Mequon-Thiensville School District Referendum Survey

 Mequon-Thiensville School District
Referendum Survey
December 2014 544 East Ogden Avenue, #700-­‐120, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Phone: 414-­‐409-­‐7225 After-­‐hours and emergency contact: 414-­‐418-­‐0512 Fax: 414-­‐377-­‐0799 Mequon-Thiensville School District
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CONTENTS
Introduction 3 Process and Methodology 3 Survey Results 4 Addendum 10 Mequon-Thiensville School District
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Introduction
The Mequon-­‐Thiensville School District and its board are committed to engaging the entire district community in addressing the district’s facility needs. To best accomplish its engagement goals, the district enlisted the assistance of the Donovan Group in conducting a community-­‐wide survey. The purpose of the survey was to gather community members’ feedback related to the needs of the district and some initial proposed solutions. The survey process was based on the board’s commitment to a fully inclusive process and desire to reach as many community members as possible. Joe Donovan of the Donovan Group worked with district administration to develop the survey questions. In the first week of November, a booklet that outlined the district’s facility needs and the process used to evaluate the needs, as well as an invitation to take the survey, was sent out to all members of the district community. In addition, community members were notified about the survey through articles in local newspapers, social media posts and various other methods, including personal invitations. Community members were asked to take the survey online by following a custom survey website address or to request a paper survey. The survey remained open from November 3 to November 28. The total number of survey respondents was 540, which provided a good response pool for the board. In addition, the responses to most key questions were very similar. In fact, the results of an analysis suggest that respondents from various demographic groups within the district were largely the same. The main differences among respondents were between parents and non-­‐parents. This is noted in detail in the report findings. The following section of this report presents a review of the process and methodology involved in the survey, followed by details on its results. Additional context and information is provided in blue italics. The report concludes with a review of themes within the robust comment data provided by respondents. As a whole, the data provided by this survey should give board members sound information that will assist them as the board moves forward in finding a solution to the district’s facility needs. Process and Methodology
The survey was conducted for the Mequon-­‐Thiensville School District by the Donovan Group LLC in November 2014. The Donovan Group has worked with dozens of school districts throughout the state and many of the questions included in this survey have been asked of community members in multiple districts. In the first week of November, a booklet that outlines the district’s facility needs, the process the district was using to evaluate the needs, proposed solutions and an invitation to participate in a community survey was sent out to every address in the district community. Community members were invited to participate in the survey, either online by visiting a custom survey website address or by requesting a paper copy to complete by hand. The survey remained open to all participants from November 3 to November 28. The survey was administrated using the Donovan Group’s survey engine. Efforts were made to ensure that all eligible respondents had the opportunity to take the survey, but that no respondents took it multiple times. In accordance with best practices in online Mequon-Thiensville School District
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research and to protect the security of the survey, internet protocol (IP) addresses were logged and each survey was time-­‐
stamped. There is no reason to believe that anyone took the survey more than once or that anyone from outside the district took the survey. When considering survey respondents, three important characteristics need to be analyzed—the total number of respondents, the sizes of the various subgroups and the completeness of the data provided. The total number of respondents to this survey was acceptable, at just over 500. It is important to note that for most items, there was a high level of clarity in terms of the preferences of survey takers. As such, it is very unlikely that more responses would have dramatically changed the survey results. In addition, for most subgroups, the respondent numbers were also acceptable. As for the completeness of the data, it is good, as respondents provided ample amounts of information, offering the district a clear sense of where community members stand. However, the data does not allow us to disaggregate it by more than one demographic group. For example, although we can disaggregate the data into parent and non-­‐parent groups and still have a sufficiently large pool, the size of the sample makes it impossible to disaggregate responses by residence in a particular municipality. The total pool simply is not large enough to allow for sufficiently large subgroups. Similarly, it is worth noting that by design, this data is not based on a scientific sample. As such, it should be treated as qualitative data, which is similar to data from a large number of focus groups. Because we used a convenience sample, it would be methodologically inappropriate to carry out regression analysis or attempt to calculate error. In total, our response pool is a solid one that provides sound data to the board. Survey Results
