GCSD 2013 School Budget Vote Exit Survey Report

Guilderland
Central School District
2013 School Budget Vote Exit Survey Report
PRODUCED IN COOPERATION WITH THE CAPITAL REGION BOCES COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE, JUNE 2013
2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT
Introduction
The Guilderland Central School District conducted an exit survey during its Annual School Budget Vote on May 21, 2013. The purpose was to collect demographic data about who voted on the budget and information about why voters voted the way they did. The survey was voluntary and anonymous. Surveys were made available to voters at the polling sites for anyone who chose to fill one out after voting, both electronically and in paper form. While these results do not represent the opinions of all voters, they do provide many residents perceptions about the district and its proposed budget. The following data were compiled by the Capital Region BOCES Communications Service in cooperation with BOCES public information specialist assigned to Guilderland, Amy Zurlo.
In 2013, 21% of voters filled out an exit survey, the lowest particpation rate since the district began conducting exit survyes in 2008.
Please note: Percentages, where provided, are out of the number of survey participants who responded to that particular question, and not out of the total number of survey participants. For some questions, total percentages may add up to more than 100% because participants were able to select more than one answer choice.
Guilderland voter turnout and survey participation

In 2013, 2,789 residents voted on Guilderlands school budget. This voter turnout was the lowest for a budget vote since 2004 and declined by 13% for the second year in a row. [See chart below.]
Of the 2,789 residents who voted, 587 chose to fill out an exit survey, a response rate of 21%. This response rate is 8 percentage points below last years and the lowest since the district began conducting exit surveys in 2008. [See chart below.] Of the 587 completed surveys, 118or 20%were completed online, more than double last years percentage.
VOTER TURNOUT AND SURVEY RESPONSE RATE: HISTORICAL TRENDS
4000 3185 3000 3417
3967
3709 3212 2789
2000 1342 1000 874

(27%)
813
(34%) (24%)
1050
(28%)
925
(29%)
587
(21%)
0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Voter Turnout Survey completed
2013
Polling locations
Based on exit survey participation, Westmere Elementary School was the most popular polling site for the fourth year in a row, with a third (33%) of survey participants voting there, compared to 47% in 2012. Altamont Elementary, Guilderland Elementary and Pinebush Elementary all experienced an increase in percentage of survey respondents. [Note: Due to a data collection error in 2011, polling location was not determined for 16% of survey respondents.]
SURVEY RESPONDENTS BY POLLING LOCATION: THREE-YEAR TREND
100% 75% 50% 36% 25% 11% 0% Altamont Guilderland 2011 Lynwood 2012 2013 26% 18% 16% 17% 13% 18% 15% 18% 8% 3% 7% Westmere 47% 33%
Pinebush
Who voted in Guilderlands annual budget vote?

Voters by age group
The chart at right classifies voters by age group, as indicated by exit survey data. The distribution is similar to that of the past two years, with 62% saying they are at least 51 years old.
AGE DISTRIBUTION OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS: THREE-YEAR TREND
Town and length of residency
100%
Town of Guilderland residents remain the majority of voters participating in the exit survey, at 90% of respondents. Bethlehem residents constituted 8%, while Knox and New Scotland residents were a combined 2% of survey respondents. Once again, half (50%) of the survey respondents said they have been district residents for at least 20 years, while 28% said 11-20 years and 22% said theyve been residents for 10 years or less. The distribution has been similar over the past four years.
25% 75% 36%
28%
27%
50%
35%
34%
65+ 51-64 31-50 18-30
25%
35% 4% 2011
33% 5% 2012
35% 4% 2013
0%
Parent and non-parent voters

