NIST Hurricane Maria Study, Hurricane Maria Recovery of Critical Social Functions Project: School Recovery Following Hurricane Maria School Recovery Survey Wave 2

Wave 2 - School Survey

V. 03-08-23

NIST HURRICANE MARIA STUDY,

HURRICANE MARIA RECOVERY OF CRITICAL SOCIAL FUNCTIONS PROJECT:

SCHOOL RECOVERY FOLLOWING HURRICANE MARIA

SCHOOL RECOVERY SURVEY WAVE 2

OMB Control #0693-0078

Expiration Date:  07/31/2025

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 0693-0078. 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].     

Part 1: Screening Questions (Review with HW)

…

Part 2: Questionnaire

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.

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

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

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

4. What is your school’s funding structure? (Interviewer: read list of responses)

   1. Public

   2. Private

   3. Charter

   4. Other (please specify): __________

5. Which of the following has most negatively impacted your school’s ability to provide services? (Interviewer: read list, select one response)

   1. Economic recession or Economic downturn of 2008

   2. Hurricane Irma

   3. Hurricane Maria

   4. Earthquakes in 2019/2020

   5. COVID-19

   6. Supply Chain Disruptions

   7. Inflation

   8. Hurricane Fiona

6. 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? _________[Radio buttons 0 to 5 with labels for 0 and 5 only]

Section B: Changes in Resources and Service

The last time we met with a representative of your school, we asked about resources and services of your school during two time periods, immediately before and 1 year after Hurricane Maria. Now, we are interested in the general situation of your school to the best of your recollection:

• Approximately 3 years after Hurricane Maria.

• Approximately 5 years after Hurricane Maria.

The next set of questions is about your school’s resources. Please provide your best estimate and answer to the best of your knowledge.

1. What was your school’s annual operating budget? Interviewer: read each statement and then record the response in the units specified. (Report to the nearest thousand USD$)

   1. In the 2020-21 school year: ____

   2. In the 2022-23 school year: ____

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

   1. In the 2020-21 school year: ____

   2. In the 2022-23 school year: ____

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

   1. In the 2020-21 school year: ____

   2. In the 2022-23 school year: ____

4. Approximately what percentage of classrooms had at least one fully functional internet-enabled computer? Interviewer: read each statement and then record response in the units specified (Report to the nearest percent%)

   1. In the 2020-21 school year: ____

   2. In the 2022-23 school year: ____

5. How many teachers were employed in your school? Interviewer: read each statement and then record response in the units specified

   1. In the 2020-21 school year: ____

   2. In the 2022-23 school year: ____

6. How many school-wide staff meetings were held each month, on average? Interviewer: read each statement and then record response in the units specified (Answer options: <1, 1-3, 4-6, 7 or more, Don’t know )

   1. In the 2020-21 school year: ____

   2. In the 2022-23 school year: ____

7. What percent of your school’s purchased supplies in the following categories came from outside of the Commonwealth in the 2020-21 school year? (Interviewer: then ask) How about in the 2022-23 school year? (Interviewer: Repeat for each Supply Type) (Please provide your best estimate and answer to the best of your knowledge)

Supply Type	2020-21	2022-23
Food	%	%
Computers/Tablets	%	%
Cleaning products	%	%
Textbooks	%	%
Paper	%	%

For the following questions, we are interested in your school’s recovery of services following Hurricane Maria. Please consider all services that fall under the relevant category (see table for reference).

[PROGRAMMING: For Q8-11, the interviewer will need access to the Services grid, to prompt / remind the respondent of the service types that each question refers to in case the respondent needs clarification. For example: “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/Teaching Assistance for students, Special Education Services.”]

8. About what percentage of educational services was restored: (Interviewer: record from zero to 100%) Interviewer: read each statement and then record response

   1. In the 2020-21 school year?

   2. In the 2022-23 school year?

      1. [if 14a < 100%] To what extent do you perceive Hurricane Fiona caused a delay in the restoration of educational services in the 2022-23 school year?

         1. The delay was unrelated to Hurricane Fiona.

         2. Hurricane Fiona caused a Minor delay in service restoration.

         3. Hurricane Fiona caused a Moderate delay in service restoration.

         4. Hurricane Fiona caused a Major delay in service restoration.

         5. Don’t know

9. About what percentage of transportation services was restored: (Interviewer: record from zero to 100%) Interviewer: read each statement and then record response

   1. In the 2020-21 school year?

   2. In the 2022-23 school year?

      1. [if 15a < 100%] To what extent do you perceive Hurricane Fiona caused a delay in the restoration of transportation services in the 2022-23 school year?

