Queensbury. Union Free School District School Budget Vote Exit Survey Report

Transcription

1 Queensbury Union Free School District 2013 School Budget Vote Exit Survey Report PRODUCED IN COOPERATION WITH THE CAPITAL REGION BOCES COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE, JUNE 2013

2 2 Introduction The Queensbury Union Free School District conducted an exit survey during its Annual School Budget Vote on May 21, The purpose was to collect demographic data about who voted on the budget and information about why voters voted the way they did. Of the 1,329 The survey was voluntary and anonymous. Surveys were made available to voters at the polling site for anyone who chose to fill one out after voting. While these results do not represent the opinions of all voters, they do provide many residents perceptions about the district and its proposed budget. residents who voted, 842 chose to fill out an exit The following data were compiled by the Capital Region BOCES Communications Service in cooperation with the BOCES public information specialist assigned to Queensbury, Mellissa Braham. survey, a response rate of 63%. Please note: Percentages, where provided, are out of the number of survey participants who responded to that particular question, and not out of the total number of survey participants. For some questions, total percentages may add up to more than 100% because participants were able to select more than one answer choice. Who voted in Queensbury s annual budget vote? In 2013, 1,329 residents voted on Queensbury s budget. This turnout is 330 voters less than last year s (20% decline) and more than 40% less than in 2010, when more than 2,300 residents came out to the polls. Of the 1,329 residents who voted this year, 842 chose to fill out an exit survey, a response rate of 63%. This is 9 percentage points lower than last year s response rate. A significant majority of survey respondents are not alumni of the school district. Just 18% indicated that they had graduated from Queensbury, similar to 2011 (17%) and 2012 (16%). Voters over the age of 44 constituted 66% of all survey respondents, down slightly from 69% last year. Only 5% of voters said they were between 18 and 29 years of age, which is similar to the last two years. The chart to the right shows the breakdown of survey respondents by age group for the past three years. RESPONDENTS BY AGE GROUP: THREE-YEAR TREND 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 36% 30% 32% 37% 40% 34% 24% 26% 28% 4% 4% 5% Voter opinions about the district Survey results show that 66% of respondents give the district a grade of A for its educational quality, up from 64% in 2012 and 62% in Another 30% gave it a grade of B, while 4% gave the district a grade of C or lower, compared to 5% in 2012 and 8% in

3 3 More than half of survey respondents (59%) said the budget reductions made in the proposed budget were appropriate, while about one-quarter (27%) said they were too much and 15% said they were too little. Regarding the state s property tax levy cap, 73% said they agree with the district s decision to stay within its tax levy limit, compared with 10% who said they disagree. About 4% of respondents said they were unaware of a tax levy limit, and 13% said they have no opinion about it. Looking to the future, two-thirds of respondents (68%) said they would be willing to support exceeding the tax levy limit in order to avoid further reductions to current programs and services. [Note: The percentage is out of the 825 respondents who answered this question; 217 respondents gave no answer.] Parent and non-parent voters Consistent with last year, 13% of respondents in 2013 said they do not have children. Of the 87% who said they do, a majority indicated that their children are past high school age. Below is the breakdown by school level for the past three years: Attending pre-school or younger... 6%...7%...9% Attending Queensbury Elementary...19%... 23%... 25% Attending WHBI...13%... 15%... 17% Attending Queensbury Middle School...18%... 20%... 21% Attending Queensbury High School...19%...21%... 19% Past high school age... 61%... 54%... 51% Attending private school... n/a...2%... <1% The budget approval rate among survey respondents was 84% compared to 77% among all voters. How did Queensbury residents vote? Of the 842 voters who completed an exit survey this year, 9 participants did not indicate how they voted on the budget. Of those who did, 698 said they voted yes on the budget, while 135 said they voted no. This ACTUAL VS. SURVEY APPROVAL RATES: represents a margin of 84% in favor and 16% opposed. THREE-YEAR TREND The actual approval rate of the budget was 77% a difference of 7 percentage points meaning that a slightly higher percentage of yes voters filled out an exit survey than did no voters. In our experience, this is not uncommon with school budget vote exit surveys. 100% Based on exit survey data, alumni status was not a significant factor in how respondents voted, with about one percentage point separating the approval rates of the two groups: 85% among graduates and 84% among those who did not graduate from Queensbury. 0% Budget approval rates among different voter categories 75% 68% 73% 75% 81% 77% 84% 50% 25% Actual Approval Rate Survey Approval Rate 2013

