Gillett School District Community Survey Results Spring 2018
Survey Summary The survey was conducted in April of 2018. 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 = 396 (175 paper) Participation rate = 21%
Respondent Information
What is your age? 25% 23% 25% 25% 20% 15% 13% 13% 10% 5% 1% 0% 18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-64 65 and older
In which municipality do you reside? 35% 30% 30% 25% 22% 20% 18% 15% 10% 5% 11% 8% 5% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0%
Is your primary residence in the Gillett School District? 13% 1% 86% Yes No Don't know
Are you an employee of the Gillett School District? 23% 77% Yes (n=92) No (n=351)
Do you currently have children attending the Gillett School District? 35% 65% Yes (n=138) No (n=258)
If you have school-aged children, what school(s) do they attend? 60% 50% 50% 40% 35% 35% 30% 20% 10% 0% 11% 5% 3% 2% 1%
Please mark ALL other relationships you have with the Gillett School District: 60% 50% 43% 40% 30% 29% 24% 20% 18% 12% 10% 0% Graduate of Gillett School District Parent/guardian of Gillett School District graduate(s) Grandparent/relative of Gillett School District student(s) Volunteer in the Gillett School District Parent/guardian of child(ren) younger than elementary school age
Overall, what impact do you believe the quality of the Gillett School District has on your home value? (All Respondents) 60% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 20% 14% 10% 0% Positive impact Little to no impact Negative impact Do not own a home in the District 6%
Student Preparation
How well are we doing in each of the following Item areas? Great (4), Good (3), Fair (2), Poor (1) Staff Parents Non-Parents Maintaining school facilities 3.14 3.15 3.08 Providing a safe and welcoming learning environment 3.43 3.28 2.98 Building pride in our community 3.20 3.14 2.92 Delivering a high-quality educational experience 3.43 3.20 2.88 Hiring and retaining high-quality faculty and staff 3.21 2.98 2.80 Providing career and college preparation 3.21 3.03 2.76 Developing student character 3.14 2.99 2.75 Preparing students for life after high school 3.15 2.98 2.71 Keeping the public informed 3.08 2.86 2.64 Spending tax dollars wisely 3.27 2.77 2.51
Overall, how satisfied are you with the Gillett School District? (All Respondents) 75% 60% 50% 45% 30% 29% 15% 8% 3% 10% 0% Very satisfied Satisfied Not satisfied Very unsatisfied No opinion
District Communications
How would you prefer to receive information Email Phone notifications District newsletter: Tiger Times Text messaging Parent/Teacher conferences Facebook District/school website Infinite Campus Open house Electronic newsletters Times Herald Teacher websites School Board agendas and minutes Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) meetings Oconto County Reporter Attending School Board meetings YouTube Radio Other Twitter Blogs from the District? 10% 21% 4% 5% 18% 21% 1% 23% 12% 19% 5% 18% 18% 1% 15% 12% 13% 2% 8% 7% 18% 4% 5% 1% 2% 2% 9% 1% 2% 0% 1% 0% 1% 55% 50% 45% 42% 37% 36% 55% 71% 82% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Non-Parents Parents
Overall, how would you rate the District s communication over the last year? 100% 80% 60% 40% 49% 32% 36% 35% Parents Non-Parents 20% 11% 13% 4% 20% 0% Effective Somewhat effective Not effective No opinion
How effective is the District's website in providing timely and meaningful information? 100% 80% 60% 60% Parents 40% 33% 34% Non-Parents 20% 16% 17% 17% 16% 7% 0% Effective Somewhat effective Not effective No opinion
How often do you visit the District s website? 100% 80% 60% 60% Parents 40% 32% 24% 28% 20% 17% 12% 9% 14% 4% 0% 0% One or two times a yearmonthly Weekly Daily Never Non-Parents
Why do you visit the District's website? Search for upcoming events/view calendar 76% 80% To view sports/co-curricular schedules 33% 46% Access staff contact information Access Infinite Campus parent portal/check grades 3% 22% 45% 41% Non-Parents To view lunch menu Review School Board agendas/minutes 5% 30% 19% 23% Parents Check lunch account balance 0% 23% Other 10% 10% To view District policies, bylaws and guidelines 6% 5% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Do you follow the Gillett School District on any of the following forms of social media? 100% 80% 58% Parents 60% 40% 28% Non-Parents 20% 0% Facebook
Financial Background
Declining Tax Mill Rate The Gillett School District has worked hard to control costs while still providing high-quality programs and services for our students. Since 2014, the District s tax levy, which is used to calculate property taxes, has decreased by 34%. Low Tax Mill Rate The graph below compares the 2018 tax mill rates with those of neighboring school districts. The Gillett School District is one of the lowest in the area and 21% lower than the state average.
