Bond Proposal Approval Survey

[This page is the survey used in this study. It is edited by OROL to include the answers. Sections in square brackets were not read to respondents.]

Hello, my name is __________ and I am calling to conduct a survey on behalf of the Oyster River School Board. Please be assured that this is not a sales call. I work for RKM Research and Communications, an independent market research firm, and I'd like to ask you a few questions concerning the bond proposals that were recently voted on for renovation of the Oyster River High School.

I also want to assure you that your telephone number was chosen randomly, and all of your responses are completely confidential and anonymous.

1. First, in what city or town do you live?

   Durham	199	65.7%
   Lee	54	17.8%
   Madbury	50	16.5%
   Total	303	100.0%

   [Other or refused - TERMINATE]

2. Are you currently registered to vote in the community where you live?

   [Not registered - TERMINATE]

3. As you may know, your community recently voted on 2 bond proposals for the Oyster River School District. How much have you heard about this?

   A great deal	173	57.1%
   Moderate amount	95	31.4%
   Only a little	34	11.2%
   Nothing	0	0.0%
   Unsure	1	0.3%
   Total	303	100.0%

4. Did you happen to vote in the most recent local school district election, held on March 10 of this year?

   Yes			[Go to question 6]
   No			[Go to question 5]
   Total

5. Would you say that you usually vote in most school district elections, only some, or none of them?

   Most			[Go to question 35]
   Some			[TERMINATE]
   None/never vote			[TERMINATE]
   Total

6. One of the bond proposals was for $12.75 million, to cover infrastructure renovations at the high school, new classrooms and labs, and a new gymnasium wing.

   Do you recall if you voted for or against this bond proposal?

   For	168	55.4%	[Go to question 7]
   Against	117	38.6%	[Go to question 9]
   Did not vote on this bond	2	0.7%	[Go to question 11]
   Unsure	6	2.0%	[Go to question 11]
   Refused	10	3.3%	[Go to question 11]
   Total	303	100.0%

   [If voted for 1^st bond:]

7. Now I'd like to ask you if you would have voted for the bond proposal if it had also included money for a 500-seat auditorium OR a 850 to 900-seat auditorium?

   First, would you have voted for the bond proposal if it included $2.8 million for a 500-seat auditorium?

   Would have voted for	114	67.9%
   Would have voted against	40	23.8%
   Unsure	13	7.7%
   Refused	1	0.6%
   Total answered	168	100.0%	55.4%
   Not asked	135		44.6%
   Total	303		100.0%

8. Would you have voted for the bond if it included $4 million for a 850 to 900-seat auditorium?

   Would have voted for	57	39.9%
   Would have voted against	64	38.1%
   Unsure	36	21.4%
   Refused	1	0.6%
   Total answered	168	100.0%	55.4%
   Not asked	135		44.6%
   Total	303		100.0%

   [Go to question 11]

   [If voted against 1^st bond:]

9. What is the primary reason you voted AGAINST this bond proposal?

   [Do not read]

   Too expensive/opposed to an increase in local property taxes	49	42.6%
   Other (Specify)	41	35.7%
   Bad opinion of construction company and/or architect	12	10.4%
   Opposed to architectural design	5	4.3%
   Money should be spent to build a new high school	4	3.5%
   School doesn't need infrastructure renovations	2	1.7%
   Lack of bidding process in selection of construction company and/or architect	2	1.7%
   Total answered	115	100.0%	38.0%
   No answer	2		0.7%
   Not asked	186		61.4%
   Total	303		100.0%

10. Were there any other reasons you voted against this bond proposal?

    [Do not read (circle all mentioned)]

11. Now I'd like to ask you about the second bond proposal. The second bond proposal was for $2.8 million. This bond was for the addition of a 500-seat auditorium at the high school.

    Do you recall if you voted for or against this bond proposal?

