Portola Valley Elementary School District: 2017 Revenue Measure - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Page 1 October 2017

Portola Valley Elementary School District:

2017 Revenue Measure Feasibility Survey October 25, 2017

Page 2 October 2017

Overview and Research Objectives

Portola Valley Elementary School District commissioned Godbe Research to conduct a survey of local voters with the following research objectives:

• Gauge the public’s perceptions of whether the District is providing a

quality education to students and effectively managing public funds;

• Assess potential voter support for bond measures to repair and improve

aging schools to protect quality academic instruction with funding that cannot be taken by the State;

• Prioritize projects and programs to be funded with the proceeds;
• Test the influence of supporting and opposing arguments on potential

voter support;

• Identify the rate at which voters will support the measure; and
• Identify any differences in voter support due to demographic and/or voter

behavioral characteristics.

Page 3 October 2017

Methodology Overview

• Data Collection

Landline, cell phone, text to online, and email to online interviewing

• Universe

3,252 likely November 2018 voters in the Portola Valley Elementary School District, with a subsample of those likely to vote in the June 2018 election (2,232).

• Fielding Dates

September 23 through October 4, 2017

• Interview Length

23 minutes

• Sample Size

254 Likely November 2018 voters 153 Likely June 2018 voters (n=59 Landline, n=56 Cell Phone, n=16 Online from email, n=123 Online from text)

• Margin of Error

± 5.90% Likely November 2018 voters ± 7.65% Likely June 2018 voters

The data have been weighted to reflect the actual population characteristics of likely voters in the Portola Valley Elementary School District in terms of their gender, age, and political party type.

Page 4 October 2017

Key Findings

Page 5 October 2017

Opinion on Whether PVESD is Providing a Quality Education / November 2018 (n=254)

Very Favorable 39.0% Somewhat Favorable 28.5% Somewhat Unfavorable 7.3% Very Unfavorable 0.9% Not sure 24.3%

Total Favorable = 67.4% Total Unfavorable = 8.3% Ratio Fav to Unfav = 8.2

Page 6 October 2017

Opinion on Whether PVESD is Effectively Managing Public Funds / November 2018 (n=254)

Very Favorable 16.0% Somewhat Favorable 26.8% Somewhat Unfavorable 14.7% Very Unfavorable 4.2% Not sure 38.3%

Total Favorable = 42.8% Total Unfavorable = 18.9% Ratio Fav to Unfav = 2.3

Page 7 October 2017

Uninformed Support for $40M Bond Measure

November 2018 (n=254)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% November 2018 23.7% 31.1% 14.1% 19.0% 12.0% Definitely Yes Probably Yes Probably No Definitely No DK/NA

54.8%

To repair aging schools to protect quality academic instruction with funding that cannot be taken by the State, shall Portola Valley Elementary School District:

• repair, replace, and add new

classrooms for math, science, reading, writing, and technology instruction.

• replace leaking roofs,
• renovate and replace aging

restrooms,

• build new science classrooms,

and

• acquire, repair, construct

classrooms, equipment, sites and facilities, by issuing $40 million dollars in bonds at legal rates, with independent citizens’ oversight, no money for administrators, and all funds staying local?

Page 8 October 2017

Support for Different Rates

November 2018 (n=254)

Annual Tax per $100,000 18.0% 19.8% 24.5% 29.5% 23.9% 22.6% 23.8% 23.6% 0% 55% $54 $45 $36 $27 Probably Yes Definitely Yes

41.9% 42.4% 48.3% 53.1%

Page 9 October 2017

Features of the Measure

November 2018 (n=254)

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

• 2
• 1

1 2

• F. Make outdoor classroom improvements including…
• N. Renovate existing gym and multi-use facilities and add…
• O. Update playgrounds, play equipment and play…
• M. Repair and reconfigure sidewalks, parking areas and…
• J. Upgrade outdated security alarms, cameras, classroom…
• A. Construct new classrooms
• D. Build new music classrooms and facilities
• C. Renovate and replace aging restrooms
• E. Upgrade classroom computers and instructional…
• G. Repair and update outdated classrooms
• B. Build new science classrooms
• P. Update electrical wiring and wireless networks to…
• K. Upgrade outdated fire alarm systems
• I. Replace outdated electrical, heating and air…
• L. Protect the quality of academic instruction in core…
• H. Repair and replace aging and leaking roofs
• 0.21

0.00 0.16 0.20 0.25 0.26 0.30 0.54 0.56 0.56 0.65 0.68 0.68 0.71 0.85 0.93

Much More Likely

Tier 2 Tier 3 Tier 1

68.6% 28.4%

T-4 T-5

Page 10 October 2017

Influence of Informational Statements

November 2018 (n=254)

