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Survey Project Goals. Community surveys were conducted in June 2009 and June 2010, as critical components of a District and Stakeholder coalition planning process to engage the community in the funding needs of our schools.
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Survey Project Goals • Community surveys were conducted in June 2009 and June 2010, as critical components of a District and Stakeholder coalition planning process to engage the community in the funding needs of our schools. • With the input of the Board and Superintendent, the June 2010 Survey assessed: • community support for the Strategic Vision that was unanimously adopted by the Board. • willingness to support a potential parcel tax measure to benefit Student Achievement, Support, and Safety.
Key Survey Findings • The Oakland community strongly supports various aspects of the Strategic Vision, particularly those that address the whole needs of the child. • Oakland voters strongly believe that effective, experienced teachers and school staff are needed and that the District should be financially stable. • The Oakland community continues to support our neighborhood schools. A $195 Parcel Tax is viable in November 2010 at the two-thirds requirement level. • Unlike other jurisdictions, a 4-year sunset term is not as appealing as a 10-year sunset, because of a strong recognition that our schools and children need funding to succeed.
Additional Observations • When comparing these poll results against the 2009 Community Survey results and the responses of mail ballot voters in both 2009 and 2010 surveys: • A low-turnout or mail-ballot election in today’s economy will likely not be viable and is not recommended. • If the District opts not to proceed in November 2010, we recommend that the District wait until 2012, unless the economy changes dramatically.
Voters continue to hold teachers and local schools in high regard. (Ranked by % Total Favorable) 2. I'm going to read you a short list of public figures and organizations. For each one you have heard of, please tell me whether, overall, you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable or very unfavorable opinion. *Split Sample
7 in 10 believe the District does not have the resources to increase teacher and staff salaries. (Ranked by % Very Accurate) 9. I would like to read you some statements about Oakland neighborhood public schools. Please tell me if you think each of the following statements is accurate or inaccurate. ^Not part of Split Sample
A $195 parcel tax measure with a 10 year sunset garners robust support. Total Yes 70% Total No27% 4. If the election were held today, would you vote yes in favor of this measure or no to oppose it?
The measure enjoys 2/3rds support at each cost point tested. Suppose the measure I just described was for _____________ per parcel instead of $195 dollars. In that case, would you vote yes in favor of it or no to oppose it? (Ranked by % Definitely Yes) 67% 28% 67% 28% 70% 27% Q3/4 and Q5.
Student achievement, college and career readiness and retaining teachers are top priorities. (Ranked by % Total Extremely/Very Important) 11a/b/d/e/f/h/j/k/l/m/n/o/p/q/t. If this measure passes, the money could be used for a number of things and various structural features could be included. Please tell me how important it is to you that each of the following be funded or included in the measure: extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not too important. Split Sample
Voters also care about offsetting state budget cuts, school safety and meeting a comprehensive set of student needs. 11a/b/d/e/f/h/j/k/l/m/n/o/p/q/t. If this measure passes, the money could be used for a number of things and various structural features could be included. Please tell me how important it is to you that each of the following be funded or included in the measure: extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not too important. Split Sample
Improving teacher performance is important (Ranked by % Total Extremely/Very Important) 11c/g/k/p/r/s. If this measure passes, the money could be used for a number of things and various structural features could be included. Please tell me how important it is to you that each of the following be funded or included in the measure: extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not too important. Split Sample
Linking support staff to their impacton students resonates well with voters. (Ranked by % Total Extremely/Very Important) 11i/q. If this measure passes, the money could be used for a number of things and various structural features could be included. Please tell me how important it is to you that each of the following be funded or included in the measure: extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not too important. Split Sample
Fully equipping schools to meet student needs emerges as the most compelling reason to support the measure. (Ranked by Total Convincing) 77% 76% 75% 12. I am going to read you some statements made by people who support the parcel tax measure we have been discussing. Please tell me whether you find it very convincing, somewhat convincing, or not convincing as a reason to vote yes on the measure. Split Sample.
Voters also find the goal of retaining experienced, effective teachers to be a compelling reason to support the measure. 69% 67% 65% 12. I am going to read you some statements made by people who support the parcel tax measure we have been discussing. Please tell me whether you find it very convincing, somewhat convincing, or not convincing as a reason to vote yes on the measure. Split Sample.
$195 10-Year Parcel Tax Measure Vote Progression 3/4/ and 13/15. If the election were held today, would you vote yes in favor of this measure or no to oppose it?
Consultant Observations and Recommendations • We recommend that the District place a $195 parcel tax with a 10-year sunset on the November 2010 ballot to implement its Strategic Vision. • Unlike other local measures that will appear on the upcoming ballot, voters are clearly supportive of Oakland’s children and quality education. • The Parcel Tax ballot language has been carefully crafted to specifically address voter and stakeholder priorities identified by our team, over the past year. • A unanimous vote of the School Board to place the measure on the ballot to allow voters to decide is strongly recommended.
For more information, contact: FM3 1999 Harrison St., Suite 1290Oakland, CA 94612Phone (510) 451-9521 Fax (510) 451-0384 Shakari@FM3research.com The Lew Edwards Group 5454 Broadway Oakland, CA 94618 P.O. Box 21215 Oakland, CA 94620 tel: 510/594-0224 fax: 510/420-0734 root@lewedwardsgroup.com