School District of Somerset Community Survey Results. Fall 2015

Transcription

1 School District of Somerset Community Survey Results Fall 2015

2 Survey Summary The community survey was conducted in November/December of 2015 Residents within the District were mailed a paper survey. Each survey included a unique survey access code for those who preferred to take the survey online. Total responses = 776/198 paper Total group response rate = 23% Margin of error for the full sample +/- 3.6%

3 Respondent Information

4 What is your age? 40% 38% 35% 30% 25% 24% 20% 17% 15% 10% 10% 10% 5% 0% 1%

5 Is your primary residence in the School District of Somerset? 11% 89% Yes No

6 Are you an employee of the School District of Somerset? 20% 80% Yes No

7 Do you have child(ren) attending school in the District? 37% 63% Yes No

8 If you have school-aged children, what 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 50% school(s) do they attend? 43% 41% 3% 3% 1% 1%

9 In which city or township do you reside? 40% 39% 35% 30% 28% 25% 20% 15% 13% 10% 9% 9% 5% 2% 0% Town of Somerset Village of Somerset Town of Star Prairie Other Town of St. Joseph Town of Richmond

10 Please mark ALL other relationships you have with the School District of Somerset: 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 83% 28% 24% 19% 18% 13%

11 How many District-sponsored events (athletics, performances, etc.) have you attended in the past year? (Does not include staff) 60% 51% 50% 41% 40% 36% 30% 27% Parents Non-Parents 20% 10% 7% 16% 11% 11% 0% More than 10

12 Overall, how do you feel the quality of the School District of Somerset is affecting your home value? 50% 45% 45% 40% 37% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 9% 9% 5% 0% Positive impact Little to no impact Negative impact Do not own a home

13 How would you like to receive school/district information? (Does not include staff) s/E-newsletter 27% 82% District mailings/newsletter 64% 81% Teacher/School/District websites 19% 50% Text Messaging 6% 41% Automated phone notification 5% 35% Facebook 10% 34% New Richmond News Parent organizations Community Meetings 3% 14% 14% 13% 24% 40% Non-Parents Parents School board meetings 13% 13% Twitter 2% 2% Other 0% 2% Radio 2% 2% YouTube 2% 1% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

14 The Somerset Difference

15 How well are we doing in each of the following areas? Great (4), Good (3), Fair (2), Poor (1) Item Staff Parents Providing a safe and secure learning environment Non-Parents, Non-Staff Providing a welcoming environment Building pride in our community Preparing students for life after high school Delivering a high-quality educational experience Keeping the public informed Providing opportunities for community input Spending tax dollars wisely

16 Overall, how satisfied are you with the School District of Somerset? (All Respondents) 60% 55% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 20% 13% 4% 8% 0% Very Satisfied Satisfied Not Satisfied Very Unsatisfied No Opinion

17 Programs/Services

18 Item If funding cuts are needed, how should the District budget? Expand (3), Keep (2), Reduce (1) All Residents Staff Residents Parent Residents Non-Parent, Non-Staff Residents Core Classes Technology Education Information & Technology Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Business Education High School "school-to-work" Advanced Placement College in the Schools Guidance Services Special Education Programming Programming for gifted/talented students

19 Item If funding cuts are needed, how should the District budget? (Continued) Expand (3), Keep (2), Reduce (1) All Residents Staff Residents Parent Residents Non-Parent, Non-Staff Residents Alternative Education Program Physical Education Music Education Character Education Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) Art Health Education English Language Learners Programming Virtual Education Classes Athletics and extracurricular Family & Consumer Science

20 Cost-Saving Options

21 Athletic/Activity Fees: The middle school athletic fees are $50 and activity fees are $20. The high school athletic fee is $65. Activity fees range from $20 or $40 per activity, with $195 individual and $390 family maximums. Athletic and activity fees currently generate $48,000 annually. Should the District raise student activity fees to save money? 70% 60% 62% 64% 59% 59% All Residents 50% 40% 30% 35% 28% 29% 26% Staff Residents Parent Residents (Non-Staff) 20% 10% 12% 10% 10% 6% Non-Parent, Non-Staff Residents 0% Yes No Not sure

