SCHOOL DISTRICT FACILITIES SURVEY RESULTS www. F allon allon R esear - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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BUCKEYE VALLEY LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

FACILITIES SURVEY RESULTS

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com Methods

401 Registered Voters in the Buckeye Valley Local School District, within Delaware County, Ohio Telephone Interviews Using a Combination of Valid Residential and Cellular Telephone Listings +/- 4.89% Overall Estimated Margin of Error, with a Confidence Interval of 9.78% Within Which the Results Could Vary February 19 – February 22, 2013 Data was Stratified so that the Differences in Vital Characteristics, such as Age, Gender and Geography are Represented in Proportion to Their Percentages of the Electorate Due to rounding, not all results add to 100%, and the data is presented in a different order than the questions were asked

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com The Opinion Environment

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com

There is a high degree of general contentment and, presumably, satisfaction among residents

Generally speaking, would you say that your community is going in the right direction, or has it gotten off onto the wrong track?

69 17 3 11

20 40 60 80

Right direction Wrong track Mixed Unsure

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com How would you rate the current state of the local economy?

41 36 22 1

20 40 60

Excellent/good Fair Poor/very poor Unsure

The public seems to have favorable views of the economy, so it may not impede them from supporting worthy new initiatives that require more taxes

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Despite local optimism about the economy, personal and household finances have not caught-up, which may make the public timid about raising taxes

Over the past year or so, would you say that your financial situation has gotten better than it was before, stayed about the same or is not as good as it was before?

20 45 34 1

20 40 60

Better Stayed the same Not as good Unsure

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com Over the past year or so, would you say that your financial situation has gotten better than it was before, stayed about the same or is not as good as it was before?

32 44 24

20 40 60

Better Stayed the same Not as good Unsure

Among Current & Future Parents n=117

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There also is modest sensitivity to the rate of taxation, which could prove to be a greater stumbling block to building a consensus

42 53 1 4

20 40 60

Too high Pretty fair Too low Unsure

Generally speaking, would you say that property taxes in your community are too high, mostly pretty fair or too low?

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com Generally speaking, would you say that property taxes in your community are too high, mostly pretty fair or too low?

32 66 1 1

20 40 60 80

Too high Pretty fair Too low Unsure

Among Current & Future Parents

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com Schools & Education

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com Unlike the community, voters exhibit restless and discord about the current state of the school system, which creates an environment that make consensus difficult to find Thinking about the Buckeye Valley Local School District that serves your community, would you say that it is generally going in the right direction, or has it gotten off onto the wrong track?

33 40 4 24

20 40 60

Right direction Wrong track Mixed Unsure

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com Thinking about the Buckeye Valley Local School District that serves your community, would you say that it is generally going in the right direction, or has it gotten off onto the wrong track?

42 46 3 9

20 40 60

Right direction Wrong track Mixed Unsure

Among Current Parents n=99

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com What is the biggest reason you feel that it is going in the right direction?

13% Quality of education is good

11% Scores and ratings are high 10% Have not heard anything bad 8% School system has been financially responsible 7% Good teachers 7% Improving infrastructure 6% Moving towards having one school 5% Like the administrators and principals 4% Keeping up with growth and enrollment 3% Seems fine/Heard from others that it is good 3% Communicates well with the community 2% School system is better than others 2% Approve of recent decisions/Have made good decisions 9% Other 12% Unsure n=131 Open-ended Question

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com What is the biggest reason you feel that it is going in the right direction? Verbatim Response

“I have a son in elementary school and I’m happy with the learning and the teachers.”

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com What is the biggest reason you feel that it is going in the right direction? Verbatim Response

“I think the teachers have the right

• idea. I think they are open to new

things and they seem to care about

• ur children very much.”

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com What is the biggest reason you feel that it is going in the right direction? Verbatim Response

“They seem to have a good

• curriculum. I have some nieces and

nephews who attended schools in the district and I don't know more than what I heard from them and

• thers.”

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com What is the biggest reason you feel that it has gotten off onto the wrong track?

22% Does not represent the interest of communities

16% Mismanagement of funds 7% Opposed to consolidating schools 7% Unhappy with administration or school board 7% Opposed to higher taxes 6% Schools are closing 6% Dissatisfied with quality of education 5% Lack of funding 3% Need to focus on education 3% Unhappy with teacher performance 2% Programs are being cut 2% Lack of community support 1% Have heard negative things 11% Other 2% Unsure n=159 Open-ended Question

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com What is the biggest reason you feel that it has gotten off onto the wrong track? Verbatim Response

“Because they closed down the north elementary school for one and that created lots of problems like overcrowding.”

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com What is the biggest reason you feel that it has gotten off onto the wrong track? Verbatim Response

“Teachers are too worried about keeping the schools open and less worried about teaching the kids in the schools. Teachers worry about protecting their jobs and not about spending money wisely.”