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A total of 540 people completed the survey. Of this number: • • • • • • • 0.2% said that they were “18 or under” 0.4% said that they were “19-­‐25” 3.7% said that they were “26-­‐34” 29.6% said that they were “35-­‐44” 37.4% said that they were “45-­‐54” 14.4% said that they were “55-­‐64” 14.3% said that they were “65 or over” The distribution of respondents, in terms of their ages is quite good. Overall, we have a good pool of responses. 1
It is worth noting that while IP addresses were logged, the resulting information did not identify the respondents. In this way, the anonymity of the survey was maintained. IP information was also not shared with the district. 2
This number includes only those who started and completed the survey. In some cases, it is methodologically sound to include data from those who started surveys, but did not complete them. In this case, however, some uncompleted surveys were started by respondents who later fully completed other surveys. Therefore, the decision was made to exclude data from incomplete surveys. Mequon-Thiensville School District
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When asked, “Where do you reside?” • 88.1% of respondents answered “Mequon” • 11.7% of respondents answered “Thiensville” • 0.2% of respondents answered “Other” Based on conversations with district administration, this distribution of community members reflects the nature of the district. It is important to note that when we disaggregated the data, there did not seem to be any noteworthy differences in the responses of participants from the two communities. When asked, “How long have you lived in the Mequon-­‐Thiensville School District?” • 6.9% of respondents answered “Less than 2 years” • 10.4% of respondents answered “Between 2 and 5 years” • 19.4% of respondents answered “Between 5 and 10 years” • 33.0% of respondents answered “Between 10 and 20 years” • 16.5% of respondents answered “Between 20 and 30 years” • 13.9% of respondents answered “More than 30 years” While there was a correlation between respondents’ number of years in the district and their answers to key survey questions, this was not as significant as whether the respondent was a parent or not. In the next question, respondents were asked to “Please check all of the following that apply to you.” • 62.4% of respondents selected “I have school-­‐aged children” • 9.7% of respondents selected “I have preschool-­‐aged children” • 69.7% of respondents selected “I have children who currently attend or have attended a Mequon-­‐Thiensville School District school” • 3.2% of respondents selected “I have grandchildren who currently attend or have attended a Mequon-­‐
Thiensville School District school” • 10.5% of respondents selected “I have attended an Mequon-­‐Thiensville School District school” • 9.5% s of respondents selected “I am a community member who has never had children attending a Mequon-­‐
Thiensville School District school” • 3.6% of respondents selected “Other” For this report, we consider as “parents” those who noted they have children who currently attend or have attended 3
a Mequon-­‐Thiensville School District school. We consider as “non-­‐parents” those who did not select this item. As noted, there was a strong correlation between parent and non-­‐parent status and specific answers to key survey questions. In fact, this status was the most important determinant for how respondents answered the survey, surpassing age or number of years in the district. This is explained in more detail later in this report. 3
Respondents who indicated they had preschool-­‐aged children or who noted in a subsequent answer their children attended one of the district’s schools were removed from the non-­‐parent sample. In total, there were 88 non-­‐parents in the sample. Mequon-Thiensville School District
