FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

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1 SURVEY RESULTS PRESENTATION MAY 17, 2016 Prepared by: Dale Scott & Company 650 California Street, 8 th Floor San Francisco, CA

2 SURVEY METHODOLOGY Survey conducted on 5/3 5/7/16 12 minute telephone survey 29 questions Likely November 2016 voters Sample Size: 300 Margin of Error (+/- 5.7%) 2

3 CHILDREN/GRANDCHILDREN IN DISTRICT Do you have or have you ever had any children or grandchildren who are now attending or attended school in the Fillmore Unified School District? 14% YES, children currently attending - 14% 44% 10% YES, grandchildren currently attending - 10% YES, children attended in the past - 27% 5% 27% YES, grandchildren attended in the past - 5% NO - 44% 3

4 QUALITY OF EDUCATION As you may be aware, the Fillmore Unified School District is responsible for the elementary, middle and high schools in your community. Either from what you know or what you ve heard, how would you rate the quality of the education provided by the Fillmore Unified School District compared to the quality of education in the surrounding communities? Would you rate the quality as excellent, good, fair, poor, or very poor? 8% 16% EXCELLENT - 8% 5% 15% 28% GOOD - 28% FAIR - 28% POOR - 15% VERY POOR - 5% 28% DON T KNOW - 16% 4

5 FACILITIES MASTER PLAN Earlier this year, the Fillmore Unified School District completed a long-range facilities master plan to assess the status of its facilities and prioritize potential renovations and improvements. Which one of the following statements best describes your knowledge of the plan? 4% 8% I am familiar with the plan and its contents - 8% 21% I knew the plan was completed, but I don't know any of the details - 21% 67% I was unaware the District completed this plan - 67% DON T KNOW/NOT SURE - 4% 5

6 VOTER SUPPORT The Fillmore Unified School District is considering placing a school improvement general obligation bond measure on an upcoming ballot. PROPOSED BALLOT LANGUAGE: To renovate, construct and acquire classrooms and school facilities; improve campus and classroom security; upgrade agricultural, career technical, and physical education facilities; replace aging infrastructure, heating and air conditioning systems; and upgrade fire alarms and emergency communications systems; shall the Fillmore Unified School District be authorized to issue $35 million of bonds within legal interest rates, with independent citizens oversight ensuring no money is used for administrative salaries and all funds are spent on local schools? 26% WOULD YOU VOTE YES OR NO ON THIS MEASURE? 12% 62% YES - 62% NO - 26% UNDECIDED - 12% 6

7 PRIORITIES Would you be more or less likely to vote for the bond if you knew the funds would be spent to? PRIORITIES repair leaky roofs throughout the District improve vocational education facilities* improve career technical education facilities* replace outdated heating and air-conditioning systems upgrade wiring and electrical infrastructure to support modern technology at all schools *split sample question MORE LIKELY LESS LIKLEY NO DIFFERENCE/UNSURE 7

8 PRIORITIES Would you be more or less likely to vote for the bond if you knew the funds would be spent to? PRIORITIES upgrade fire alarms/emergency communication systems upgrade and repair bathrooms and plumbing upgrade science labs modernize aging classrooms and school facilities upgrade campus safety district wide with improved fencing, door locks, cameras, and secure entries MORE LIKELY LESS LIKLEY NO DIFFERENCE/UNSURE 8

9 PRIORITIES Would you be more or less likely to vote for the bond if you knew the funds would be spent to? PRIORITIES improve visual and performing arts facilities upgrade Fillmore School Farm improve physical education facilities renovate or construct cafeteria and multi-purpose rooms reconstruct baseball and softball field and facilities construct a new gymnasium at Fillmore High School MORE LIKELY LESS LIKLEY NO DIFFERENCE/UNSURE 9

10 GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS Passing this measure will bring outdated schools up to code by repairing and replacing deteriorating restrooms, leaky roofs, plumbing systems and electrical wiring, and removing asbestos so children can learn in safe and healthy classrooms. Would knowing this make you more likely or less likely to vote for the bond measure? 12% MORE LIKELY - 79% 9% LESS LIKELY - 9% 79% MAKES NO DIFFERENCE - 12% 10

11 MATCHING STATE FUNDS Passing the bond will allow Fillmore Unified School District to qualify for state matching funds for many projects. Without the bond, our schools will lose this funding and it will be taken by other districts. Would knowing this make you more likely or less likely to vote for the bond measure? 13% MORE LIKELY - 78% 9% LESS LIKELY - 9% 78% MAKES NO DIFFERENCE - 13% 11

12 ATHLETIC FACILITIES The condition of the athletic facilities and locker rooms at our schools is so poor, it is disrespectful to our students. Passing the bond measure will provide equitable facilities for all of our children. Would knowing this make you more likely or less likely to vote for the bond measure? 20% MORE LIKELY - 61% LESS LIKELY - 19% 19% 61% MAKES NO DIFFERENCE - 20% 12

13 NON-EDUCATION It is outrageous that the school district would have the nerve to ask local residents to pay thirty-five million dollars to support this ill-conceived proposal filled with gymnasiums, auditoriums and other projects that will do little for education. Would knowing this make you more likely or less likely to vote for the bond measure? 26% 32% MORE LIKELY - 32% LESS LIKELY - 42% 42% MAKES NO DIFFERENCE - 26% 13

14 AFFORDABILITY The District s facility master plan cites over one hundred seventy million dollars of projects and this bond will only fund thirty-five million dollars of projects. This is just the first of many new taxes that will be proposed by the District. We cannot afford this plan. Would knowing this make you more likely or less likely to vote for the bond measure? 29% 24% MORE LIKELY - 24% LESS LIKELY - 47% 47% MAKES NO DIFFERENCE - 29% 14

15 COST TO PROPERTY OWNERS The bond would annually cost District property owners $60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation per year in property taxes. Would knowing this make you more likely or less likely to vote for the bond measure? 15% MORE LIKELY - 37% 37% LESS LIKELY - 48% 48% MAKES NO DIFFERENCE - 15% 15

16 TAX RATE EXTENSION The bond would not increase property taxes, but would continue the tax rate currently charged for school facilities. Would knowing this make you more likely or less likely to vote for the bond measure? 14% MORE LIKELY - 67% 19% LESS LIKELY - 19% 67% MAKES NO DIFFERENCE - 14% 16

17 SUPPORT OR OPPOSE BOND Now that you have heard a lot more information regarding a proposed $35 million Fillmore Unified School District school improvement bond measure, if the election were held today, would you vote yes to approve or no to reject the measure? 6% YES - 64% 30% NO - 30% 64% UNDECIDED - 6% 17

18 INFORMATION SOURCES How do you receive information about the Fillmore Unified School District? Friends or Family Members Unsure Fillmore Gazette 37 School District Employees 22 Ventura County Star Internet News Fillmore USD Website Public Meetings 2 Local Radio News 18

19 CONCLUSION 60+% Support is Encouraging High priority projects include: core school infrastructure improvement, vocational education/cte, and safety upgrades. Ability to leverage State funds strongly received. Parents are strong supporters but small percentage of voters. Support across party lines. Support is undermined by potential arguments against; however, support increases from 62% to 64% after all information. 19