22 Course Offerings: A variety of elective courses are offered at the middle and high school level. Would you support decreasing elective course offerings at the middle/high school levels to save money? 60% 55% 52% 50% 45% 47% All Residents 40% 30% 20% 36% 31% 32% 34% 21% 17% 16% 14% Staff Residents Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Non-Parent, Non-Staff Residents 10% 0% Yes No Not sure

23 Transportation: The District could reduce/eliminate bus routes, increasing ride time for some riders and eliminating busing services for others to save money. Should the District reduce busing services to save money? 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 58% 51% 46% 42% 43% 41% 36% 31% 15% 13% 13% 11% All Residents Staff Residents Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Non-Parent, Non-Staff Residents 0% Yes No Not sure

24 Police School Liaison Officer: The District employs a Police School Liaison Officer (PSLO) to help with school safety and security during the school year. Should the District reduce the Police School Liaison Officer position to save money? 60% 60% 59% 53% 55% 50% All Residents 40% 30% 34% 31% 28% 28% Staff Residents Parent Residents (Non-Staff) 20% 13% 12% 13% 14% Non-Parent, Non-Staff Residents 10% 0% Yes No Not sure

25 Middle School Athletics/Activities: The District currently offers middle school athletics and extracurriculars. Should the District eliminate athletics and extra-curriculars at the middle school level to save money? 90% 80% 70% 60% 81% 72% 68% 59% All Residents Staff Residents 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 25% 26% 18% 12% 10% 7% 7% 15% Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Non-Parent, Non-Staff Residents 0% Yes No Not sure

26 Middle/High School Class Size: Class sizes currently average 22 to 32 students. Should the District continue to increase middle/high school class sizes to save money? 90% 80% 70% 60% 86% 83% 76% 57% All Residents Staff Residents 50% 40% 32% Parent Residents (Non-Staff) 30% 20% 10% 18% 13% 10% 6% 4% 4% 11% Non-Parent, Non-Staff Residents 0% Yes No Not sure

27 Elementary Class Size: Class sizes currently average 18 to 24 students. Should the District continue to increase elementary class sizes to save money? 90% 80% 70% 60% 85% 82% 76% 59% All Residents Staff Residents 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 31% 18% 13% 9% 6% 6% 10% 5% Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Non-Parent, Non-Staff Residents 0% Yes No Not sure

28 Cost-Saving Options Yes (10), No (1) All Residents Item Average Should the District raise student activity fees to save money? 7.16 Would you support decreasing elective course offerings at the middle/high school levels to save money? 4.85 Should the District reduce busing services to save money? 4.72 Should the District reduce the Police School Liaison Officer position to save money? Should the District eliminate athletics and extra-curriculars at the middle school level to save money? Should the District continue to increase middle/high school class sizes to save money? Should the District continue to increase elementary class sizes to save money?

29 Would you help the District maintain current programs and services by supporting a $750,000 referendum? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $87 for each $100,000 of property value for the next five years. All Residents Definitely yes 29% 53% Yes Probably yes 24% Undecided 21% Probably no Definitely no 10% 16% 26% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

30 Would you help the District maintain current programs and services by supporting a $750,000 referendum? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $87 for each $100,000 of property value for the next five years. Staff Residents Definitely yes Probably yes 22% 38% 60% Yes Undecided 23% Probably no Definitely no 7% 10% 17% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

31 Would you help the District maintain current programs and services by supporting a $750,000 referendum? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $87 for each $100,000 of property value for the next five years. Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Definitely yes 33% Probably yes 26% 59% Yes Undecided 23% Probably no Definitely no 6% 12% 18% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