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Finally, for the question above, respondents could give more than one answer depending on their situation, which is why the total percentage exceeds 100%. The percentages given above are based on the total number of responses per item, divided by the total number of respondents who answered the question. The following question asked respondents, “If you have school-­‐aged children, in which grades are your children? (Select all that apply)” • 171 parent respondents selected ”Homestead High School” • 102 parent respondents selected ”Lake Shore Middle School” • 62 parent respondents selected ”Steffen Middle School” • 77 parent respondents selected ”Donges Bay Elementary” • 59 parent respondents selected ”Oriole Lane Elementary” • 64 parents respondents selected ”Wilson Elementary” • 1 parent respondents selected ”Public school outside of the district” • 32 parents respondents selected ”Private school” • 69 parents respondents selected ”I do not have school-­‐aged children” • 4 parents respondents selected ”My children are home-­‐schooled” • 9 parents respondents selected ”Other” Please note that for this item numbers rather than percentages are given to show the respondents’ distribution across grades. Once again, respondents were asked to give multiple answers if they had multiple children. Then, respondents were asked, “If you have children who attended a school in the Mequon-­‐Thiensville School District, but do not now, what was the last year that they attended?” • The range of responses was 1978 to 2013, with an average of 2004. Next, all respondents were asked, “Where do you get most of your information about the schools and the district? (Select all that apply)” • 37.2% of respondents selected “Parent organizations” • 44.5% of respondents selected “Friends or neighbors” • 30.7% of respondents selected “My children and their friends” • 69.5% of respondents selected “District mailings” • 49.3% of respondents selected “School websites” • 39.4% of respondents selected “District website” • 53.5% of respondents selected “School newsletters” • 46.4% of respondents selected “District newsletters” • 13.5% of respondents selected “School board meetings” • 28.6% of respondents selected “Teachers and staff” • 15.3% of respondents selected “Milwaukee Journal Sentinel” • 35.9% of respondents selected “News Graphic” • 18.1% of respondents selected “North Shore Now” • 2.4% of respondents selected “Local blogs” • 6.9% of respondents selected “Local television” Mequon-Thiensville School District
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• • • • 5.0% of respondents selected “Local radio” 9.5% of respondents selected “Facebook” 1.9% of respondents selected “Twitter” 3.2% of respondents selected “Other” These percentages are generally consistent with the results of previous surveys. Respondents were then asked, “What is the best way for the district and its schools to communicate with you?” In all groups, the most common response was email. This included residents who do not have children in the schools. Another common response was district mailers. Respondents were then asked to indicate their level of agreement with the statement, “I believe the district's facility needs must be addressed now.” • 50.5% of respondents indicated that they “Strongly agree” • 36.5% of respondents indicated that they “Agree” • 7.9% of respondents indicated that they “Disagree” • 5.1% of respondents indicated that they “Strongly disagree” This level of agreement is much higher than we typically see for this type of question. Nearly 93% of parents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement. Approximately 68% of non-­‐parents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement. Respondents were then asked to indicate their level of agreement with the statement, “I believe that learning facilities that support a modern curriculum are important to student learning.” • 55.3% of respondents indicated that they “Strongly agree” • 33.8% of respondents indicated that they “Agree” • 7.7% of respondents indicated that they “Disagree” • 3.2% of respondents indicated that they “Strongly disagree” Again, this level of agreement is much higher than we typically see for this type of question. Nearly 93% of parents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement. Approximately 80% of non-­‐parents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement. Respondents were then asked to indicate their level of agreement with the statement, “I would vote “yes” on a referendum question if I felt that it was the correct solution that addressed the needs identified as Capital Improvement Projects.” • 53.2% of respondents indicated that they “Strongly agree” • 32.4% of respondents indicated that they “Agree” • 6.9% of respondents indicated that they “Disagree” • 7.4% of respondents indicated that they “Strongly disagree” Mequon-Thiensville School District
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Nearly 93% of parents and 65% of non-­‐parents agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. Respondents were then asked to indicate their level of agreement with the statement, “I would vote “yes” on a referendum question if I felt that it was the correct solution that addressed the needs related to Student Centered Learning Environments.” • 50.6% of respondents indicated that they “Strongly agree” • 32.8% of respondents indicated that they “Agree” • 9.1% of respondents indicated that they “Disagree” • 7.6% of respondents indicated that they “Strongly disagree” Nearly 91% of parents and 67% of non-­‐parents agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. Respondents were then asked to indicate their level of agreement with the statement, “I would vote “yes” on a referendum question if I felt that it