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com What is the biggest reason you feel that it has gotten off onto the wrong track? Verbatim Response

“The school board feels they can make all the decisions without the public's input and I feel the taxpayers should have a say.”

37 24 27 14 28 32 25 16 64 18 4 15 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Overall, how would you rate the job the Buckeye Valley Local School District has done communicating with parents and the public, in order to keep them informed? In your opinion, how would you rate the job that the Buckeye Valley Local School District is doing managing and spending its tax dollars? Overall, how would you rate the quality of education being provided by the Buckeye Valley Local School District?

Total positive rating Fair Total negative rating Unsure ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com

Despite restlessness and disenchantment about finances, the public seems to place a high value and premium on the quality of education being offered to students

53 21 25 1 38 33 21 8 86 13 1 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Overall, how would you rate the job the Buckeye Valley Local School District has done communicating with parents and the public, in order to keep them informed? In your opinion, how would you rate the job that the Buckeye Valley Local School District is doing managing and spending its tax dollars? Overall, how would you rate the quality of education being provided by the Buckeye Valley Local School District?

Total positive rating Fair Total negative rating Unsure

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com Among Current Parents

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com

There appears to be a deep division among the public about whether to make more cuts or seek a levy to preserve services

As you may or may not know, because of uncertainty regarding future state funding, the Buckeye Local School District will likely be facing a deficit, in which it will be spending more than it is receiving in funding. As a result, do you think that the school district should…

40 43 6 11

20 40

Make more cuts Seek approval for levy Both Unsure

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com As you may or may not know, because of uncertainty regarding future state funding, the Buckeye Local School District will likely be facing a deficit, in which it will be spending more than it is receiving in funding. As a result, do you think that the school district should…

4043 15 67 49 36 50 35 24 56 37 47 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

OVERALL Current parents Non-parents Republicans Democrats Unaffiliated

More cuts Seek levy

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com As you may or may not know, because of uncertainty regarding future state funding, the Buckeye Local School District will likely be facing a deficit, in which it will be spending more than it is receiving in funding. As a result, do you think that the school district should…

40 43 40 49 27 64 45 33 47 36 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

OVERALL 18 to 29 30 to 44 45 to 59 60 and older

More cuts Seek levy

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com Buildings & Facilities

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com

As you may or may not know, this past August voters in the Buckeye Valley Local School District rejected a combined .25 percent income tax for additional operating dollars and a $30 million dollar bond issue to build a single elementary school on Coover Road, which was part of a proposed plan to replace the three existing elementary schools in various parts of the District.

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There is very little public support for the idea of a consolidated elementary school, which may have been presaged by the August election results

Regardless of how you may have voted on this issue, generally speaking, do you think it is a good or bad idea to build a single elementary school on Coover Road to replace the three existing elementary schools in various parts of the District?

31 57 2 11

20 40 60 80

Good idea Bad idea Mixed Unsure

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Regardless of how you may have voted on this issue, generally speaking, do you think it is a good or bad idea to build a single elementary school on Coover Road to replace the three existing elementary schools in various parts of the District?

31 57 36 58 26 61 28 55 41 51 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

OVERALL Current/future parents High propensity Moderate propensity Low propensity

Good idea Bad idea

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com What is the biggest reason that you feel it is a bad idea?

39% Will create transportation problems/Too far away

11% It’s not necessary

8% Dislike consolidating schools/Prefer small schools 8% Would rather renovate current schools 6% Is bad for the community 5% Cost is too high 5% Will be too crowded 3% Can’t afford it/Poor economy 2% Taxes are high enough 1% Opposed to having all ages in one location 11% Other 1% Unsure n=234 Open-ended Question

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com What is the biggest reason that you feel it is a bad idea? Verbatim Response

“I think that the extensive amount of time on the bus for young children would be a problem; the schools are spread out throughout the communities and you would lose the feel of the community by building a mega school.”

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com What is the biggest reason that you feel it is a bad idea? Verbatim Response

“I don't think there is anything wrong with the schools there. I think the students will get more attention the way it is currently. Having all elementary students in one school will have some kids neglected.”

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com What is the biggest reason that you feel it is a bad idea? Verbatim Response

“I guess spending $30 million to save a small amount of

• money. That's the way it was

presented to the district - to save a little bit of money in

• rder to spend $30 million is
• crazy. Penny-wise, it sounds

foolish.”

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com

The public is polarized about the decision to close North Elementary School

Do you favor or oppose the decision made this past summer to close the North Elementary School, in order to reduce operating costs?

41 39 20

20 40

Favor Oppose Unsure

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com Do you favor or oppose the decision made this past summer to close the North Elementary School, in order to reduce operating costs?