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

• I. These measures will support 21st century learning at all

schools

• E. Good schools make our neighborhoods more desirable

and support our property values

• F. The school facilities funded by these measures are

essential to building a strong academic foundation.…

• J. The local residents will have access to the updated

facilities, including music facilities, multipurpose…

• C. None of the money from these measures can be used

to increase salaries, benefits or pensions for…

• H. Portola Valley Elementary School District is proud to

have award-winning schools. These measures protect…

• G. Repairing and replacing old buildings and aging

heating systems, cutting utility bills, and other bond-…

• B. The measures will upgrade classrooms and educational

facilities to meet current health and safety codes

• D. These measures require independent citizens'
• versight and reports to the community to ensure the…
• A. Every penny from these measures will benefit local

schools, be controlled locally, and cannot be taken… 0.66 0.76 0.78 0.81 0.84 0.85 0.88 0.89 0.93 1.04

No Effect Somewhat More Likely Much More Likely

Tier 2 Tier 1

63.5% 42.3%

Page 11 October 2017

Interim Support for $40M Bond Measure

November 2018 (n=254)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Nov 2018 Initial Test Nov 2018 Interim Test 23.7% 22.2% 31.1% 33.0% 14.1% 13.6% 19.0% 20.6% 12.0% 10.6% Definitely Yes Probably Yes Probably No Definitely No DK/NA

55.2%

To repair aging schools to protect quality academic instruction with funding that cannot be taken by the State, shall Portola Valley Elementary School District:

• repair, replace, and add new

classrooms for math, science, reading, writing, and technology instruction.

• replace leaking roofs,
• renovate and replace aging

restrooms,

• build new science classrooms,

and

• acquire, repair, construct

classrooms, equipment, sites and facilities, by issuing $40 million dollars in bonds at legal rates, with independent citizens’ oversight, no money for administrators, and all funds staying local?

54.8%

Page 12 October 2017

Informed Support for $40M Bond Measure

November 2018 (n=254)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Nov 2018 Initial Test Nov 2018 Final Test 23.7% 23.3% 31.1% 27.6% 14.1% 14.2% 19.0% 22.6% 12.0% 12.2% Definitely Yes Probably Yes Probably No Definitely No DK/NA

50.9%

To repair aging schools to protect quality academic instruction with funding that cannot be taken by the State, shall Portola Valley Elementary School District:

• repair, replace, and add new

classrooms for math, science, reading, writing, and technology instruction.

• replace leaking roofs,
• renovate and replace aging

restrooms,

• build new science classrooms,

and

• acquire, repair, construct

classrooms, equipment, sites and facilities, by issuing $40 million dollars in bonds at legal rates, with independent citizens’ oversight, no money for administrators, and all funds staying local?

54.8%

Page 13 October 2017

Summary & Recommendations

• The survey revealed a base of voter support for a single bond measure.
• Support for a $40 million dollar measure in the November 2018 election was 54.8% on

the uninformed test, 55.2% on the interim test and 50.9% on the informed test for November 2018.

• The tax rate analysis suggests that a single bond priced below $30 per $100,000 of

assessed valuation has the best chance of success.

• Top tier features of the measure (listed below) suggest that some of the items in the ballot

question could be revised to increase support.

• Repair and replace aging and leaking roofs.
• Protect the quality of academic instruction in core subjects like math, science, reading,

and writing.

• Replace outdated electrical, heating and air conditioning systems.
• Upgrade outdated fire alarm systems.
• Update electrical wiring and wireless networks to support new classroom computers and

instructional technology.

• Build new science classrooms.
• Repair and update outdated classrooms.

Page 14 October 2017

Summary & Recommendations

• Top tier informational statements (listed below) are important to voters.
• Every penny from these measures will benefit local schools, be controlled locally, and

cannot be taken away by the state.

• These measures require independent citizens' oversight and reports to the community to

ensure the funds are spent as promised.

• The measures will upgrade classrooms and educational facilities to meet current health

and safety codes.

• Repairing and replacing old buildings and aging heating systems, cutting utility bills, and
• ther bond-funded projects will save money on utilities that can be used for classroom

programs.

• Given the survey findings, the 55 percent majority required for approval, Godbe Research

recommends that the Portola Valley Elementary School District continue the process to prepare for a November 2018 single bond measure election.

• Part of the preparation must include substantial community conversations and outreach

and should include a tracking survey in June or July to determine final feasibility.

Page 15 October 2017

www.godberesearch.com

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