was the correct solution that addressed Homestead Athletics needs.” • 31.4% of respondents indicated that they “Strongly agree” • 39.4% of respondents indicated that they “Agree” • 17.5% of respondents indicated that they “Disagree” • 11.6% of respondents indicated that they “Strongly disagree” Approximately 78% of parents and 55% of non-­‐parents agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. Respondents were then asked to indicate their level of agreement with the statement, “I would vote “yes” on a referendum question if I felt that it was the correct solution that addressed Performing Arts needs.” • 39.4% of respondents indicated that they “Strongly agree” • 37.3% of respondents indicated that they “Agree” • 14.4% of respondents indicated that they “Disagree” • 9.0% of respondents indicated that they “Strongly disagree” Approximately 83% of parents and 61% of non-­‐parents agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. Respondents were then asked to indicate their level of agreement with the statement, “I would support a $20 million referendum to address ALL of the items identified as district facility needs including Capital Improvement Projects, Student Centered Learning Environments, Homestead Athletics and Homestead Performing Arts Center which would have a tax impact of $0.19 increase over current year per $1,000 of equalized home value for three years and then drops to current debt rate of approximately $.50 per year per $1,000 of equalized home value for remaining 12 years of payments.” • 45.7% of respondents indicated that they “Strongly agree” • 26.4% of respondents indicated that they “Agree” • 13.7% of respondents indicated that they “Disagree” • 14.3% of respondents indicated that they “Strongly disagree” Mequon-Thiensville School District
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Approximately 82% of parents and 47.7% of non-­‐parents agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. Respondents were then asked to indicate their level of agreement with the statement, “I would support a $11 million dollar referendum to address ONLY the items identified as Capital Improvement Projects, which would have a tax impact of $0.10 increase over current year per $1,000 of equalized home value for three years and then drops below current debt rates to approximately $0.29 per year per $1,000 of equalized home value for remaining 12 years of payments. • 35.8% of respondents indicated that they “Strongly agree” • 36.4% of respondents indicated that they “Agree” • 14.4% of respondents indicated that they “Disagree” • 13.4% of respondents indicated that they “Strongly disagree” Approximately 77% of parents and 61% of non-­‐parents agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. Finally, respondents were asked to use a text box to share solutions with the school board, which the board could consider in addressing the district’s facility needs. Although responses were not required, the vast majority of survey participants used the opportunity to share information with the board. The responses were very robust and in many cases, quite long. In total, there were some 18,000 words left by respondents, adding up to approximately 30 single-­‐spaced pages. Theme #1) Support for a referendum A theme that came through in the comment data is that some respondents strongly supported the board placing a 4
referendum on the ballot. The following are some representative comments : •
Our children are our future, and it is very unfortunate that we educate our children in aging facilities that are third rate at best. We are the top school district in the state, which is a reason people move to this district. People also move here because of low taxes. However, you just cannot have both. You can't have an amazing school district and not expect to pay for it in some capacity. Investment in infrastructure will pay dividends and we NEED to do this NOW. •
A strong school district in Mequon is very important. This is an investment in our strong school system and is definitely needed to stay competitive. •
If our school district's reputation declines (real or perceived) then the value of our homes will decline as well. People need to support our schools because it is the right thing to do for our children, but if that reason is not enough, then consider the economic ramifications of letting our district slide. The problems listed in the brochure that was mailed to the residents need to be taken care of ASAP. •
This is a no-­‐brainer. The annual cost of this referendum to us homeowners is less than a month's worth of Starbucks coffee. If you look at what is being proposed, these are real needs. REAL needs. There is nothing "fluffy" in here. Theme #2) Not taking care of facilities Other respondents expressed concern about the high cost of the referendum and said they felt the district had not adequately taken care of its facilities. The following are some representative comments: 4
Please note that in all cases the comments have not been edited. Mequon-Thiensville School District
