Key findings from a survey of 193 likely voters throughout the LaSalle-Peru High School District conducted June 4-8, 2016.

 Public Opinion Strategies is pleased to present the key findings of a statistically valid telephone survey throughout the LaSalle-Peru High School District.  The survey was completed June 4-8, 2016, among 193 likely voters. The overall sample has a margin of error of %. (Unable to get to 300 completed calls.)  Jim Hobart was the principal researchers, with assistance from Kyle Clark & Brian Fraser.

Residents reacted to a close simulation of the ballot language. Shall the Board of Education of LaSalle Peru Township High School District Number 120, LaSalle County, Illinois, improve the site of, renovate, alter, repair, equip and replace portions of the District's buildings, including, but not limited to, adding a science, technology, engineering and math wing, renovating and expanding classrooms, removing asbestos, adding fire sprinklers, constructing more secure entrances, increasing accessibility to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, addressing constructing energy efficiency improvements and financing other School District capital costs, and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $67,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

5 Voters in the district are opposed to the 67 million dollar proposal.

6 What are the one or two main reasons why you would vote YES / NO on this proposal? Initial $67 Million Bond Ballot Verbatims Tax and cost concerns drive the No vote.

7 Now, thinking a little more about some different aspects of the sixty ‐ seven million dollar measure, please tell me for each one, whether knowing that makes you more likely or less likely to vote Yes in support of this proposal or would it make little difference in your opinion? Knowing the exact cost makes votes less likely to support the proposal.

We then asked a small number of residents to react to a less costly bond measure ballot. Instead of a $67 million bond to renovate and expand the high school, another option being considered is a $38 million bond measure. This smaller bond measure would focus on repairs and renovations to the existing building, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades; asbestos abatement; fire protection upgrades; roofing and window replacement; and renovations to existing classrooms, science labs, library, cafeteria, kitchen and auditorium. The tax impact of the $38 million bond would be twelve dollars and thirty eight cents per month per one hundred thousand dollars of a home's actual value, or about one hundred and forty eight dollars per year. * N = 77

9 There is substantially more support for the 38 million dollar option.

10 Let me read you a few specific aspects of this new proposal, and for each one, please tell me if that would make you more...likely or less likely to support this proposal. Publicly disclosing spending and a citizen oversight committee are both winners with voters.

11 Would you say that the LaSalle ‐ Peru Township High School District is better than, about the same, or not as good as high schools in other parts of the state? +9% A clear majority of voters see LaSalle-Peru as better or about the same as schools in the rest of the state.

12 What if you were to grade the adequacy of the LaSalle ‐ Peru Township High School’s buildings and facilities, what grade would you give that campus ‐ A, B, C, D or F for fail, or do you not have enough information to judge? A plurality of voters do recognize that the High School’s buildings and facilities are not quite up to par.

In order to determine where residents’ priorities lie, we asked respondents the importance of funding 9 LaSalle-Peru High School items. I am going to read you some specific things which could be funded by the LaSalle ‐ Peru Township High School District if they had funding from a bond measure. Keeping in mind that it is difficult for everything to be equally important, please tell me how important each one of these is to you personally. Is it extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not very important to ensure funding is dedicated to that purpose?

15 Safety and security improvements and improve accessibility are most important to voters.

16 Corridor improvements and improvements to the auditorium are not seen as important.

We also tested some specific pieces of information that residents might hear if a funding measure were to move forward. I am going to read you some arguments that people have made IN FAVOR OF / AGAINST passing a bond measure in order to fund improvements for LaSalle-Peru Township High School District. After I read each one, please tell me whether the argument is very convincing, somewhat convincing, not too convincing or not at all convincing as a reason to INCREASE / NOT INCREASE funding...

19 The fifty-four years number really resonates with voters, as does the potential to reduce energy bills.

20 Comparing the district’s tax rate to its peers did not really pop with voters.

21 Voters are not convinced by messages focused on improving historic architecture or new breakout areas.

22 The new sports complex really sticks in the mind of voters, and makes them reluctant to back the 67 million dollar option.

23 Building a new school is a non-starter.

24 32% Strongly 16% Strongly Now I would like to read you a statement and, after I read it, please tell me if you agree or disagree with that statement. The district should focus on critical life safety and security issues, and related repairs and improvements, and not on building new classrooms, labs, and other academic spaces. +25% Voters agree that the focus should be on safety and security issues, rather than new classrooms.

25 21% Definitely 44% Definitely 20% Definitely 49% Definitely $67 Million Bond Ballot$38 Million Bond Ballot -21% 19% Definitely 27% Definitely 30% Definitely 25% Definitely +7%+24% There is no movement in favor of the 67 million dollar option, but a clear increase in support for the 38 million dollar proposal.

 Echoing the mail survey, there is no appetite for the 67 million dollar option among these voters.  However, there is a potential path to victory for the 38 million dollar option.