protected] or 787-510-6736.

${e://Field/Unique_ID}

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