    For	126	41.6%	[Go to question 12]
    Against	148	48.8%	[Go to question 13]
    Did not vote on this bond	4	1.3%	[Go to question 15]
    Unsure	15	5.0%	[Go to question 15]
    Refused	10	3.3%	[Go to question 15]
    Total	303	100.0%

    [If voted for 2^nd bond:]

12. Would you have voted for this bond proposal if it had been for $4 million for a 850 to 900 seat auditorium?

    Would have voted for	63	50.0%
    Would have voted against	36	28.6%
    Unsure	27	21.4%
    Refused	0	0.0%
    Total answered	126	100.0%	41.6%
    Not asked	177		58.4%
    Total	303		100.0%

    [Go to question 15]

    [If voted against 2^nd bond:]

13. What is the primary reason why you voted AGAINST this bond proposal?

    [Do not read]

    Other	57	39.9%
    Too expensive/opposed to an increase in local property taxes	49	34.3%
    Opposed to architectural design	8	5.6%
    Bad opinion of builders and/or architect	6	4.2%
    School does not need a new gymnasium	6	4.2%
    Should build a new high school	4	2.8%
    School does not need new infrastructure	4	2.8%
    Lack of bidding process for contractors	4	2.8%
    Bond did not include an auditorium	3	2.1%
    School does not need new classrooms and labs	1	0.7%
    Money should be for smaller satellite high school	1	0.7%
    Total answered	143	100.0%	47.2%
    No answer	5		1.6%
    Not asked	155		51.2%
    Total	303		100.0%

14. Were there any other reasons you voted against this bond proposal?

    [Do not read (circle all mentioned)]

    [Administered to all Respondents:]

15. Overall, would you say that the changes to be implemented by the proposed bonds were not enough for the educational needs of the community, went too far beyond the educational needs of the community, or were just right?

    Proposals were not enough	77	29.8%
    Proposals were just right	95	36.8%
    Proposals went too far	86	33.3%
    Total answered	258	100.0%	85.1%
    No answer	45		14.9%
    Total	303		100.0%

16. How satisfied are you with the job the Oyster River School Board does serving the education needs of the community?

    [Read responses:]

    Very satisfied	44	14.8%
    Somewhat satisfied	101	33.9%
    Neutral-no opinion	50	16.8%
    Somewhat dissatisfied	67	22.5%
    Very dissatisfied	36	12.1%
    Total answered	298	100.0%	98.3%
    No answer	5		1.7%
    Total	303		100.0%

17. How satisfied are you with the quality of education services offered by the Oyster River School District?

    [Read responses:]

    Very satisfied	82	28.2%
    Somewhat satisfied	106	36.4%
    Neutral-no opinion	40	13.7%
    Somewhat dissatisfied	45	15.5%
    Very dissatisfied	18	6.2%
    Total answered	291	100.0%	96.0%
    No answer	12		4.0%
    Total	303		100.0%

18. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Oyster River School Board selected the architect who designed the proposed renovations to the high school?

    [Do not read]

    Approve	36	12.5%
    Disapprove	104	36.0%
    Don't know enough to say	149	51.6%
    Total answered	289	100.0%	95.4%
    No answer	14		4.6%
    Total	303		100.0%

19. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Oyster River School Board selected the construction manager who would have managed the proposed construction?

    Approve	27	9.3%
    Disapprove	80	27.6%
    Don't know enough to say	183	63.1%
    Total answered	290	100.0%	95.7%
    No answer	13		4.3%
    Total	303		100.0%

    [Voter Priorities]

20. I am going to read three separate proposals for renovations and new construction at the Oyster River High School. Supposing that you could vote on each of them separately, please tell me how you would vote on each one. Bear in mind that you can vote for more than one of the projects.

    A $4 million bond proposal to renovate the heating, electrical, and ventilation systems of the existing school building, and bring these systems up to the current building codes?

    Definitely for	163	53.8%
    Probably for	56	18.5%
    Probably against	10	3.3%
    Definitely against	28	9.2%
    Don't know-not sure	46	15.2%
    Total	303	100.0%

21. A $5 million bond proposal to construct new classrooms and labs, for a net gain of 14 classrooms and 4 additional science labs?

    Definitely for	138	45.5%
    Probably for	67	22.1%
    Probably against	15	5.0%
    Definitely against	30	9.9%
    Don't know-not sure	53	17.5%
    Total	303	100.0%

22. A $3 million bond proposal to construct a new gymnasium wing?

    Definitely for	69	22.8%
    Probably for	40	13.2%
    Probably against	41	13.5%
    Definitely against	77	25.4%
    Don't know-not sure	76	25.1%
    Total	303	100.0%

23. Another item proposed for the Oyster River High School is a new auditorium. I am going to read two different proposals for bonds to construct the new auditorium. Bearing in mind that the actual ballot would only have one of these proposals, if either, can you tell me how you would vote on each if the vote were held today?