4 4 As was the case in each of the last two years, the budget approval rate was generally higher among younger respondents than among older ones. AGE GROUP APPROVAL RATING %... 94%...88% %...92%...95% %...82%...88% %...72%... 71% Although a majority of survey respondents approved the budget regardless of parental status, those with children voted in favor of the budget at a higher rate (85%) than those without children (78%), as was the case in each of the last two years. Of those with children, support for the budget was highest among respondents with children in pre-school or younger (97%) and children attending Queensbury Middle School (95%). Budget support was lowest among respondents with children past high school age. (Note: The 100% approval rating among respondents with children attending private school represents three responses.) CHILD S ENROLLMENT APPROVAL RATING Attending pre-school or younger...92%... 90%...97% Attending Queensbury Elementary... 88%... 93%...92% Attending WHBI... 89%...91%...92% Attending Queensbury Middle School... 80%... 92%...95% Attending Queensbury High School...78%... 86%...88% Past high school age...70%... 79%...79% Attending private school... n/a... 62% % Nearly all respondents (97%) who said the budget reductions were appropriate voted yes on the budget, compared with 91% who said they were too much and 80% who said they were too little. Regardless of respondents opinions about the district s decision to stay within its tax levy limit, more than three-quarters said they voted yes on the budget. The highest approval rate (87%) was among those who said the agree with the decision, and the lowest rate was among those who said they disagree (78%). Among those who said they would support exceeding the tax levy limit in the future in order to save current programs and services, 99% voted yes on the When do Queensbury residents vote? Late afternoon and early evening hours from 4 p.m. until the polls closed at 8:30 p.m. remained the most popular voting time blocks among survey respondents. The most popular time was 7-8:30 p.m.,* when 21% of respondents voted, followed by 15% from 6-7 p.m., 10% from 4-5 p.m., and 9% from 5-6 p.m. and 11 a.m.-noon. During each of the other time blocks, 6% to less than 9% of respondents voted. The budget approval rate was highest among those voting between 2-3 p.m. (90%), and it was lowest between noon and 1 p.m. (73%). *NOTE: All time blocks were one hour, except for the 7-8:30 p.m. block (90 minutes), which may contribute to the higher percentage.

5 budget this year, compared with just 45% who said they would not support exceeding the cap. Significant majorities of respondents who gave the district grades of A or B approved the budget, while less than one-third of those giving a grade of C did. Five respondents gave the district a grade of D, and another five gave the district a grade of F; none of these 10 respondents voted in favor of the budget. DISTRICT GRADE APPROVAL RATING A... 88%... 91%... 92% B... 64%...74%...77% C... 19%...34%...29% D... 17%...50%...0% F...0% %...0% Why do voters vote the way they do? The following, in descending order, are reasons given by the yes respondents for approving the budget in I support education...81% The budget meets the needs of students...52% The budget increase of 2.20% is reasonable... 34% The tax levy increase of 2.93% is reasonable... 28% Other reason [see comments, p. XX]... 4% The following, in descending order, are the reasons given by the no respondents for voting against the budget in I support education, but can t afford the cost... 51% The tax levy increase of 2.93% is too high...42% The budget increase of 2.20% is too high...37% Other reason [see comments, p. XX]...25% The budget does not meet the needs of students... 8% The budget increase of 2.20% is too low... 0% The school tax levy increase of 2.93% is too low... 0% From this data, one can draw a few conclusions; namely, that: An overwhelming majority of those indicating a yes vote said they support education. 5

6 Compared with 2012 exit survey date, of those who said they voted no this year, a lower percentage said they were motivated to do so by the proposed tax levy increase of 2.93% even though it was higher than the 2.18% tax levy increase proposed last year (60% of respondents in 2012, compared with 42% this year). Half of those who said they voted no said they support education but cannot afford the cost, up from 40% in Where do voters get their information? Overwhelmingly, survey respondents rely on the district newsletter, with 64% saying it was their best source of information about the budget and school board candidates. The Post Star newspaper was cited by 34%, followed by the district website, at 22%. Exit survey data since 2011 indicate an increasing reliance on district-generated information sources District newsletter... 58%... 60%... 64% The Post Star...42%... 39%... 34% District website...19%...19%...22% District brochure...18%...17%...19% Word of mouth...17%...21%...18% The Chronicle...17%... 18%...14% School board meetings/forums...12%... 9%...13% District Facebook/Twitter... 3%... 4%... 6% Look News (Channel 8)... 2%... 3%... 2% Based on exit survey data, respondents use of the district website is steady. On this year s survey, 30% said they never visit the site, which is comparable to As was the case last year, 15% of respondents said they visit the district s site on a daily basis. More respondents are routinely visiting the district s Facebook or Twitter pages than in previous years. In 2013, 17% said they visit the pages once a week or more, compared to 10% in Nearly three-quarters, 72%, said they have never visited either site, a decrease of 9 percentage points from 2012 (81%). Budget approval rates were higher among respondents whose said their best sources of information were district-generated, compared to those who relied on traditional media. 6