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I understand, like one's home, improvements need to be made at MT schools. Your mailing shows pictures of broken tile & flooring in schools. If this is just a small example of repairs needed, then fix it with the current budget. The rotting wood by the window -­‐ is there only 1 window or dozens that exhibit this degrading? The gym floor -­‐ why can't just a few boards be replaced instead of the entire floor? In these times, I think you need to prioritize your improvements instead of wanting “everything.” Why were these improvements not planned for by long term, visionary, budget planning, like any company would have to do? Why were not these addressed earlier? Repair & building costs are at an all time astronomical high these days. As things need repair the Administration should address that item and not wait until they have a multi-­‐million dollar referendum. (example -­‐ when a homeowner has a roof to be replaced they do it, a new furnace they replace it and budget accordingly.) You have had ample time and opportunity to plan for these life cycle events. To demand money now shows nothing more than the incompetence of the past. These are hard times for everyone, live within your budget like the everyone else. Theme #3) Concerns about taxes Finally, a number of respondents expressed concerns about the potential for raising taxes and waste in the district. The following are some representative comments: •
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The economy has been bad for over 7 years and families do not have extra cash to pay for huge school projects. How can you ask us to pay more when getting the basics to live on are going up. Pay off the old debt before taking on new debt. Items like new scoreboards, bleachers, updating the PAC lobby and seats sounds to me like luxury items. These items may not be in fashion, but if they still work do not replace them. I have not been overly pleased with the district's use of funds. I hear we do not have money and then we hire people to do fundraising and recruiting and all such things. How much do we spend on the latest greatest gadgets? I have read the brochure, looked at the pictures and this material did not make the case for the expenditure. I'm hesitant to vote yes on any referendum due to the fact that there is so much wastefulness that goes on within the district. I know that when the district receives money for something that it is NEVER used for what it is supposed to go towards. Cut your budget drastically. None of this is required for learning period. No evidence correlation between spending and achievement. Cut, close schools and realize a healthy voucher system will continue to shrink your base. STOP ASKINg US FoR MORE Addendum
The following is the complete survey. Note that it has been modified to fit in this report. Mequon-Thiensville School District
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Dear Community Member, We want to hear from you! The Mequon Thiensville School District is currently asking residents to participate in the process of evaluating solutions to the district’s facility needs. This process will include a high degree of community involvement. More specifically, it will allow stakeholders to review the district’s needs, consider possible solutions and contribute feedback. The survey, which will be open from November 3, 2014 to November 28, 2014, is anonymous. Every member of the community is asked to participate. The estimated time required to complete the survey is 10 minutes. We respect your time, and would like to stress the importance of your participation. Information from community members will be used by the board in its efforts to evaluate solutions that meet community needs, is financially responsible, and moves the district forward. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa McCrady, Executive Director of Communications, at 262-­‐238-­‐8517 or [email protected]. Sincerely, Dr. Demond Means, Superintendent Mequon-Thiensville School District
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What is your age? □ 18 or under □ 19-­‐25 □ 26-­‐34 □ 35-­‐44 □ 45-­‐54 □ 55-­‐64 □ 65 or over Where do you reside? □ Mequon □ Thiensville □ Other: _____________________________________________________________________ How long have you lived in the district? □ Less than 2 years □ Between 2 and 5 years □ Between 5 and 10 years □ Between 10 and 20 years □ Between 20 and 30 years □ More than 30 years Please check all of the following that apply to you: □ I have school-­‐aged children. □ I have preschool-­‐aged children. □ I have children who currently attend or have attended a Mequon-­‐Thiensville School District school. □ I have grandchildren who currently attend or have attended a Mequon-­‐Thiensville School District school. Mequon-Thiensville School District