         1. The delay was unrelated to Hurricane Fiona.

         2. Hurricane Fiona caused a Minor delay in service restoration.

         3. Hurricane Fiona caused a Moderate delay in service restoration.

         4. Hurricane Fiona caused a Major delay in service restoration.

         5. Don’t know

10. About what percentage of support services was restored: (Interviewer: record from zero to 100%) Interviewer: read each statement and then record response

    1. In the 2020-21 school year?

    2. In the 2022-23 school year?

       1. [if 16a < 100%] To what extent do you perceive Hurricane Fiona caused a delay in the restoration of support services in the 2022-23 school year?

          1. The delay was unrelated to Hurricane Fiona.

          2. Hurricane Fiona caused a Minor delay in service restoration.

          3. Hurricane Fiona caused a Moderate delay in service restoration.

          4. Hurricane Fiona caused a Major delay in service restoration.

          5. Don’t know

11. About what percentage of community services was restored: (Interviewer: record from zero to 100%) Interviewer: read each statement and then record response

    1. In the 2020-21 school year?

    2. In the 2022-23 school year?

       1. [if 17a < 100%] To what extent do you perceive Hurricane Fiona caused a delay in the restoration of community services in the 2022-23 school year?

          1. The delay was unrelated to Hurricane Fiona.

          2. Hurricane Fiona caused a Minor delay in service restoration.

          3. Hurricane Fiona caused a Moderate delay in service restoration.

          4. Hurricane Fiona caused a Major delay in service restoration.

          5. Don’t know

Section C: Physical Impacts & Repair

The next set of questions focus on physical damage and repairs associated with your school campus. These questions address physical damage and repairs from both Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Fiona. If you are unsure of any responses, please just answer to the best of your ability.

1. Did your school campus suffer any physical damage due to Hurricane Fiona?

Yes / No / DK

[PROGRAMMING: If “No” or “DK” to Q1, skip to Q3]

2. How would you characterize the: [Programming: Matrix Q2 - 2a, 2b, 2c]

2.a. … Building damage from Hurricane Fiona? Interviewer: Read List of Responses

1. None

2. Minor

3. Moderate

4. Severe

5. Complete Loss

2.b. … Contents/inventory damage from Hurricane Fiona? Interviewer: Repeat List of Responses as needed

6. None

7. Minor

8. Moderate

9. Severe

10. Complete Loss

2.c. … Machinery/equipment damage from Hurricane Fiona? Interviewer: Repeat List of Responses as needed

1. None

2. Minor

3. Moderate

4. Severe

5. Complete Loss

3. Did your school campus suffer any physical damage due to Hurricane Maria?

Yes / No / DK

[PROGRAMMING: If “No” or “DK” to Q3, skip to Q6]

4. What percentage of Hurricane Maria-related repairs to your school campus had been completed prior to Hurricane Fiona? ____%

   1. [If Q4 < 100%] Did the lack of completed repairs to your school campus result in any additional damage from Hurricane Fiona?

Y / N / DK

2. [If Q27 < 100%] Apart from physical damage, has the lack of completed repairs to your school campus resulted in any other negative impacts from Hurricane Fiona?

Y / N / DK

5. What percentage of Hurricane Maria-related repairs to your school campus have been completed as of the 2022-23 school year? ____%

The next set of questions asks about the relationship between utilities and services provided by your school following Hurricane Maria.

6. Did utility issues following Hurricane Maria directly inhibit your school’s ability to provide any services…

   1. In the 2020-21 school year? Yes / No / DK

   2. In the 2022-23 school year? Yes / No / DK

7. Did transportation issues (i.e. road/bridge closures) following Hurricane Maria directly inhibit your school’s ability to provide any services…

   1. In the 2020-21 school year? Yes / No / DK

   2. In the 2022-23 school year? Yes / No / DK

8. What temporary measures, if any, does your school continue to rely on to remain in a functional state? (Interviewer, READ LIST, select all that apply)

   1. Mobile classrooms or other temporary structures

   2. Prepackaged food (MREs)

   3. Delivery of water

   4. Generators

   5. Other (please describe)

_____________________________________

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

(Interviewer: Ask question series 9-12 for each service, and then move on to the next service.

Utilities	Electric power	Water/ Sewer	Land-line telephone	Internet/IT
Does your school currently have backup systems or emergency reserves for Service?	Y / N / DK / NA	Y / N / DK / NA	Y / N / DK / NA	Y / N / DK / NA
Over the past 12 months, how often has there been testing and/or maintenance of backup systems or emergency reserves?	0 times 1-3 times 4-6 times 7-8 times 9-11 times 12 or more times DK NA	0 times 1-3 times 4-6 times 7-8 times 9-11 times 12 or more times DK NA	0 times 1-3 times 4-6 times 7-8 times 9-11 times 12 or more times DK NA	0 times 1-3 times 4-6 times 7-8 times 9-11 times 12 or more times DK NA
Over the past 12 months, how many times has Service been unavailable for a 12-hour period or longer?	0 times 1-3 times 4-6 times 7-8 times 9-11 times 12 or more times DK NA	0 times 1-3 times 4-6 times 7-8 times 9-11 times 12 or more times DK NA	0 times 1-3 times 4-6 times 7-8 times 9-11 times 12 or more times DK NA	0 times 1-3 times 4-6 times 7-8 times 9-11 times 12 or more times DK NA
11a. [If Q11 does not = 0/DK/NA] Over the past 12 months, what is the longest your school went without Service? ____	______Hours	______Hours	______Hours	______Hours
Did your school’s backup systems or emergency reserves meet operational needs during Service disruptions in the past 12 months?	Y / N / DK / NA	Y / N / DK / NA	Y / N / DK / NA	Y / N / DK / NA