7 BEST INFO SOURCE 7 APPROVAL RATING District Facebook/Twitter... 92%... 91%...100% District website... 87%... 93%...91% School board meetings/forums... 83%... 81%...91% District brochure... 83%... 91%... 90% District newsletter...80%...88%... 89% Word of mouth... 81%...89%...85% The Post Star... 59%... 74%...71% The Chronicle... 55%... 75%... 64% Look News (Channel 8)... 53%... 65%...59% Survey data shows that approval rates were also higher among respondents who said they more regularly visit the district s website (91% and 97% who visit weekly and daily, respectively, compared with 86% who visit monthly and 70% who never visit the site). Similarly, the budget approval rate among respondents who said they visit the district s social media channels was 90% or higher, compared with 81% who said they never visit them. Who were the yes voters in Queensbury? Of the 698 survey respondents who said they voted yes on the budget: 22% voted between 7-8:30 p.m. (most popular time among yes voters) 62% are at least 45 years old 18% are graduates of Queensbury schools 88% have children; of these, 47% have children past high school age 72% gave the district a grade of A for its educational quality; 27% gave a grade of B, and 6 respondents gave a grade of C. None gave a D or F 68% said they thought the budget reductions were appropriate 74% agree with the district s decision to stay within its tax levy limit; 10% disagree 82% would support Queensbury exceeding its tax cap in future years to preserve programs and services 68% said the district newsletter was their best source of information about the budget proposal, while 29% said the same about The Post Star 40% visit the district website at least once a week, and 31% visit the district s Facebook and/or Twitter pages at least occasionally

8 Who were the no voters in Queensbury? Of the 135 survey respondents who said they voted no on the budget: 15% voted between 11 a.m. and noon (most popular time among no voters) 86% are at least 45 years old 16% are graduates of Queensbury schools 82% have children; of these, 73% have children past high school age 34% gave the district a grade of A for its educational quality; 45% gave a grade of B, and 21% gave a grade of C or lower 74% said they thought the budget reductions were too little; 15% thought they were too much 63% agree with the district s decision to stay within its tax levy limit; 15% disagree 97% would not support Queensbury exceeding its tax cap in future years to preserve programs and services 63% said The Post Star newspaper was their best source of information, while 46% said the same about the district newsletter 15% visit the district website at least once a week; 14% visit the district s Facebook and/or Twitter pages at least occasionally 8

9 Survey Summary: Survey participants responses to all questions Please note: Some comments have been edited to remove inappropriate references to specific individuals as indicated by [ ]. 9

10 10 1. Voting time Percent Count a.m. 6.3% a.m.-12 noon 9.1% p.m. 6.1% p.m. 7.1% p.m. 7.1% p.m. 8.7% p.m. 10.3% p.m. 9.1% p.m. 15.2% :30 p.m. 20.9% 176 answered question 842 skipped question 0 2. How did you vote on the proposed school budget? Percent Count 83.8% % 135 answered question 833 skipped question 9

11 11 3. If you voted YES on the budget, it was because (please check all that apply): Percent Count The budget meets the needs of students. 52.4% 364 The budget increase of 2.20% is reasonable. 34.0% 236 The tax levy increase of 2.93% is reasonable. 28.1% 195 I support education. 81.0% 563 Other (please specify) 4.2% 29 answered question 695 skipped question 147

12 12 Q3. If you voted YES on the budget, it was because (please check all that apply): 1 Even though I don't agree with the way some money is spent and wasted Jun 13, :50 PM 2 Stay reasonable Jun 11, :39 PM 3 No response Jun 11, :23 PM 4 Maintain must curriculum Jun 11, :49 AM 5 Need Special Ed classroom Jun 11, :46 AM 6 Fed/state push downs and mandates leave little choice Jun 10, :26 PM 7 Reductions in line with increase Jun 10, :12 PM 8 Art! Jun 10, :09 PM 9 Budget meets some needs of students Jun 10, :17 AM 10 Less teacher lay offs (future teacher bias?) :) Jun 7, :18 PM 11 I teach in the district Jun 7, :38 PM 12 Would prefer a higher rate to restore programs Jun 7, :37 PM 13 There's not much "fat" left to cut. Jun 5, :56 PM 14 We need to invest in our kids and all our future. Jun 5, :29 PM 15 I know the board is trying their best to keep costs reasonable. Although I wish the costs were lower. Jun 5, :26 PM 16 No response Jun 5, :19 AM 17 I'm okay with higher taxes for school Jun 5, :14 AM 18 To save education positions Jun 5, :58 AM 19 No response. Jun 5, :39 AM 20 Upset about teacher pensions but still voted yes..reluctantly Jun 4, :31 PM 21 Many people I know would be let go. Jun 4, :28 PM 22 I work for the district. Jun 4, :19 PM 23 QUFSD employee :) Jun 4, :52 AM 24 To stop cutting in schools Jun 4, :39 AM 25 Specially the music program Jun 4, :27 AM 26 I appreciate the Queensbury faculty and staff Jun 3, :35 PM 27 Situation would be worse without an approved budget Jun 3, :23 PM 28 It s a great district! Jun 3, :16 PM 29 Would have voted for a higher increase to spend "more" per pupil Jun 3, :00 PM

