Survey Basics This survey involved 300 completed telephone interviews with registered voters in the Prescott School District. All interviews were completed between December 14 and December 19, The overall margin of error for the results of this survey is +/- 5.5%.

Only renewal “The Prescott School District depends on a voter approved levy cap override for a portion of its funding. The local funds raised by the levy override are used to maintain class sizes and support classroom computers, technology, extracurricular activities and a number of classroom programs. The levy will expire during the school year that begins next fall. Therefore the district will ask voters to approve a renewal of the levy cap override next spring. Would you favor or oppose such a proposal?”

Renew

Renew and increase “The Prescott School District may also ask voters to increase the amount raised by the levy cap override because state funding has not kept up with the cost of operating the district’s schools. Doing so would increase local property taxes in order to raise the local funds needed to maintain class sizes and classroom programs. Would you favor or oppose such a proposal?”

Renew and increase

Presenting information “I am going to read some statements about the proposal to renew and increase the levy cap override the district is considering. Please tell me whether the information in each statement would make you more likely or less likely to vote for such a proposal.”

The impact of information “Now that you have heard some information about the levy cap override the district is considering, I want to see if this information has changed your opinion. Would you favor or oppose a proposal that would increase local property taxes in order to raise the local funds needed to maintain class sizes and classroom programs? ”

Renew and increase: Informed

Testing costs “I am now going to ask you three questions about the cost of the levy cap override the district is considering. Each question presents you with an annual cost. These costs will be read to you in a random order. For each, tell me if knowing the cost of the levy cap override the district is considering would make you favor or oppose such a proposal. “Property taxes would be increased by $35 for a home with an assessed value of $100,000.”

Levy costs

Levy term “There are two ways the district can structure the levy cap override. The levy can be structured so that it raises local funds for a limited number of years and then sunsets. The district could also structure the levy so that it became a permanent part of the district’s funding base. Which structure would you prefer? 1) A levy that raises funds for a limited number of years or 2) A levy that becomes a permanent part of the district’s funding base.”

A referendum “As enrollment in the district continues to increase, the Prescott School District also faces a need to create addition classroom space. To raise the funds needed to build additional classrooms, the district will ask voters to approve a school referendum. Would you favor or oppose such a proposal?”

A referendum

Presenting information “I am going to read some statements about the school referendum the district is considering. Please tell me whether the information in each statement would make you more likely or less likely to vote for such a proposal.”

The impact of information “Now that you have heard some information about the school referendum the district is considering, I want to see if this information has changed your opinion. Would you favor or oppose a school referendum that would raise the local funds needed to build additional classrooms? ”

A referendum: Informed

Testing costs “I am now going to ask you three questions about the cost of the school referendum the district is considering. Each question presents you with an annual cost. These costs will be read to you in a random order. For each, tell me if knowing the cost of the school bond referendum the district is considering would make you favor or oppose such a proposal. “Property taxes would be increased by $100 for a home with an assessed value of $100,000.”

Referendum costs

Levy costs

Building preference “As it plans to increase its instructional space in order to serve a growing student population, the Prescott District has four basic options to consider. I am going to read you a brief description of each. Although the cost of each option is different, please tell me which option you believe it would be in the best interest of the community for the district to pursue: 1) Build a new high school; 2) Build a new middle school on the high school site; 3) Build a new Intermediate School for the district’s 4th and 5th grade students; or 4) Significantly expand the elementary school and make small additions to the middle school and high school.

Both on the same ballot “Assume that the district places two proposals on the ballot. One would renew and increase the district’s levy cap override. The other, a school referendum, would raise the local funds needed to build the classrooms needed to keep up with growing enrollment in the district. Which of the following best describes how you would vote: 1) I would vote for both 2) I would only vote to renew the levy cap override 3) I would only vote to renew and increase the levy cap override 4) I would only vote for the school referendum 5) I would vote against both.

28 Gender

29 Age

30 Parent status

31 Area

32 Income

33 Length of residence

34 Education

35 Registration date

36 Voter Activity

“Students are often given the grades of A, B, C, D, and F to denote the quality of their work. Suppose the public schools in your community were graded in the same way. What grade would you give the schools in the Prescott School District?” Grade the district

“Students are often given the grades of A, B, C, D, and F to denote the quality of their work. Suppose the public schools in your community were graded in the same way. What grade would you give the schools in the Prescott School District?” Grade the district: Compared to national

“How about the public schools in the state of Wisconsin in general? What grade would you give to Wisconsin's public schools?” Grade state schools

“What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the public schools of your community this year?” Greatest challenge

Please tell me whether you strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement: “The Prescott School District can be trusted to properly manage additional local tax revenue.” Trust

Please tell me whether you strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement: “I would never vote for a tax increase no matter what the money would be used for.” Never

“From which of the following do you receive most of your information about the Prescott School District:” Source of information

Conclusions and recommendations There is a solid base of support for renewal of the district’s levy cap override. – 68.7% said they would favor renewal of the levy. Proposing that the levy be increased drops support to 43.3% but information about the need to renew and increase the levy brings support up to 54.7%. – The strongest positive reaction came when voters were told that a failure to renew and increase the levy could result in the elimination of 15 teaching positions. The cost of the levy should be set at or below a cost of $87 per $100,000 of assessed value. – Two thirds of those interviewed also would prefer the levy be structured so that it existed for a limited number of years. There is a good base of support for a school referendum that would raise the local funds needed to build additional classrooms. – Information has no significant impact on the level of support for a referendum. Before information is presented, 57.3% said they would favor a referendum. After information is presented, support remains constant at 57.7%.

Conclusions and recommendations The strongest positive reaction came when voters were told that current low interest rates would make it less expensive to build new classrooms. – This information made 71% more likely to vote for a referendum. Tax tolerance for a referendum is slightly higher than for a levy. – The cost of a referendum should be set at or below $100 per $100,000 of assessed value. Voters do not provide clear direction when asked which building option they prefer. – 35.7% would like to see the district significantly expand the elementary school and make small additions to the middle and high schools. – 29% would like to see the district build a new high school. Placing a levy and a referendum on the ballot together offers no advantage for either proposal. – Only 36.3% said they would vote for both proposals. Just over 14% said they would only vote to renew or only vote for a referendum. Both proposals receive just over 50% support – resulting in a narrow win or narrow loss. The perception of the district is good with 67% giving the district’s schools an A or a B.

Conclusions and recommendations The perception of the district is good with 67% giving the district’s schools an A or a B.

Who was interviewed: Gender

Who was interviewed: Age

Who was interviewed: Parent Control

Who was interviewed: Voting Activity