32 Would you help the District maintain current programs and services by supporting a $750,000 referendum? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $87 for each $100,000 of property value for the next five years. Non-Parent, Non-Staff Residents Definitely yes 14% 36% Yes Probably yes 22% Undecided 19% Probably no Definitely no 15% 30% 45% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

33 Additional Analysis for Support to maintain current programs and services Percent of Resident Population Assumptions: - Non-parent/non-staff = 75% - Parents = 25% - Staff < 1% Of those responding either Definitely yes, or Probably yes:.75(36%) +.25(59%) = 42% support Assuming carrying 1/3 of undecided.75(42%) +.25(66%) = 48% support

34 Additional Staffing

35 Would you help the District maintain current programs and services AND expand staffing by supporting a $1.8 million referendum? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $209 for each $100,000 of property value for the next five years. All Residents Definitely yes 14% Probably yes 14% 28% Yes Undecided 29% Probably no Definitely no 19% 24% 43% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

36 Would you help the District maintain current programs and services AND expand staffing by supporting a $1.8 million referendum? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $209 for each $100,000 of property value for the next five years. Staff Residents Definitely yes 22% Probably yes 16% 38% Yes Undecided 32% Probably no Definitely no 15% 15% 30% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

37 Would you help the District maintain current programs and services AND expand staffing by supporting a $1.8 million referendum? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $209 for each $100,000 of property value for the next five years. Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Definitely yes 16% Probably yes 16% 32% Yes Undecided 31% Probably no Definitely no 17% 20% 37% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

38 Would you help the District maintain current programs and services AND expand staffing by supporting a $1.8 million referendum? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $209 for each $100,000 of property value for the next five years. Non-Parent, Non-Staff Residents Definitely yes 7% Probably yes 9% 16% Yes Undecided 22% Probably no Definitely no 20% 42% 62% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

39 Technology

40 What pace do you believe the District should go to integrate technology into the 60% 50% classroom learning experience? 59% 53% 52% 51% All Residents 40% Staff Residents 30% 20% 10% 25% 18% 31% 16% 13% 9% 10% 6% 18% 14% 13% 12% Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Non-Parent, Non- Staff Residents 0% Move faster Maintain current pace Move slower Undecided

41 Would you help the District update classroom technology and replace aging computers by supporting a $560,000 referendum? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $13 for each $100,000 of property value for the next five years. All Residents Definitely yes 25% Probably yes 31% 56% Yes Undecided 19% Probably no Definitely no 12% 13% 25% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

42 Would you help the District update classroom technology and replace aging computers by supporting a $560,000 referendum? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $13 for each $100,000 of property value for the next five years. Staff Residents Definitely yes 29% Probably yes 26% 55% Yes Undecided 19% Probably no Definitely no 8% 18% 26% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

43 Would you help the District update classroom technology and replace aging computers by supporting a $560,000 referendum? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $13 for each $100,000 of property value for the next five years. Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Definitely yes 30% Probably yes 33% 63% Yes Undecided 19% Probably no Definitely no 8% 10% 18% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

44 Would you help the District update classroom technology and replace aging computers by supporting a $560,000 referendum? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $13 for each $100,000 of property value for the next five years. Non-Parent, Non-Staff Residents Definitely yes 13% Probably yes 29% 42% Yes Undecided 20% Probably no Definitely no 14% 24% 38% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

45 Additional Analysis for Support to integrate technology into the classroom learning experience Percent of Resident Population Assumptions: - Non-parent/non-staff = 75% - Parents = 25% - Staff < 1% Of those responding either Definitely yes, or Probably yes:.75(42%) +.25(63%) = 47% support Assuming carrying 1/3 of undecided.75(49%) +.25(69%) = 54% support

46 Facility Maintenance

47 Would you help the District address maintenance and security needs by supporting a $388,000 referendum? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $9 for each $100,000 of property value for the next five years. All Residents Definitely yes Probably yes 25% 32% 57% Yes Undecided 22% Probably no Definitely no 10% 11% 21% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