13 13 4. If you voted NO on the budget, it was because (please check all that apply): Percent Count The budget does not meet the needs of students. 7.6% 10 The budget increase of 2.20% is too high. 37.1% 49 The budget increase of 2.20% is too low. 0.0% 0 The tax levy increase of 2.93% is too high. 42.4% 56 The tax levy increase of 2.93% is too low. 0.0% 0 I support education, but can't afford the cost. 50.8% 67 Other (please specify) 25.0% 33 answered question 132 skipped question 710

14 14 Q4. If you voted NO on the budget, it was because (please check all that apply): 1 A great education can be provided at a lower cost. Cut technology and extra supplies. Jun 11, :11 PM 2 I support education but not the beautification of ground 3 Employees need to contribute 50% toward health insurance Jun 11, :07 PM 4 I support education and appreciate the district's efforts to control cost but I see waste and inefficiency in some areas. Jun 11, :06 PM 5 Too much toward retirement Jun 11, :05 PM 6 Too much $ for Sp. Ed. not enough for gifted Jun 11, :04 PM 7 Can you ever vote on a budget that has no increase? Jun 11, :02 PM 8 Can't stand >QDPH UHPRYHG@ 9 Input from meetings not taken seriously 10 Teachers benefits too costly 11 Too much spent on pay increases not enough on education Jun 10, :20 AM 12 Too much waste Jun 10, :18 AM 13 Too much waste Jun 10, :15 AM 14 School makes irresponsible fiscal decisions Jun 10, :11 AM 15 In ten years you have raised my taxes over 20% my income did not go up 20% Jun 10, :08 AM 16 The tax payers are already stretched too thin Jun 10, :05 AM 17 Taxation with no rep. Jun 7, :30 PM 18 Principles Jun 7, :27 PM 19 Cut inefficiency- teach basics Jun 7, :52 AM 20 Cut inefficiency. Basic education suffices. Jun 7, :24 AM 21 enrollment down, budget up Jun 5, :37 PM 22 No response Jun 5, :23 PM 23 Need to limit teacher raises and benefits Jun 5, :17 AM 24 How does the increase in the tax base compare with the increase in the levy? Jun 5, :07 AM 25 Poss. use of Uevenue not controlling sal./benefits. What reductions? It went up over 1 million. Jun 5, :06 AM 26 No info as to what budget would be if only in accordance with state mandates Jun 4, :50 PM Jun 11, :10 PM Jun 11, :57 PM Jun 10, :32 AM Jun 10, :24 AM

15 15 Q4. If you voted NO on the budget, it was because (please check all that apply): as to kindergarten, sports, trans. etc. 27 Cost of benefits by the taxpayer are too high. My school taxes in 40+ years has only increased cost of benefits, should be equally shared. Jun 4, :16 AM 28 There is waste that can be cut Jun 4, :01 AM 29 Teacher contracts unreal/no good Jun 4, :55 AM 30 I haven't had a raise in 10 years Jun 4, :54 AM 31 Teachers should pay more for health ins./pension Jun 4, :17 AM 32 Can't afford my home now Jun 4, :04 AM 33 Too much spenw on sports Jun 4, :02 AM

16 16 5. In your opinion, the budget reductions made to create the school budget proposal are: Percent Count Appropriate 59.1% 462 Too much 26.5% 207 Too little 14.5% 113 answered question 782 skipped question 60

17 17 6. How do you feel about the district's decision to stay within its tax levy limit or "cap"? Percent Count Agree 72.9% 577 Disagree 10.2% 81 I have no opinion 13.1% 104 I did not know there was a tax levy limit 3.8% 30 answered question 792 skipped question In the future, would you be willing to support an increase in the tax levy that exceeds the district's tax levy limit in order to avoid further reductions to current programs and services? Percent Count Yes 67.5% 422 No 32.5% 203 answered question 625 skipped question 217

18 18 8. What were your best sources of information about the budget and school board candidates? (Check all that apply.) Percent Count District newsletter 64.2% 509 District brochure 19.4% 154 District website 21.9% 174 District Facebook/Twitter sites 6.3% 50 Board meetings and forums 12.6% 100 Word of mouth 17.9% 142 The Post Star 34.3% 272 The Chronicle 14.4% 114 Look News (Channel 8) 2.3% 18 answered question 793 skipped question On average, how frequently do you visit: Never Once a month or less Once a week Daily Rating Count The district website 29.5% (241) 35.1% (287) 20.8% (170) 14.7% (120) 818 The district Facebook page and/or Twitter page 72.1% (525) 11.1% (81) 9.5% (69) 7.3% (53) 728 answered question 825 skipped question 17