    A $2.8 million bond proposal to construct a new 500-seat auditorium?

    Definitely for	100	33.0%
    Probably for	27	8.9%
    Probably against	26	8.6%
    Definitely against	112	37.0%
    Don't know-not sure	38	12.5%
    Total	303	100.0%

24. A $4 million bond proposal to construct a new 850 to 900-seat auditorium?

    [SPLIT SAMPLE - 1/2 to be asked $4 million, 1/2 to be asked $5 million.]

    Definitely for	48	15.8%
    Probably for	33	10.9%
    Probably against	36	11.9%
    Definitely against	134	44.2%
    Don't know-not sure	52	17.2%
    Total	303	100.0%

25. We would like to know how you would vote on the following bond packages.

    If an election were held today that included a $10 million bond proposal to cover infrastructure renovations at the high school, additional classrooms and labs, and expansion of core facilities like the cafeteria, would you vote for it or against it?

    Definitely for	102	33.7%
    Probably for	70	23.1%
    Probably against	22	7.3%
    Definitely against	59	19.5%
    Don't know-not sure	50	16.5%
    Total	303	100.0%

26. If an election were held today that included a $16 million bond proposal to cover infrastructure renovations at the high school, new classrooms and labs, a new gymnasium wing and a 500-seat auditorium, would you vote for it or against it?

    Definitely for	83	27.4%
    Probably for	34	11.2%
    Probably against	27	8.9%
    Definitely against	117	38.6%
    Don't know-not sure	42	13.9%
    Total	303	100.0%

27. Although it was not part of the bond proposals voted on in March, some people have proposed to build a new school with enough classrooms for 850 students, a gymnasium, and a 500 seat auditorium. This would require an estimated bond of $22 million. If an election were held today that included this bond, would you vote for it or against it?

    Definitely for	37	12.2%
    Probably for	22	7.3%
    Probably against	51	16.8%
    Definitely against	136	44.9%
    Don't know-not sure	57	18.8%
    Total	303	100.0%

    [Sources of Information]

28. How satisfied are you with the job that the School Board and the School District do of keeping you informed about education issues?

    First, how would you rate the School Board?

    [Read responses:]

    Very satisfied	61	20.4%
    Somewhat satisfied	98	32.8%
    Neutral/no opinion	36	12.0%
    Somewhat dissatisfied	60	20.1%
    Very dissatisfied	44	14.7%
    Total answers	299	100.0%	98.7%
    No answer	4		1.3%
    Total	303		100.0%

29. How would you rate the School District?

    [Read responses:]

    Very satisfied	54	18.4%
    Somewhat satisfied	104	35.5%
    Neutral/no opinion	42	14.3%
    Somewhat dissatisfied	54	18.4%
    Very dissatisfied	39	13.3%
    Total answers	293	100.0%	96.7%
    No answer	10		3.3%
    Total	303		100.0%

30. Now we would like to find out where you receive information about local education issues.

    How closely do you follow education issues in your community?

    Extremely closely	55	18.2%
    Very closely	150	49.5%
    Only somewhat	89	29.4%
    Not very closely	9	3.0%
    Total	303	100.0%

31. What are your primary sources of information on educational issues in your community?

    [Do not read (Note all mentioned)]

    Foster's Daily Democrat	190	62.7%
    SPAN newsletter	110	36.3%
    Friends and neighbors	109	36.0%
    Tri-Town Transcript	60	19.8%
    CDORE	48	15.8%
    School PTO	37	12.2%
    Portsmouth Herald	30	9.9%
    Co-workers	15	5.0%
    Other	18	6.1%
    Total answers	279		92.1%
    No answer	6		2.0%
    Total	303		100.0%

32. Did you read the newsletter circulated by PASS, which is the newsletter of the Parents and School Supporters?

    [If yes:] Did you read all of the newsletter, most of it, or just some of it?

    No-do not read	49	18.5%
    Read some	33	12.5%
    Read most	39	14.7%
    Read all	144	54.3%
    Total answers	265	100.0%	87.5%
    No answer	38		12.5%
    Total	303		100.0%

33. In the past 2 years, have you read SPAN, which is the official School Board newsletter sent to all households on the tax rolls in Durham, Lee and Madbury?