In August of 2016, a referendum to support school district operations failed to win voter approval. Since that time, in an effort to maintain programs and services for students, the District: Utilized funding from the District s fund balance, which reduced the fund balance from 41% to 22% of annual expenditures Reduced building and program budgets Reduced staffing levels and cut costs by sharing staff with neighboring school districts Changed insurance providers and coverage for employees Reduced busing and other transportation costs Delayed the replacement of District vehicles and maintenance projects including roof and parking lot replacement Increased energy efficiencies/reduced utility costs Secured new grants and federal funding sources for staffing and educational programs Even with these reductions, a budget shortfall of $600,000 is projected for each of the next 3 years. We are concerned what additional cuts will mean to educating our students, retaining high-quality staff and our ability to maintain our facilities. Under current state law, a referendum is required for the District to increase revenue to fund school operations.
What advice would you give the District? (Residents Only) 100% 89% 80% 60% 40% 55% 59% 45% 37% 27% 28% 28% 20% 17% 4% 4% 7% 0% Hold an operating referendum to maintain programs/services Make further cuts to programs and services to balance the budget Not sure/need more information All Residents Staff Parents Non-Parents
Budget Reduction Options
Item If an operational referendum fails, consider which of the following the District should address to save money: Yes (10), No (1) Should the District change to an every other day 4- year-old kindergarten program to save money? Should the District increase class sizes or create multigrade classes to save money? All Residents Staff Residents Parent Residents Non-Parent Residents 6.55 5.02 6.00 7.24 4.64 1.87 3.70 5.89 Should the District increase the athletic/activity fees? 5.54 4.69 5.60 5.73 Should the District reduce busing services to save money? Should the District postpone curriculum updates to save money? Should the District reduce the number of athletic/activity offerings? Should the District delay implementing the technology plan to save money? Should the District decrease course offerings to save money? 4.37 4.55 3.22 4.96 4.15 4.50 3.09 4.65 3.52 2.25 2.70 4.39 3.94 3.07 3.57 4.36 1.98 1.21 1.37 2.54
Funding to Support Operations
The following options have been developed for community feedback: OPTION 1: Hold a $600,000 operating referendum, allowing the District to maintain current programs/services for each of the next 3 years. OPTION 2: Hold a $750,000 operating referendum, allowing the District to maintain all current programs/services AND address critical safety/security and maintenance needs for each of the next 3 years. The District has identified updates that would improve the safety and security of our school including creating more secure building entrances, increasing the number of security cameras and updating the school s emergency communication/ public address system. Additionally, critical building maintenance, including replacing roof sections and windows, as well as vehicle replacement has been postponed due to limited funds. OPTION 3: Do not hold an operating referendum. Make significant cuts to programs and services. The following table shows tax impact for the two referendum amounts.
Which option would you support? (Residents Only) 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 49% 73% 64% 35% OPTION 2: Hold a $750,000 operating referendum, allowing the District to maintain all current programs/services AND address critical safety/security and maintenance needs for each of the next 3 years. 17% 20% 16% 17% 19% OPTION 1: Hold a $600,000 operating referendum, allowing the District to maintain current programs/services for each of the next 3 years. 2% 6% 31% OPTION 3: Do not hold any operating referendum. Make significant cuts to programs and services. 15% 14% 17% 5% I'm not sure/need more information All Residents Staff Parents Non-Parents
Thank you!