19 In general, how would you grade education in Queensbury? Percent Count A 65.8% 519 B 30.2% 238 C 2.8% 22 D 0.6% 5 F 0.6% 5 answered question 789 skipped question What age group are you in? Percent Count % % % % 268 answered question 829 skipped question 13

20 Are you a graduate of Queensbury? Percent Count Yes, I am a graduate 17.6% 146 No, I am not a graduate 82.4% 682 answered question 828 skipped question Do you have children? Percent Count Yes, I have children 86.7% 723 No, I do not have children 13.3% 111 answered question 834 skipped question 8

21 If you have children, check all that apply. Percent Count Attending pre-school or too young for school 9.3% 66 Attending private school 0.4% 3 Attending Queensbury Elementary School 25.0% 177 Attending WHBI 16.8% 119 Attending Queensbury Middle School 21.4% 152 Attending Queensbury High School 18.6% 132 Past high school age 51.2% 363 answered question 709 skipped question 133

22 22 Q15. Additional comments 1 The budget meets the needs of students. Jun 13, :50 PM 2 Don't agree with the consumer+career cut in the M.S. Bad decision. Jun 13, :50 PM 3 Question 4: Stay within but go higher Question 8: Class sizes too high! We need a Pre-K in this district! The budget does not meet the needs of students. The budget increase of 2.20% is too low. Jun 13, :49 PM 4 The budget does not meet the needs of students. Jun 13, :49 PM 5 Question 4: Should be below cap by 1/2% Question 11: Grown children Jun 13, :44 PM 6 Question 10: Almost Jun 13, :44 PM 7 Please give the teachers a contract! Jun 13, :42 PM 8 Question 11: Grandchildren Jun 13, :39 PM 9 Question 7: Facebook page not Twitter page Jun 11, :43 PM 10 Question 6: Know candidate Question 11: Two-both graduated from QHS Jun 11, :41 PM 11 Question 8: A++ Jun 11, :28 PM 12 Question 8: B+ Jun 11, :36 PM 13 Question 9: Really? Jun 11, :24 PM 14 Question 3: Concerned about lost teaching positions Jun 11, :00 PM 15 Question 8: B+ Jun 11, :24 AM 16 Not happy that we spend less per student than other schools. Jun 11, :22 AM 17 QUFSD Rules! Jun 11, :19 AM 18 Grandchildren in Elem school Jun 11, :06 AM 19 Question 3: State funding as well Jun 10, :26 PM 20 High school is a disgrace. Teachers are inappropriate, sarcastic, and seldom willing to help students. Very little real teaching happens. Students must teach themselves. Teachers hand out work sheets and pass time on computures and cell phones. Student behavior is atrocious. Jun 10, :11 AM 21 Need to balance program and staff teaching cuts with Administration- the admin side is rarely reported but cuts to teaching gets headlines- how do we as voters know if the right balance is being achieved? Jun 7, :47 PM 22 I feel it is very unfortunate that QUFSD had to make such reductions to its budget to satisfy government mandates which are un- or underfunded. I appreciate that the District was able to stay under the tdx cap BUT I am definitely not opposed to the cap being exceeded in the earnest effort to maintain qualitiy education and enrichment programs for all our students. Also, I appreciate all the Jun 7, :13 PM

23 23 Q15. Additional comments literature about the budget through the newsletter, website and brochure. Thank you for providing a great education and learning environment for our kids! 23 Question 8: Between B and C Jun 7, :23 PM 24 Question 8: A and B Jun 7, :20 PM 25 Still need smaller class sizes. Need technology instructors at all age levels. Jun 7, :10 PM 26 The state cannot afford teacher pensions to the degree the\ do. We are broke. Catholic schools consistently do a better job and for less.this is why I have voted no for this budget. Parents should be able to thake their hard earned tax dollars and, as their chidren's prlmary educator, be free to use those dollars for the school of their choice as a matter of social justice. Please know, too, I haye SERIOUS fears about COMMON CORE. Not only its cost, but how it will be implemented its one size fits all approach and the data mining which is just wrong. Government overreach that over state and district should reject! Jun 7, :24 PM 27 Question 4: 2.999%? within by a hair Jun 7, :16 PM 28 The superintendent and principals should take a cut in pay Jun 7, :10 PM 29 I know schools are in tough financial straits. However I'd like to see cuts to the sports programs as they currently exist and see more athletic pursuits so that all children are involved. I think you could get more kids involved for far less money once you factor in coaches, equipment, playinj surfaces (fields), cleaning, lights, transportation, insurance, etc. Jun 7, :20 PM 30 Question 8: A- Question 11: Grandchildren attending Jun 7, :52 AM 31 Please no more reductions in staff or cuts to the program! Jun 7, :17 AM 32 Teachers need a contract! Jun 7, :14 AM 33 Question 4: Not to the detriment of education- ie: music and other cuts Jun 7, :05 AM 34 Need to do more with BOCES and less with accelerated students BOCES students will most likely stay in area and need to be equipped to help sustain community not be a burden. Jun 7, :17 AM 35 The student artwork and posters in the voting area are a bit too much. Its too transparent. Jun 7, :01 AM 36 Get the contract done. Show the teachers will value their hard work! ShoZ how much we value education in Queensbury! Keep up the rest of the excellent work! Jun 7, :11 AM 37 Question 8: B+ Jun 5, :00 PM 38 Question 1: Support our kids :) Question 7: The district website- 3-4x a week Jun 5, :29 PM 39 School taxes are enormous a detulment to house sales 40 Class sizes too big in elementary school. Please stop cutting programs. Keep elementary class sizes low, less than 20 for K-2 Jun 5, :42 PM Jun 5, :26 PM