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□ I have attended a Mequon-­‐Thiensville School District school. □ I am a community member who has never had children attend a Mequon-­‐Thiensville School District school. □ Other: _____________________________________________________________________ If you have school-­‐aged children, which schools do your children attend? (Select all that apply.) □ Homestead High School □ Lake Shore Middle School □ Steffen Middle School □ Donges Bay Elementary □ Oriole Lane Elementary □ Wilson Elementary □ Public school outside of the district □ Private school □ I do not have school-­‐aged children □ My children are home-­‐schooled □ Other: ______________________________________________________________________ If you have children who attended a school in the Mequon-­‐Thiensville School District, but do not now, what was the last year that they attended? _________________________________ Where do you get most of your information about the schools and the district? (Select all that apply.) □ Parent organizations □ Friends or neighbors □ My children and their friends □ District mailings □ School websites □ District website Mequon-Thiensville School District
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□ School newsletters □ District newsletters □ School board meetings □ Teachers and staff □ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel □ News Graphic □ North Shore Now □ Local blogs □ Local television □ Local radio □ Facebook □ Twitter □ Other: ______________________________________________________________________ What is the best way for the district and its schools to communicate with you? ____________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Background The Mequon-­‐Thiensville School District’s top priority is the safety and well-­‐being of its students, families and staff members. However, the District has a number of facility needs that require our attention in order to promote and maintain a safe and healthy learning environment. The District invests in excess of $700,000 (or approximately 2%) of the operational budget annually for the general maintenance of district Mequon-Thiensville School District
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school buildings and grounds. Our maintenance program has been effective in ensuring that all facilities are safe, clean and operate in proper condition through the end of their useful life. A long-­‐range facilities plan was developed to systematically address life cycle needs through capital projects. Definitions Life Cycle: Facilities life cycle describes the process an element of the facility goes through, from introduction to eventual replacement/repair. The school district has effectively managed to maintain (or extend) the life cycle of our facilities through our limited budget for capital improvement. Many of the proposed projects in this referendum are associated with life cycle concerns. Capital Project: Capital projects refer to repair or replacement of a major building component costing in excess of operational dollars. How did we get here? The Board of Education commissioned a facilities conditions report from Plunkett Raysich Architects (PRA) in 2012. During the 2013-­‐2014 school year, the District developed a long-­‐range facilities plan as a result of walk-­‐through assessments of facilities in collaboration with district administration, head custodians, and outside consultants. This plan was presented to the school board in April 2014. In summer 2014, a community ad-­‐hoc committee, formed to analyze the financial sustainability of the school district, submitted its final report recommendations to the board of education. The 17-­‐member committee recommends that the district seek a facilities referendum. The long-­‐range facilities plan includes a number of recommendations for basic life cycle projects in order to ensure safe buildings and appropriate learning spaces: • Replacing deteriorating bricks at Oriole Lane Elementary School • Replacing 25-­‐50 year old windows, roofs, carpeting, doors and boilers • Tuck pointing and sealing asphalt • Renovating areas to become compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) In addition to the basic life cycle projects outlined in the report, the facilities committee also recommends improvements related to student-­‐centered learning environments, the performing arts and athletic facilities. It is important to note that under state school finance laws it is difficult for schools to save money over time to address maintenance and improvements in the same way that a homeowner might under state school finance laws. School districts generally seek a referendum for funding large-­‐scale projects. Mequon-Thiensville School District
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Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements. I believe the district's facility needs must be addressed now. □ Strongly Agree □ Agree □ Disagree □ Strongly Disagree I believe that learning facilities that support a modern curriculum are important to student learning. □ Strongly Agree □ Agree □ Disagree □ Strongly Disagree We would like your thoughts regarding various projects under consideration. Capital Improvement Projects As noted, the long-­‐range facilities plan identified life cycle needs in each of the district's schools. Capital improvement projects include replacing deteriorating brick, aging boilers, inefficient single-­‐pane windows, some of which are 50 years old, flooring, roofing and sealing asphalt. In all cases, projects will be undertaken in a way that is consistent with current practices to ensure the safety of students and staff. Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statement. I would vote “yes” on a referendum question if I felt that it was the correct solution that addressed the needs identified as Capital Improvement Projects. Mequon-Thiensville School District