4139 51 43 4844 46 40 45 35 29 41 10 20 30 40 50 60

OVERALL Current/future parents 18 to 29 30 to 44 45 to 59 60 and older

Favor Oppose

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com

The public is divided about the configuration of the elementary schools…

Supposing for a moment that you were deciding how many elementary schools there would be in the Buckeye Valley Local School District, would you prefer to have... 37% 3 elementary schools, which would mean using the existing East and West Elementary School buildings, and re-opening the North Elementary School 26% 2 elementary schools, which would mean just using the existing East and West Elementary School buildings 23% 1 elementary school, which would mean building a larger new building to accommodate all the elementary school students 14% Unsure Forced Choice Battery

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…And so are parents!

Supposing for a moment that you were deciding how many elementary schools there would be in the Buckeye Valley Local School District, would you prefer to have... 40% 3 elementary schools, which would mean using the existing East and West Elementary School buildings, and re-opening the North Elementary School 27% 2 elementary schools, which would mean just using the existing East and West Elementary School buildings 28% 1 elementary school, which would mean building a larger new building to accommodate all the elementary school students 5% Unsure Among Current & Future Parents

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com

If forced to choose between just 2 options, a majority support the idea of 3 neighborhood schools over a single one

Generally speaking, when leaders are making decisions about how many elementary schools there will be in the Buckeye Valley Local School District, do you think it is more important to have…

58 29 13

20 40 60

3 neighborhood schools, so there is

• ne in each area of the district

A single school, which will cost less to staff and operate Unsure

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com Generally speaking, when leaders are making decisions about how many elementary schools there will be in the Buckeye Valley Local School District, do you think it is more important to have…

56 32 12

20 40 60

3 neighborhood schools, so there is

• ne in each area of the district

A single school, which will cost less to staff and operate Unsure

Among Current & Future Parents*

* Differences were not statistically significant

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com

There is a no clear – or actionable -- consensus among public about the disposition of the buildings

5 32 34 29 5 31 28 36 9 28 34 29

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

West Elementary School building be replaced, renovated or have nothing done to it at this time? East Elementary School building be replaced, renovated or have nothing done to it at this time? North Elementary School building be replaced, renovated or have nothing done to it at this time?

Replaced Renovated Nothing Unsure

In your opinion, should the…

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com

6 33 46 15 7 34 30 30 14 25 38 22

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

West Elementary School building be replaced, renovated or have nothing done to it at this time? East Elementary School building be replaced, renovated or have nothing done to it at this time?* North Elementary School building be replaced, renovated or have nothing done to it at this time?

Replaced Renovated Nothing Unsure

In your opinion, should the… Among Current & Future Parents

* Differences were not statistically significant

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com Do you agree or disagree with people who say that they would be willing to pay more in property taxes, in order to have 3 neighborhood schools, so there is one in each area of the district and students can attend schools closer to their homes?

Disagree 40% Unsure 8% Agree 51%

It appears that paying for 3 elementary schools is not as popular as having them

51 40 55 39 62 38 54 40 41 48 55 34 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

OVERALL Current/future parents 18 to 29 30 to 44 45 to 59 60 and older

Agree Disagree

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com Do you agree or disagree with people who say that they would be willing to pay more in property taxes, in order to have 3 neighborhood schools, so there is one in each area of the district and students can attend schools closer to their homes?

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com Do you agree or disagree with people who say that they would be willing to pay more in property taxes, in order to have 3 neighborhood schools, so there is one in each area of the district and students can attend schools closer to their homes?

53 58 46 44 41 34 20 40 60 High propensity Moderate propensity Low propensity Agree Disagree

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com Conclusion

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com Key Findings Re-cap

• Voters are ambivalent about the job the District is doing managing its finances, and whether

more funding is needed. These indicators portend potential difficulty that an operating levy might encounter, if one is placed before voters for consideration

• There is not a clear consensus about elementary school facility needs, but survey results

unambiguously indicate that there is little support for a single consolidated elementary school

• The community is polarized on the matter of closing the North Elementary School, and less

than half of the respondents said they would prefer re-opening it, and operating all 3 elementary schools

• Slightly less than half of the respondents said they would be willing to pay more property

taxes in order to have 3 neighborhood schools, so such a request could encounter modest resistance from voters, including a notable portion of District parents

• It appears that the primary point of dissension within the community is money, rather than

buildings, which are merely serving as a context for the dialogue about the District’s future

• The fact that nearly two-thirds of the voters rated the quality of education provided by the

District as excellent or good indicates that the public is quite satisfied the District’s performance of its core function of educating children in the community, and that other tangential matters have not affected views about this aspect

ww www.Fallon allonResear esearch.com h.com

QUESTIONS?