24 24 Q15. Additional comments 41 Question 8: A+ Jun 5, :17 PM 42 Question 11: Consider adding grandchildren Jun 5, :39 PM 43 Question 11: Q'by grads Jun 5, :55 AM 44 Question 11: Adults- graduated from QHS Jun 5, :42 AM 45 Question 8: A and B Question 11: My children are Qbury grads. Jun 5, :35 AM 46 Current QFA member Jun 5, :30 AM 47 For working people polls need to open much eariler like they do for general election voting Jun 5, :20 AM 48 Should have made convenient voting for handicapped people Jun 5, :13 AM 49 Question 8: A and B Jun 5, :03 AM 50 Question 11: Grandson Jun 5, :41 AM 51 Question 10: A few more weeks... Jun 5, :21 AM 52 Question 11: Grandsom attending Queensbury Elementary School Jun 5, :19 AM 53 Question 11: Children graduated from Qsby. Jun 5, :07 AM 54 Question 11: Grandchildren attending WHBI Jun 4, :38 PM 55 Don't take money from the substitutes as other districts have done. Keep as many sports teams as possible. In all cases think of the children first. Jun 4, :28 PM 56 Question 8: A- Jun 4, :17 PM 57 1) Neeed to control outrageous retirement + benefits for teachers. They work 180 a year and by no means 8 hours a day- yes, their job is difficult (as are police, firemen, nurses, etc.!!). 2) The writing skills for Queensbury students are terrible!! I review scholarship applications and also have noted the lack of proper English skills in my children (who are Qsby graduates). Jun 4, :16 PM 58 I had occasion recently to visit Qburry Elementary school to leave "past their prime" dresses for the drama club. When I walked in the door, I found four women- one reading the newspaper and the others listening. And they didn't know what I was talking about or who wanted the dresses (it was in the brochure that came to the house) You have more people working than you need it seemv. Jun 4, :07 PM 59 Question 8: Writing skills of Qsby students are atrocious. Jun 4, :38 PM 60 Question 8: Both B and C circled Perhaps administrators could take a pay cut before you eliminate any more positions! Jun 4, :19 PM 61 Question 8: A++ Jun 4, :41 AM 62 I would like to see the teachers contribute more to their pension. I would also like Jun 4, :14 AM

25 25 Q15. Additional comments to see pension replaced by 401K or 403B plan where teachers an admin contribute. I paid for 100% of my retirement. I think the teachers+ admin. should also. Present syswem is unsustainable. 63 Question 8: A and B Jun 4, :28 AM 64 Question 8: A- Jun 4, :00 AM 65 Question 11: Have had kids in this school Jun 4, :04 AM 66 Other countries do not place the emphasis on sports we do- they all rank higher. Jun 4, :02 AM 67 Stop reducing teaching positions. Administration and support should be cut deeper. Jun 3, :39 PM 68 Kids recieved an amazing edu. at Qby. Jun 3, :19 PM

26 Cross-Tabulation: Budget approval rates for each answer choice Based on respondents answers to each question, what percentage voted yes and what percentage voted no? 9 26

27 27 How did you vote on the proposed school budget? Voting time answered question a.m a.m. noon p.m. p.m. p.m. 75.5% 73.7% 72.5% 88.3% 89.5% 79.8% (40) (56) (37) (53) (51) (237) 24.5% 26.3% 27.5% 11.7% 10.5% 20.2% (13) (20) (14) (7) (6) (60) skipped question 4 How did you vote on the proposed school budget? Voting time answered question :30 p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. 86.3% 83.7% 81.3% 85.8% 89.1% 86.0% (63) (72) (61) (109) (156) (461) 13.7% 16.3% 18.7% 14.2% 10.9% 14.0% (10) (14) (14) (18) (19) (75) skipped question 5

28 28 How did you vote on the proposed school budget? In your opinion, the budget reductions made to create the school budget proposal are: Appropriate Too much Too little 97.0% (446) 91.2% (186) 19.6% (22) 84.3% (654) 3.0% (14) 8.8% (18) 80.4% (90) 15.7% (122) answered question skipped question 6

