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Larkspur-Corte Madera School District: 2015 Parcel Tax Renewal Survey - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Larkspur-Corte Madera School District: 2015 Parcel Tax Renewal Survey - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Larkspur-Corte Madera School District: 2015 Parcel Tax Renewal Survey August 19, 2015 Page 1 August 19, 2015 Overview and Research Objectives Larkspur-Corte Madera School District commissioned Godbe Research to conduct a survey of local voters
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Methodology Overview
Ø Data Collection Telephone and Internet Interviewing Ø Universe 5,150 likely June 2016 voters in the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District, with a subsample of those likely to vote in the 2016 Mail Ballot election (4,806). Ø Fielding Dates July 13 through July 23, 2015 Ø Interview Length 20 minutes Ø Sample Size 299 Likely June 2016 voters 279 Likely Mail Ballot 2016 voters Ø Margin of Error ± 5.5% Likely June 2016 voters ± 5.7% Likely Mail Ballot 2016 voters
Note: The data have been weighted to reflect the actual population characteristics of likely voters in the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District in terms of their gender, age, and political party type.
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Key Findings
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- Q1. Opinion on Whether LCMSD is Providing a
Quality Education
Mail Ballot 2016 (n=279)
Very Favorable 46.6% Somewhat Favorable 34.8% Somewhat Unfavorable 3.1% Very Unfavorable 2.3% Not sure [DK/NA] 13.3%
Fav to Unfav Ratio: 15.3 to 1
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- Q2. Opinion on Whether LCMSD is Effectively
Managing and Spending Public Funds
Mail Ballot 2016 (n=279)
Very Favorable 25.0% Somewhat Favorable 36.6% Somewhat Unfavorable 9.9% Very Unfavorable 5.3% Not sure [DK/NA] 23.2%
Fav to Unfav Ratio: 4.1 to 1
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- Q3. Opinion on Whether LCMSD is Effectively
Managing Renovation/Modernization
Mail Ballot 2016 (n=279)
Very favorable 33.8% Somewhat favorable 31.3% Somewhat unfavorable 10.9% Very unfavorable 2.8% Not sure [DK/NA] 21.1%
Fav to Unfav Ratio: 4.7 to 1
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- Q4. Uninformed Support
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% June 2016 Mail Ballot 2016 42.6% 43.4% 29.3% 28.6% 8.3% 7.8% 15.2% 15.5% 4.5% 4.7% Definitely Yes Probably Yes Probably No Definitely No Not sure [DK/NA]
72.0%
To maintain quality education in Larkspur and Corte Madera with local funding that cannot be taken by the State, shall Larkspur-Corte Madera School District continue support for:
- exceptional instructional
programs, including math science, reading and writing;
- small class sizes; and
- highly qualified teachers;
by renewing the current minimum tax for eight years and increasing it by $185 per parcel as specified in the measure, with senior exemptions, independent citizen oversight, no money for administrators' salaries, and all funds staying local?
71.9%
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- Q5. Support for Different Rates
Mail Ballot 2016 (n=279)
Annual Tax per Parcel 45.1% 46.4% 48.3% 53.9% 22.2% 21.5% 22.7% 21.5% 0% 67% $185 $165 $145 $125 Probably Yes Definitely Yes
67.3% 67.9% 71.0% 75.4%
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- Q6. Features of the Measure
Mail Ballot 2016 (n=279)
Note: The above rating questions have been abbreviated for charting purposes, and responses were recoded to calculate mean scores: “Much More Likely” = +2, “Somewhat More Likely” = +1, “No Effect” = 0, “Somewhat Less Likely” = -1, and “Much Less Likely” = -2.
Somewhat More Likely Somewhat Less Likely Much Less Likely
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- 1
1 2 Maintain innovative & individualized instruction programs Upgrade/support computer & instructional technology Support at-risk students to keep them on the right track Support programs that prepare students for college Protect art and music instruction Keep school libraries open Attract and retain highly qualified teachers Maintain small class sizes Maintain math, science, reading and writing programs .88 .97 1.01 1.08 1.17 1.19 1.24 1.29 1.35
Much More Likely
Tier 2 Tier 1
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- Q7. Influence of Supporting Statements
Mail Ballot 2016 (n=279)
Note: The above rating questions have been abbreviated for charting purposes, and responses were recoded to calculate mean scores: “Much More Likely” = +2, “Somewhat More Likely” = +1, and “No Effect” = 0.