48 Would you help the District address maintenance and security needs by supporting a $388,000 referendum? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $9 for each $100,000 of property value for the next five years. Staff Residents Definitely yes Probably yes 24% 32% 56% Yes Undecided 28% Probably no Definitely no 5% 11% 16% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

49 Would you help the District address maintenance and security needs by supporting a $388,000 referendum? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $9 for each $100,000 of property value for the next five years. Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Definitely yes Probably yes 31% 32% 63% Yes Undecided 23% Probably no Definitely no 6% 8% 14% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

50 Would you help the District address maintenance and security needs by supporting a $388,000 referendum? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $9 for each $100,000 of property value for the next five years. Non-Parent, Non-Staff Residents Definitely yes 14% 47% Yes Probably yes 33% Undecided 18% Probably no Definitely no 13% 22% 35% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

51 Additional Analysis for Support to address maintenance and security needs Percent of Resident Population Assumptions: - Non-parent/non-staff = 75% - Parents = 25% - Staff < 1% Of those responding either Definitely yes, or Probably yes:.75(47%) +.25(63%) = 51% support Assuming carrying 1/3 of undecided.75(53%) +.25(71%) = 57.5% support

52 Facility Improvements

53 How important are the following items as the Item District considers a potential referendum? Very important (3), Somewhat important (2), Not important (1) Update science classrooms to include a fume hood and lab equipment for higher level chemistry and physics classes (est. cost: $50,000) Add a road on the campus to improve traffic congestion and site safety. This road would be designed to support future building. (est. cost $230,000) All Residents Staff Residents Parent (Non-Staff) Residents Non-Parent, Non-Staff Residents Resurface the track (est. cost: $125,000) Replace high school gym bleachers and acoustics (est. cost $100,000) Add lights to the soccer field (est. cost $120,000) Add digital display sign to campus (est. cost $25,000)

54 Auditorium

55 Would you support a referendum that provides $7 million to build an auditorium at the high school? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $60 for each $100,000 of property value. This project would be financed by issuing a 20-year bond. All Residents Definitely yes 13% Probably yes 16% 29% Yes Undecided 25% Probably no Definitely no 20% 26% 46% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

56 Would you support a referendum that provides $7 million to build an auditorium at the high school? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $60 for each $100,000 of property value. This project would be financed by issuing a 20-year bond. Staff Residents Definitely yes 21% Probably yes 14% 35% Yes Undecided 28% Probably no Definitely no 18% 19% 37% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

57 Would you support a referendum that provides $7 million to build an auditorium at the high school? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $60 for each $100,000 of property value. This project would be financed by issuing a 20-year bond. Parent Residents Definitely yes 14% 33% Yes Probably yes 19% Undecided 27% Probably no Definitely no 20% 20% 40% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

58 Would you support a referendum that provides $7 million to build an auditorium at the high school? Representing an estimated annual tax increase of approximately $60 for each $100,000 of property value. This project would be financed by issuing a 20-year bond. Non-Parent, Non-Staff Residents Definitely yes 6% 16% Yes Probably yes 10% Undecided 22% Probably no Definitely no 22% 40% 62% No 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

59 Summary of Report

60 2015 Community Feedback Report Response Rate: Reliable for Decision-Making Communication: , Newsletters, Website Respondents: 75% Satisfied with District Main Question and Need Current Programs and Staff: 48% at $750K/5yrs; $87/$100,000 Consider lowering amount and marketing need

61 2015 Community Feedback Report Support Classroom Technology and Aging Computers: 54% at $560K/5yrs; $13/$100,000 Maintenance and Security: 57.5% at $388K/5Yrs: $9/$100,000 Science Hoods and Lab Equipment Road Congestion and Safety

62 2015 Community Feedback Report Low or No Support Expanded Staffing Soccer Field Lights Resurface Track HS Gym Bleachers Auditorium

63 Thank you!