29 29 How did you vote on the proposed school budget? How do you feel about the district's decision to stay within its tax levy limit or "cap"? I have Agree Disagree no opinion I did not know there was a tax levy limit 87.1% 77.8% 80.8% 80.0% 85.0% (498) (63) (84) (24) (669) 12.9% 22.2% 19.2% 20.0% 15.0% (74) (18) (20) (6) (118) answered question skipped question 5 How did you vote on the proposed school budget? In the future, would you be willing to support an increase in the tax levy that exceeds the district's tax levy limit in order to avoid further reductions to current programs and services? answered question Yes No 99.0% 45.2% 81.8% (417) (90) (507) 1.0% 54.8% 18.2% (4) (109) (113) skipped question 620 5

30 30 How did you vote on the proposed school budget? What were your best sources of information about the budget and school board candidates? (Check all that apply.) answered question District District District newsletter brochure website Board District Facebook/Twitter sites meetings and forums 88.7% 90.2% 90.8% 100.0% 90.8% 89.6% (448) (138) (157) (50) (89) (570) 11.3% 9.8% 9.2% 0.0% 9.2% 10.4% (57) (15) (16) (0) (9) (66) skipped question 5 How did you vote on the proposed school budget? What were your best sources of information about the budget and school board candidates? (Check all that apply.) Word of mouth answered question The Post Star The Look News Chronicle (Channel 8) 84.5% 70.9% 64.0% 58.8% 76.2% (120) (190) (73) (10) (304) 15.5% 29.1% 36.0% 41.2% 23.8% (22) (78) (41) (7) (95) skipped question 4

31 31 How did you vote on the proposed school budget? On average, how frequently do you visit: The district website Once a month or Once a less week 70.2% 85.5% 91.2% 96.7% 83.8% (167) (242) (155) (116) (680) 29.8% 14.5% 8.8% 3.3% 16.2% (71) (41) (15) (4) (131) Never answered question Daily skipped question 7 How did you vote on the proposed school budget? On average, how frequently do you visit: The district Facebook page and/or Twitter page Once a month or Once a less week 80.9% 90.1% 94.2% 92.5% 84.0% (419) (73) (65) (49) (606) 19.1% 9.9% 5.8% 7.5% 16.0% (99) (8) (4) (4) (115) Never answered question Daily skipped question 7

32 32 How did you vote on the proposed school budget? In general, how would you grade education in Queensbury? A B C D F 92.3% (477) 77.4% (181) 28.6% (6) 0.0% (0) 0.0% (0) 84.9% (664) 7.7% (40) 22.6% (53) 71.4% (15) 100.0% (5) 100.0% (5) 15.1% (118) answered question skipped question 7 How did you vote on the proposed school budget? What age group are you in? % (38) 94.5% (222) 87.9% (247) 70.5% (186) 84.2% (693) 11.6% (5) 5.5% (13) 12.1% (34) 29.5% (78) 15.8% (130) answered question skipped question 6

33 33 How did you vote on the proposed school budget? Are you a graduate of Queensbury? answered question Yes, I am a graduate No, I am not a graduate 85.4% 84.0% 84.3% (123) (569) (692) 14.6% 16.0% 15.7% (21) (108) (129) skipped question 7 How did you vote on the proposed school budget? Do you have children? Yes, I have children answered question No, I do not have children 84.9% 78.4% 84.0% (607) (87) (694) 15.1% 21.6% 16.0% (108) (24) (132) skipped question 8

34 34 How did you vote on the proposed school budget? If you have children, check all that apply. Attending preschool or too young for school Attending private school Attending Queensbury Elementary School Attending WHBI Attending Queensbury Middle School 97.0% (64) 100.0% (3) 92.1% (163) 91.6% (109) 95.4% (145) 93.5% (315) 3.0% (2) 0.0% (0) 7.9% (14) 8.4% (10) 4.6% (7) 6.5% (22) answered question skipped question 0 How did you vote on the proposed school budget? If you have children, check all that apply. Attending Queensbury High School Past high school age 87.8% (115) 78.9% (281) 80.3% (362) 12.2% (16) 21.1% (75) 19.7% (89) answered question skipped question 8

35 Cross-Tabulation: How respondents voted (yes/no) cross-tabulated with each question Of those who voted yes or no, what percentage fell into each voter category? 10 35

