The Worthington Schools get an "A" for academics, a "B" for communications, and a "C+" for financial management.

Those grades were assigned by approximately 400 community members surveyed by a firm hired by the district to gauge perceptions of the schools and of a proposal to earn money through an advertising program.

The idea of selling advertising or sponsorship for school facilities or events earned a cautious thumbs up from those who replied to the telephone survey done earlier this year by Communica Inc.

Bill Grindle, a Worthington resident and school volunteer who works for the Toledo-based marketing, advertising and public relations firm, reported the results of the survey to the school board on Monday night.

The firm was paid $13,000 by the district.

Besides the 417 residents, who were about evenly divided between residents with and without children enrolled in the district, Grindle interviewed 69 school staff; 23 business and community leaders; and four media representatives.

Overall, respondents said the district is outstanding, with lots of opportunities for kids, he said. Fifty-six percent said Worthington is either better or much better than other suburban school districts.

Asked to give letter grades, residents gave an "A" to the district in overall academic quality, breadth of extracurricular programs, and breadth of academic programs.

Weaknesses are communication and financial management, the only areas to receive grades of "C" from any of the responding groups.

"Communication with the community" received a "B" from the community and media representatives, a "C+" from community leaders, and a "C" from business leaders.

"Financial management" received a "C+" from the community as well as from community leaders and media representatives, and a "B-" from business leaders.

Thirty-six percent said they agreed or strongly agreed that the district uses its money wisely; 40 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed.

Fifty-three percent agreed that they trust administrators; 26 percent disagreed.

Forty-seven percent agreed that the district is well managed; 31 percent disagreed.

Superintendent Melissa Conrath outlined a plan for addressing the concerns reflected in the survey. To increase pride in the district's stewardship will take raising sufficient revenues while making strategic reductions in spending, including creating a fair compensation system, she said.

She would like to see the survey repeated in 18 months.

She said she supports the study's recommendation to develop an advertising and sponsorship program, as long as it is done responsibly.

According to the survey, 67.6 percent of respondents support developing such a program.

They drew a line at what the district should sell, though.

For example, 91.5 percent would support selling sign space at athletic events, which the district already does.

But only 33 percent said they supported "limited advertising in the entry ways of school buildings and facilities."

Board president Gary Tyack and member David Bressman expressed their differences on the advertising question.

Tyack said that the naming rights for Ohio State University College of Law and many of its programs and meeting rooms had been sold. Most were named for "older white men,"he said.

"At some point, ethics have to be more important," Tyack said.

Bressman pointed out that minority students were among those who benefited from the money donated by the older white men.

Selling advertising, or naming rights, does not preclude honoring people for their service, he said.