Survey Purpose
As part of our continuous improvement efforts, we sought feedback from both active and retired officials to identify key trends, challenges, and opportunities to improve the recruitment and retention of high school sport officials. The survey was the first step in creating a strategic plan or action items for both the WIAA and necessary stakeholders to act upon.
Survey Process
The WIAA partnered with the Donovan Group, an independent third party, to administer the survey, and collect and analyze the data. The survey was open from April 7 through April 27, 2025. A total of 2,717 officials completed the survey. The Donovan Group's survey engine was used, with measures in place such as logging IP addresses and time-stamping responses to ensure each eligible official had the opportunity to take the survey only once and remain anonymous. The data is qualitative, similar to that from focus groups, and provides sound insights.
Next Steps
The survey data has been distributed, presented to, and reviewed by the Board of Control. Also an initial review of the data has been conducted by WIAA Executive Staff. Executive Staff will continue to review and discuss throughout the duration of the school year. Engaging with key stakeholder groups is critical to the next steps of creating actionable items and key themes for WIAA staff and different stakeholder groups to focus on. Meetings and conversations will start in the Fall of 2025 and continue throughout the year. Once the formalization is created it will be shared and distributed accordingly on this web page. A list of identified stakeholders is provided. Through continued discussions, more may be added to this list.
Key Stakeholders:
- WADA Leadership
- Official’s Advisory Committee
- Conference Commissioners
- Local Officials Association Leadership
- Midwest Minority Officials Association Leadership