36 36 1. Voting time How did you vote on the proposed school budget? a.m. 5.7% (40) 9.6% (13) 6.4% (53) 11 a.m.-12 noon 8.0% (56) 14.8% (20) 9.1% (76) 12-1 p.m. 5.3% (37) 10.4% (14) 6.1% (51) 1-2 p.m. 7.6% (53) 5.2% (7) 7.2% (60) 2-3 p.m. 7.3% (51) 4.4% (6) 6.8% (57) 3-4 p.m. 9.0% (63) 7.4% (10) 8.8% (73) 4-5 p.m. 10.3% (72) 10.4% (14) 10.3% (86) 5-6 p.m. 8.7% (61) 10.4% (14) 9.0% (75) 6-7 p.m. 15.6% (109) 13.3% (18) 15.2% (127) 7-8:30 p.m. 22.3% (156) 14.1% (19) 21.0% (175) answered question skipped question 0

37 37 2. In your opinion, the budget reductions made to create the school budget proposal are: How did you vote on the proposed school budget? Appropriate 68.2% (446) 11.5% (14) 59.3% (460) Too much 28.4% (186) 14.8% (18) 26.3% (204) Too little 3.4% (22) 73.8% (90) 14.4% (112) answered question skipped question How do you feel about the district's decision to stay within its tax levy limit or "cap"? How did you vote on the proposed school budget? Agree 74.4% (498) 62.7% (74) 72.7% (572) Disagree 9.4% (63) 15.3% (18) 10.3% (81) I have no opinion 12.6% (84) 16.9% (20) 13.2% (104) I did not know there was a tax levy limit 3.6% (24) 5.1% (6) 3.8% (30) answered question skipped question 46

38 38 4. In the future, would you be willing to support an increase in the tax levy that exceeds the district's tax levy limit in order to avoid further reductions to current programs and services? How did you vote on the proposed school budget? Yes 82.2% (417) 3.5% (4) 67.9% (421) No 17.8% (90) 96.5% (109) 32.1% (199) answered question skipped question 213

39 39 5. What were your best sources of information about the budget and school board candidates? (Check all that apply.) How did you vote on the proposed school budget? District newsletter 67.5% (448) 46.3% (57) 64.2% (505) District brochure 20.8% (138) 12.2% (15) 19.4% (153) District website 23.6% (157) 13.0% (16) 22.0% (173) District Facebook/Twitter sites 7.5% (50) 0.0% (0) 6.4% (50) Board meetings and forums 13.4% (89) 7.3% (9) 12.5% (98) Word of mouth 18.1% (120) 17.9% (22) 18.0% (142) The Post Star 28.6% (190) 63.4% (78) 34.1% (268) The Chronicle 11.0% (73) 33.3% (41) 14.5% (114) Look News (Channel 8) 1.5% (10) 5.7% (7) 2.2% (17) answered question skipped question 46

40 40 6. On average, how frequently do you visit: How did you vote on the proposed school budget? The district website Never 24.6% (167) 54.2% (71) Once a month or less 35.6% (242) 31.3% (41) Once a week 22.8% (155) 11.5% (15) Daily 17.1% (116) 3.1% (4) The district Facebook page and/or Twitter page Never 69.1% (419) 86.1% (99) Once a month or less 12.0% (73) 7.0% (8) Once a week 10.7% (65) 3.5% (4) Daily 8.1% (49) 3.5% (4) answered question skipped question 15

41 41 7. In general, how would you grade education in Queensbury? How did you vote on the proposed school budget? A 71.8% (477) 33.9% (40) 66.1% (517) B 27.3% (181) 44.9% (53) 29.9% (234) C 0.9% (6) 12.7% (15) 2.7% (21) D 0.0% (0) 4.2% (5) 0.6% (5) F 0.0% (0) 4.2% (5) 0.6% (5) answered question skipped question 51

42 42 8. What age group are you in? How did you vote on the proposed school budget? % (38) 3.8% (5) 5.2% (43) % (222) 10.0% (13) 28.6% (235) % (247) 26.2% (34) 34.1% (281) % (186) 60.0% (78) 32.1% (264) answered question skipped question Are you a graduate of Queensbury? How did you vote on the proposed school budget? Yes, I am a graduate 17.8% (123) 16.3% (21) 17.5% (144) No, I am not a graduate 82.2% (569) 83.7% (108) 82.5% (677) answered question skipped question 12

43 Do you have children? How did you vote on the proposed school budget? Yes, I have children 87.5% (607) 81.8% (108) 86.6% (715) No, I do not have children 12.5% (87) 18.2% (24) 13.4% (111) answered question skipped question 7

44 If you have children, check all that apply. How did you vote on the proposed school budget? Attending pre-school or too young for school 10.7% (64) 1.9% (2) 9.4% (66) Attending private school 0.5% (3) 0.0% (0) 0.4% (3) Attending Queensbury Elementary School 27.3% (163) 13.6% (14) 25.2% (177) Attending WHBI 18.2% (109) 9.7% (10) 17.0% (119) Attending Queensbury Middle School 24.2% (145) 6.8% (7) 21.7% (152) Attending Queensbury High School 19.2% (115) 15.5% (16) 18.7% (131) Past high school age 47.0% (281) 72.8% (75) 50.8% (356) answered question skipped question 132