    [If yes:] Did you read all of the newsletter, most of it, or just some of it?

    No-do not read	20	6.9%
    Read some	37	12.7%
    Read most	71	24.4%
    Read all	163	56.0%
    Total answers	291	100.0%	96.0%
    No answer	12		4.0%
    Total	303		100.0%

34. In the past 2 years, have you read the newsletter circulated by CDORE, the Citizens for Democracy in Oyster River Education?

    [If yes:] Did you usually read all of the newsletter, most of it, or just some of it?

    No-do not read	64	22.9%
    Read some	34	12.1%
    Read most	50	17.9%
    Read all	132	47.1%
    Total answers	280	100.0%	92.4%
    No answer	23		7.6%
    Total	303		100.0%

    [Go to question 39]

    [If not vote in local elections (only those who did not vote in the most recent election, but said they do vote in most local elections, will be asked q35-q38):]

35. How likely is it that you will vote in next year's election, if it contains bond proposals for changes or renovations to the high school?

    [Probably/Definitely would not vote - TERMINATE]

36. We would like to know how you would vote on the following bond packages.

    If an election were held today that included a $10 million bond proposal to cover infrastructure renovations at the high school, additional classrooms and labs, and expansion of core facilities like the cafeteria, would you vote for it or against it?

37. If an election were held today that included a $16 million bond proposal to cover infrastructure renovations at the high school, new classrooms and labs, a new gymnasium wing and a 500-seat auditorium, would you vote for it or against it?

38. Although it was not part of the bond proposals voted on in March, some people have proposed to build a new school with enough classrooms for 850 students, a gymnasium, and a 500 seat auditorium. This would require an estimated bond of $22 million. If an election were held today that included this bond, would you vote for it or against it?

39. Do you think that over the next few years, enrollment at the Oyster River High School will increase, decrease, or stay the same?

    Increase	241	79.5%
    Decrease	9	3.0%
    Stay the same	21	6.9%
    Don't know/not sure	32	10.6%
    Total	303	100.0%

40. Ten years from now, do you think that Oyster River High School will have more students enrolled, fewer students enrolled, or about the same amount?

    More	189	62.4%
    Fewer	11	3.6%
    About the same	49	16.2%
    Don't know/not sure	54	17.8%
    Total	303	100.0%

41. How important do you think it is for Oyster River High School to be accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges?

    Very important	221	72.9%
    Somewhat important	45	14.9%
    Not important	21	6.9%
    Not familiar with accreditations	13	4.3%
    Total answers	300	100.0%	99.0%
    No answer	3		1.0%
    Total	303		100.0%

42. Are you aware that Oyster River High School has received a warning from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges based on its physical facilities?

    Yes	269	88.8%
    No	31	10.2%
    Total answers	300	100.0%	99.0%
    No answer	3		1.0%
    Total	303		100.0%

    [Demographics]

43. Now just a few questions for classification.

    Which of the following categories best describes your age?

    18-34	14	4.6%
    35-50	141	46.5%
    51-64	87	28.7%
    65+	55	18.2%
    Other	6	2.0%
    Total	303	100.0%

44. Do you own or rent the place where you live?

    Own	286	94.4%
    Rent	13	4.3%
    Total	303	100.0%

45. Do you, or anyone in your household, work for the Oyster River School District?

    Yes	28	9.2%
    No	275	90.8%
    Total	303	100.0%

46. Do you, or anyone in your household, work for the University of New Hampshire?

    Yes	73	24.1%
    No	230	75.9%
    Total	303	100.0%

47. How many children age 18 or under live in your household, if any?

    None	146	48.2%
    1 or more	157	51.8%
    Total	303	100.0%

    That was the last question. Thank you very much for your time. Your comments have been very helpful.

48. [Interviewer: Enter gender of respondent.]

    Male	126	41.6%
    Female	177	58.4%
    Total	303	100.0%

Last update on 29-Mar-99 at 9:31 PM.

http://www.orol.org/schools/orhs/orgs/cac/survey.html

This page is edited by David K. Taylor. Please send questions or comments to editor@orol.org.