1 2 Continuation of local school funding voters supported Larkspur and Corte Madera have proud tradition After years of recession & budget cuts, funding still below Senior citizens can choose to be exempt from measure Protect pgms that help keep kids out of trouble, off drugs Maintaining good local schools improve property values Indep oversight committee comprised of local community Keep our schools among the top 10 percent in the State None of the $ will be used for administrators' salaries District been very fiscally responsible managing finances If fails and local funding expires, teachers may be laid-off Maintain the outstanding art, music and electives All $ go directly to Neil Cummins, Hall &The Cove Schools All $ will go to our elementary and middle schools 0.95 0.96 0.97 1.00 1.02 1.06 1.10 1.11 1.23 1.24 1.31 1.33 1.33 1.40
No Effect Somewhat More Likely Much More Likely
Sample A Sample B
Tier 2 Tier 1
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- Q8. Interim Support
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% June 2016 Mail Ballot 2016 46.5% 47.0% 24.3% 23.6% 9.8% 9.7% 15.4% 15.4% 4.0% 4.2% Definitely Yes Probably Yes Probably No Definitely No Not sure [DK/NA]
70.6%
To maintain quality education in Larkspur and Corte Madera with local funding that cannot be taken by the State, shall Larkspur-Corte Madera School District continue support for:
- exceptional instructional
programs, including math science, reading and writing;
- small class sizes; and
- highly qualified teachers;
by renewing the current minimum tax for eight years and increasing it by $185 per parcel as specified in the measure, with senior exemptions, independent citizen oversight, no money for administrators' salaries, and all funds staying local?
70.8%
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- Q9. Potential Opposition Statements
Mail Ballot 2016 (n=279)
Note: The above rating questions have been abbreviated for charting purposes, and responses were recoded to calculate mean scores: “Much More Likely” = +2, “Somewhat More Likely” = +1, and “No Effect” = 0.
1 2 State funding for schools being restored in coming years If SD learns to manage $ properly, not have to pay more In 2012, State increased income & sales tax for education Will really cost homeowners $679 in first year & 5% annual Reduces amount large commercial property owners pay .55 .69 .86 1.06 1.12
No Effect Somewhat More Likely Much More Likely
Tier 2 Tier 1 Tier 3
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- Q10. Informed Support
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% June 2016 Mail Ballot 2016 36.8% 36.4% 30.0% 30.2% 9.2% 9.2% 16.8% 16.8% 7.3% 7.4% Definitely Yes Probably Yes Probably No Definitely No Not sure [DK/NA]
66.6%
To maintain quality education in Larkspur and Corte Madera with local funding that cannot be taken by the State, shall Larkspur-Corte Madera School District continue support for:
- exceptional instructional
programs, including math science, reading and writing;
- small class sizes; and
- highly qualified teachers;
by renewing the current minimum tax for eight years and increasing it by $185 per parcel as specified in the measure, with senior exemptions, independent citizen oversight, no money for administrators' salaries, and all funds staying local?
66.8%
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- Q11. Reasons for Voting No on Measure
Mail Ballot 2016 (n=279)
0% 10% 20% DK/NA/Unsure Undecided/Need more information Other mention Need to be more transparent Need to focus less on building/construction District has excessive staff/Overpaid Automatic 5% increase Schools are fine/OK as is/Not needed Recent bond measures not spend as promised Every year they are asking for more money Education has not improved Dollar amount is too high District has enough $/Need to better budget $ Mismanaged $/Don't trust to spend as promised No more taxes/Too much-high/Cannot afford 0.2% 0.6% 1.7% 0.5% 0.7% 0.8% 0.9% 1.5% 1.7% 2.3% 2.7% 3.4% 4.0% 4.7% 11.9%
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Summary & Recommendations
Ø Respondents give the Larkspur – Corte Madera Elementary School district very high marks for the quality of education, effective use of taxpayer funds and effective management of the renovation and modernization process. Ø The survey revealed a very solid base of voter support for a parcel tax renewal. § Support for the measure in a 2016 Mail Ballot election was 72% on the uninformed test, 70.6% on the interim test and 66.6% on the informed test. § Similarly, support for the measure in the June 2016 election was 71.9% on the un- informed test, 70.8% on the interim test and 66.8% on the informed test. § There is no statistical difference between a 2016 Mail Ballot and the June 2016 election. Ø Top tier features of the measure (listed below in descending order of importance) closely map to the features in the ballot question. § Maintain math, science, reading and writing programs. § Maintain small class sizes. § Attract and retain highly qualified teachers. § Keep school libraries open. § Protect art and music instruction. § Support programs that prepare students for college.
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Summary & Recommendations
Ø Clearly any effort will have to address voter questions effectively, and top tier positive statements (listed below in descending order of importance) are a very strong way to answer voter questions. § All money raised by this measure will go to our elementary and middle schools in the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District, and cannot be taken away by Sacramento. § This measure will maintain the outstanding art, music and electives critical to a well- rounded education. § All funds generated from this measure will go directly to Neil Cummins School, Hall School, and The Cove School to fund core academic programs as well as instructional materials and supplies. § If the measure fails and local funding expires, teachers may be laid-off, class size would increase, and school libraries would close. § None of the money raised by the measure will be used for administrators' salaries. § The District has been very fiscally responsible in managing its finances and previous bonds, and is one of only a few in the State to maintain a Triple A credit rating. Ø Given the survey findings, TBWB and Godbe Research recommend that the Larkspur – Corte Madera Elementary School District begin the process to prepare for a 2016 Mail Ballot election.
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www.godberesearch.com
California and Corporate Offices 1660 South Amphlett Boulevard, Suite 205 San Mateo, CA 94402 Nevada Office 59 Damonte Ranch Parkway, Suite B309 Reno, NV 89521 Pacific Northwest Office 601 108th Avenue NE, Suite 1900 Bellevue, WA 98004
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