As has been the case since 2009, people without children currently attending Guilderland schools are the majority of survey participants. In 2013, they represented 62% of respondents.
In 2013, 62% of survey respondents said they do not have children currently enrolled at GCSD.
Of these respondents, 73% said one or more child had attended Guilderland in the past, up from 71% in 2012, and 21% indicated one or more child would attend in the future, down from 29% last year. Respondents with children currently attending Guilderland schools (38% of all participants) indicated the following enrollment distribution:
2011 2012 2013
Typical voting habits
This data shows a modest but steady increase in survey respondents with children attending district elementary schools and a similar decrease in respondents with children attending the middle and/or high schools over the past three years.
Grades K-5........................54%...............57%...............58% Grades 6-8........................38%...............36%...............35% Grades 9-12.................... 46%...............43%...............42%
In 2013, 83% of survey respondents said they typically vote yes on the budget (compared with 77% last year), while 13% said they typically vote no (compared with 16% in 2012), and 4% said they have not voted in the past.
District and non-district employees
Of the 583 respondents who answered this question, 93% said they were not an employee of the Guilderland Central School District.
How did Guilderland residents vote?
Of those who completed a survey in 2013, 12 participants did not indicate how they voted on the budget. Of those that did, 432 said they voted yes on the budget, while 143 said they voted no. This represents a margin of 75% in favor and 25% opposed.
BUDGET APPROVAL RATES : FOUR-YEAR HISTORY
100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 2010 2011 2012 2013 Actual Approval Rate Survey Approval Rate 55% 70% 59% 56% 63% 75% 64% 75%
The actual approval rate of the budget was 64%a difference of 11 percentage points meaning that a higher percentage of yes voters filled out an exit survey than did no voters. In our experience, this is not common with school budget vote exit surveys. In Guilderland,
the same trend has been evident since 2008, although the margin of difference in 2013 is greater than in prior years.
Budget approval rates among different voter categories
Budget approval rates among survey respondents were were similar across all five polling sites, ranging from 71% at Guilderland Elementary to 79% at Altamont Elementary.
As was the case last year, at least three-quarters of survey respondents living in Bethlehem and Guilderland approved the budget (87% and 75%, respectively), while 50% of those in Knox and 56% of those in New Scotland voted yes on the budget. It should be noted, however, that those living in Knox and New Scotland represent just 13 respondents. Among the survey respondents, a majority approved the budget in 2013 regardless of age or length of time as a district resident. Although approval rates increased from last year in all but one age category, the approval rate declined as respondents age increased, a trend consistent with the past two years.
AGE GROUP APPROVAL RATE 2012 2011 2013
18-30..........................................73%...............88%.............. 95% 31-50..........................................72%...............86%.............. 80% 51-64..........................................61%...............71%.............. 75% 65+..............................................51%...............66%.............. 68%
YEARS AS RESIDENT
Regarding length of residency, approval rates increased or remained steady in every group since 2012. However, approval rates also declined as respondents length of district residency increased, again consistent with the past two years.
APPROVAL RATE 2011 2012 2013
0-10.............................................68%...............82%.............. 83% 11-20..........................................67%...............78%.............. 79% 20+..............................................58%...............70%.............. 70%
Respondents with children currently enrolled in Guilderland schools approved the budget at a higher rate than those without children currently attending Guilderland. However, the gap between the approval rates of these two groups is smaller than in the prior two years, as illustrated below.
VOTER CATEGORY APPROVAL RATE 2012 2011 2013
Children currently enrolled.......................... 73%.........87%....... 84% No children currently enrolled.................... 57%.........68%....... 70%
Regardless of their childrens grade level, respondents with children currently enrolled in the district approved the budget by at least 84% in 2013, as shown below.
Approval rate among non-district parents

By filtering the survey responses using multiple questions, it can be determined that 33 respondents in 2013 either have no children or have chosen to enroll their children elsewhere (i.e., their children are not currently enrolled at Guilderland, have never attended Guilderland and will not attend in the future). Among these 33 nondistrict parent respondents, the budget approval rate was 64%. In 2012, the budget approval rate for the 52 non-district parent respondents was 73%. In 2011, it was 42% for the 96 respondents.
Children in grades K-5....................................80%.......90%....... 86% Children in grades 6-8....................................75%.......89%....... 87% Children in grades 9-12..................................65%.......83%....... 84%
Among respondents without children currently attending district schools, data shows that those who said their children will attend in the future approved the budget at a higher rate than other groups, as indicated below.
Children previously enrolled...................... 61%.........71%..........73% Children never attended............................... 47%.........71%..........69% Children will enroll in future...................... 71%.........86%..........93% Children will not enroll in future.............. 53%.........68%..........56%
This year, 88% of respondents who said they typically vote yes approved the 2013 budget proposal, while 93% of those who said they typically vote no voted against the budget. About two-thirds (68%) of those who said they were voting for the first time voted in favor of the budget.
Of the 2013 respondents who indicated they are district employees, the approval rate was 93%, compared with an approval rate of 74% for those who said they are not district employees.
How do Guilderland voters feel about exceeding the tax cap?
For the second year, Guilderland survey participants were asked about the states new tax levy cap and whether or not they would be willing to support a budget that exceeds the districts tax levy limit if doing so meant fewer cuts to programs and services for students. About half (52%) said they would be willing to do so, compared with 65% who said so last year. About one-quarter (27%) said they would not be willing, and 21% said they were unsure. Of those who said they would be willing to do so, 97% voted yes on this years budget, while just 29% of those unwilling to exceed the limit approved the budget.
Why do voters vote the way they do?