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□ Strongly Agree □ Agree □ Disagree □ Strongly Disagree Student Centered Learning Environments Over the years, the Mequon-­‐Thiensville School District has advanced a rigorous curriculum to ensure that students are prepared for the next stages of their lives. Increasingly, students are no longer sitting in rows, but collaborating on projects in small groups and meetings. At the same time, digital devices such as laptops and tablet computers are reducing the district's need to purchase hardcover books. Student Centered Learning Environments are flexible learning spaces that include movable furniture, whiteboards and are similar, in many ways, to collaboration workspaces in offices and universities. The Student Centered Learning Environments envisioned by the committee would upgrade the library with a flexible learning space that is necessary for a modern curriculum and would include: • Technology upgrades • Online learning • Area for multiple classrooms to convene Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statement. I would vote “yes” on a referendum question if I felt that it was the correct solution that addressed the needs related to Student Centered Learning Environments. □ Strongly Agree □ Agree □ Disagree □ Strongly Disagree Homestead Athletics Mequon-Thiensville School District
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The long-­‐range facilities plan outlined a number of needs related to Homestead athletics and physical education courses including: • Replacing main gym floor • Installing an energy efficient scoreboard • Replacing main gym and field house bleachers The needs addressed above impact the entire student body. Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statement. I would vote “yes” on a referendum question if I felt that it was the correct solution that addressed Homestead Athletics needs. □ Strongly Agree □ Agree □ Disagree □ Strongly Disagree Homestead Performing Arts The study committee outlined some need related to the Homestead Auditorium as it relates to the performing arts. The current facility has not been updated since being built in 1969. The committee's plan includes: • Replacing seats installed in 1969 • Adding energy efficient lighting • Expansion and renovation of lobby area, including restrooms, to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements. Mequon-Thiensville School District
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I would vote “yes” on a referendum question if I felt that it was the correct solution that addressed Performing Arts needs. □ Strongly Agree □ Agree □ Disagree □ Strongly Disagree Please consider two referendum options and indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements. Fiscal Impact The District will make its last debt payment related to debt incurred after the 1998 referendum in 2019. The tax impact for the next three years is approximately $0.54 per $1,000 of equalized valuation for this investment. Assuming a 15-­‐year payment schedule, new debt would be structured to come online as remaining debt from the last referendum is retired. There would be a three-­‐year period with overlapping debt. During this three-­‐year period, an increase of approximately $0.10 -­‐ $0.19 per $1,000 of equalized valuation is estimated depending upon amount borrowed. Following that, the amount of debt taxpayers would pay annually would either decline or remain essentially flat from the current debt rate. Referendum Option #1 I would support a $20 million referendum to address ALL of the items identified as district facility needs including Capital Improvement Projects, Student Centered Learning Environments, Homestead Athletics and Homestead Performing Arts Center which would have a tax impact of $0.19 increase over current year per $1,000 of equalized home value for three years and then drops to current debt rate of approximately $.50 per year per $1,000 of equalized home value for remaining 12 years of payments. □ Strongly Agree □ Agree □ Disagree □ Strongly Disagree Referendum Option #2 I would support a $11 million dollar referendum to address ONLY the items identified as Capital Improvement Projects, which would have a tax impact of $0.10 increase over current year per $1,000 of equalized home value for three years Mequon-Thiensville School District
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and then drops below current debt rates to approximately $0.29 per year per $1,000 of equalized home value for remaining 12 years of payments. □ Strongly Agree □ Agree □ Disagree □ Strongly Disagree Please use the space below to provide any additional information that you feel the board should keep in mind as it considers solutions to address the district’s facility needs. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________