Section D: Non-physical Impacts

The following set of questions focuses on non-physical impacts resulting from Hurricane Fiona which made landfall in September 2022. If you are unsure of any responses, please just answer to the best of your ability.

1. To what extent were the following a problem after HURRICANE FIONA?

1. Employees had trouble reporting to work due to transportation problems? (Interviewer: Read List, Ask) Would you say this was...?

   1. Not a problem

   2. Minor problem

   3. Moderate problem

   4. Major problem

   5. Don’t know

2. Employees had trouble reporting to work because their children were not yet back to school? (Interviewer: Read List, Ask) Would you say this was...?

   1. Not a problem

   2. Minor problem

   3. Moderate problem

   4. Major problem

   5. Don’t know

3. Employees had trouble reporting to work because their children were not yet back to daycare/childcare? (Interviewer: Read List, Ask) Would you say this was...?

   1. Not a problem

   2. Minor problem

   3. Moderate problem

   4. Major problem

   5. Don’t know

4. Employees had trouble reporting to work because of physical health issues? (Interviewer: Read List, Ask) Would you say this was...?

   1. Not a problem

   2. Minor problem

   3. Moderate problem

   4. Major problem

   5. Don’t know

5. Employees had trouble reporting to work because of mental health issues? (Interviewer: Read List, Ask) Would you say this was...?

   1. Not a problem

   2. Minor problem

   3. Moderate problem

   4. Major problem

2. Following HURRICANE FIONA... (Interviewer: Repeat lead-in for 2b through 2d if needed)

2a. Did your school transfer any students to other schools as a result of the hurricane?

_____Yes _____No ______DK

2b. Did your school accept any student transfers from other schools as a result of the hurricane?

_____Yes _____No ______DK

2c. Did your school experience an increase in the frequency of requests for free and reduced meals? _____Yes _____No ______DK

2d. Did your school experience an increase in the frequency of requests for health services for students ? _____Yes _____No ______DK

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.

1. How would you characterize the culture of your school in relation to natural hazard risks during the 2022-23 school year? Interviewer: read list of responses, select one

   1. Regularly planned for potential natural hazards and set aside funds to minimize risks.

   2. Occasionally planned for potential natural hazards and set aside funds to minimize risks

   3. Acknowledged natural hazard risks, but did not have financial or other means to help minimize risks

   4. Did not discuss or plan for natural hazard risks

   5. Deliberately avoided the topic of natural hazard risks

2. How about in the 2020-21 school year? How would you characterize the culture of your school in relation to natural hazard risks during the 2020-21 school year? Interviewer: read list of responses, select one.

   1. Regularly planned for potential natural hazards and set aside funds to minimize risks.

   2. Occasionally planned for potential natural hazards and set aside funds to minimize risks

   3. Acknowledged natural hazard risks, but did not have financial or other means to help minimize risks

   4. Did not discuss or plan for natural hazard risks

   5. Deliberately avoided the topic of natural hazard risks

2. Please indicate to what extent you agree with the following statement: My school is adequately prepared for potential hurricane impacts. Interviewer: read list of responses

1. Agree

2. Somewhat agree

3. Neither agree, nor disagree

4. Somewhat disagree

5. Disagree

2. Does your school have an emergency plan for natural hazard events such as hurricanes in place?

Yes / No / DK

[PROGRAMMING: IF RESPONDENT ANSWERS NO TO Q4, skip to Q5]

4a. [PROGRAMMING: If YES] What percentage of school administration and/or staff is familiar with the plan and its contents? ____% (Record 0 - 100)

4b. How would you characterize the implementation of the emergency plan during Hurricane Fiona? Interviewer: read list of responses, select one

6. Very Good

7. Good

8. Acceptable

9. Poor

10. Very Poor

2. How would you rate your school’s connection to other local organizations (e.g., businesses, hospitals, churches) during the 2022-23 school year? (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

   1. Very connected

   2. Somewhat connected

   3. Average

   4. Somewhat disconnected

   5. Very disconnected

2. How about in the 2020-21 school year? How would you rate your school’s connection to other local organizations (e.g., businesses, hospitals, churches) during the 2020-21 school year? (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

   1. Very connected

   2. Somewhat connected

   3. Average

   4. Somewhat disconnected

   5. Very disconnected

Section F: Recovery

This set of questions addresses the recovery of your school and surrounding areas, as well as the application for and receipt of recovery funding. These questions may appear familiar since we asked them previously. We are asking again due to the long timeline associated with receiving recovery funding. If you are unsure of any dates, please just answer to the best of your ability.

1. 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

   1. Fully recovered

   2. Partially recovered

   3. Still in survival/response mode

   4. Will never recover (please explain)

2. 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

   1. Fully recovered

   2. Partially recovered

   3. Still in survival/response mode

   4. Will never recover (please explain)

3. Regarding the recovery of your school since Hurricane Maria, would you say it is: Interviewer: read list of responses, select one

   1. Fully recovered

   2. Partially recovered

   3. Still in survival/response mode

   4. Will never recover (please explain)

4. (INTERVIEWER: Ask for each insurance type) Did your school file claims for insurance on the following insurance types? When did you receive money from the following insurance policy claims? Please provide your best recollection of the timing of funds received.

Insurance Type	Filed Claim (1)? [if 1 or 5 ask (2)]	Received When (2)? (months after Hurricane Maria) Read responses if needed
1.The Buildings	1= Yes 2= No 3= DK 4= Did not have this insurance 5= Filed claim for disaster other than Hurricane Maria	Less than 6 mos 6 – 12 mos 12 – 18 mos 18 – 24 mos 24 – 36 mos 36 – 48 mos 48 – 60 mos 60+ mos NEVER DK
2. The Contents (for example, furniture, books, computers)	1= Yes 2= No 3= DK 4= Did not have this insurance 5= Filed claim for disaster other than Hurricane Maria	Less than 6 mos 6 – 12 mos 12 – 18 mos 18 – 24 mos 24 – 36 mos 36 – 48 mos 48 – 60 mos 60+ mos NEVER DK
3.Business interruption	1= Yes 2= No 3= DK 4= Did not have this insurance 5= Filed claim for disaster other than Hurricane Maria	Less than 6 mos 6 – 12 mos 12 – 18 mos 18 – 24 mos 24 – 36 mos 36 – 48 mos 48 – 60 mos 60+ mos NEVER DK

5. Did your school apply for any of the following assistance types? When did you receive funding from the following assistance types? Please provide your best recollection of the timing of funds received.

Assistance Type	Applied? [if Yes ask (2)]	Received When (2)? (months after Hurricane Maria) Read responses if needed
1. 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)]	1= Yes 2= No 3= DK	Less than 6 mos 6 – 12 mos 12 – 18 mos 18 – 24 mos 24 – 36 mos 36 – 48 mos 48 – 60 mos 60+ mos NEVER DK
2. Commonwealth/Puerto Rico financial assistance	1= Yes 2= No 3= DK	Less than 6 mos 6 – 12 mos 12 – 18 mos 18 – 24 mos 24 – 36 mos 36 – 48 mos 48 – 60 mos 60+ mos NEVER DK
3. Municipal government financial assistance	1= Yes 2= No 3= DK	Less than 6 mos 6 – 12 mos 12 – 18 mos 18 – 24 mos 24 – 36 mos 36 – 48 mos 48 – 60 mos 60+ mos NEVER DK
4. Private/bank loans	1= Yes 2= No 3= DK	Less than 6 mos 6 – 12 mos 12 – 18 mos 18 – 24 mos 24 – 36 mos 36 – 48 mos 48 – 60 mos 60+ mos NEVER DK

6. To what extent did the following factors make important contributions to your school’s recovery in the 2022-23 school year (approximately 5 years after Hurricane Maria)? (Interviewer read: “Major contribution, minor contribution, no contribution or not applicable” for the following):

1. Effective leadership and sound decision making

2. A clearly understood process for making and approving decisions

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

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

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

6. Being able to hire contractors for building repairs

7. Teachers and Staff

8. Students

9. Recovered utility services

10. Personal networks/knowing the right people

11. Sharing resources with other organizations in the community

6. [PROGRAMMING: Only the answers selected as “major contributions” appear in this list.] Of these factors, please rank the 3 most important to your school’s recovery where 1 is the most important factor: (Interviewer: Read list)

1. Effective leadership and sound decision making

2. A clearly understood process for making and approving decisions

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

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

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

6. Being able to hire contractors for building repairs

7. Teachers and Staff

8. Students

9. Recovered utility services

10. Personal networks/knowing the right people

11. Sharing resources with other organizations in the community

Thank you for your time and continued participation. Your response will contribute to recommended improvements in building codes, standards, and practices to make communities in Puerto Rico and across the United States more resilient to hurricanes and other disasters.