The following, in descending order, are the reasons given by the yes respondents for approving the budget: I support investing in education....................................................86% I am pleased with the quality of education...............................67% The budget meets the needs of our students...........................56% The spending/tax increase is reasonable..................................52% I have children/grandchildren in the schools.........................35% The budget addresses a service/program that is important to me...................................................................... 15% Other reason [see comments, pp. 17-19].....................................11%
The following, in descending order, are the reasons given by the no respondents for voting against the budget: The spending/tax increase is not reasonable.......................... 67% I support education, but cant afford the cost.......................... 47% I do not have children/grandchildren in the schools........... 23% I am not pleased with the quality of education....................... 17% The budget does not meet the needs of our students.......... 12% The budget fails to provide a service/program that is important to me......................................................................... 9% Other reason [see comments, pp. 21-22]..................................... 28%
From this data, one can draw a few conclusions; namely, that:
While half of the yes respondents said the tax increase was reasonable, two-thirds of the no respondents found it to be unreasonable. Providing a quality educational program for students remains important to Guilderland voters. Similar to last years data, more than four in five yes respondents said they support investing in education, and half the no respondents agreed, but said their economic circumstances prevented it.
Again, similar to last year, two-thirds of the yes respondents are pleased with Guilderlands educational program, while 17% of no respondents said they are not.
Bus and equipment purchase proposition approval rates

The actual approval rate for this years bus purchase proposition was 62% in favor to 38% opposed. A total of 2,777 votes were cast on the proposition, which is 12 votes fewer than were cast on the budget. As with the budget vote, the approval rate for this proposition was higher among exit survey participants, at 72%, than among actual voters. As was the case in 2012, exit survey data show that support for the bus purchase declined as respondents age increased and as respondents length of residency in the district increased. More than four-fifths of respondents (84%) who have children currently attending district schools approved the bus purchase, while two-thirds (65%) of those who do not have children currently enrolled offered their support. [See data, pp. 45-46.] Also, 96% of those who approved the bus purchase voted yes on the budget, while only 24% who voted against the purchase supported the budget.
Where did Guilderland voters get their information about the budget?
Among survey respondents, 88% said they had adequate information about the budget, similar to last year. Once again, the top two budget information sources are the district newsletter and local newspapers, respectively. As in 2012, five of the top six sources of budget information were district sources. 2011 2012 2013 District newsletter.............................................74%............. 70%.............. 74% Local newspapers..............................................40%............. 40%.............. 32% District website...................................................26%............. 25%.............. 27% School newsletters............................................31%............. 27%.............. 25% School News Notifier (SNN)..........................16%............. 16%.............. 21% Board of Education meetings........................16%............. 14%.............. 15% Friends/neighbors............................................16%............. 13%.............. 11% District staff members.....................................12%............. 12%.............. 11% Public budget meetings...................................14%...............7%.................8% Cable Channel 16/18........................................18%............. 13%................8% PTA meetings........................................................ 4%.................4%.................4% District Facebook page..................................... 2%.................2%.................3% District Twitter page......................................... 1%.................1%.................1% Other source [see p. 25].................................... 7%.................4%.................5%
Among those respondents who said they had adequate information about the budget, 80% approved the budget compared to 42% who said they did not have enough information. Regardless of where respondents got their budget information, a majority approved the budget.
INFO SOURCE APPROVAL RATES
2011 2012 2013 District newsletter.............................................66%............. 79%.............. 78% Local newspapers..............................................57%............. 71%.............. 77% District website...................................................71%............. 89%.............. 88% School newsletters............................................64%............. 76%.............. 77% School News Notifier (SNN)..........................78%............. 88%.............. 90% Board of Education meetings........................72%............. 85%.............. 84% Friends/neighbors............................................65%............. 82%.............. 78% District staff members.....................................82%............. 91%.............. 91% Public budget meetings...................................68%............. 90%.............. 78% Cable Channel 16/18........................................66%............. 72%.............. 67% PTA meetings.......................................................80%............100%............. 95% District Facebook page....................................80%............. 82%.............. 93% District Twitter page.......................................100%............ 50%.............100%
Who were the yes voters in Guilderland?

34% voted at Westmere Elementary School 58% said they are at least 51 years old
In 2013, of the 432 survey respondents who said they voted yes on the budget: 89% said they live in the Town of Guilderland 46% said they have lived in the district for 20 or more years 95% said they typically vote yes on the budget; 1% said they typically vote no
58% said they do not have children currently attending Guilderland schools 93% said they received adequate information about the budget 91% said they also approved the bus purchase proposition 9% said they are district employees
76% said the district newsletter was their source of budget information; 32% said local newspapers and 31% said the district website 67% said they would be willing to exceed the tax cap in the future
10
Who were the no voters in Guilderland?

In 2013, of the143 survey respondents who said they voted no on the budget: 92% said they live in the Town of Guilderland 71% said they are at least 51 years old 29% voted at Westmere Elementary, equal to the percentage who voted at Guilderland Elementary 60% said they have lived in the district for 20 or more years
52% said they typically vote no on the budget; 42% said they typically vote yes 75% said they do not have children currently attending Guilderland schools 72% said they received adequate information about the budget 87% said they also voted no on the bus purchase proposition 2% said they are district employees
69% said the district newsletter was their source of budget information; 30% said local newspapers and 14% said the district website 78% said they would not be willing to exceed the tax cap in the future
11
Survey Response Summary:

Survey participants responses to all questions
12
1. At which elementary school are you voting today?

Response Percent Altamont Elementary School Guilderland Elementary School Lynnwood Elementary School Pine Bush Elementary School Westmere Elementary School 15.7% 25.6% 8.0% 18.2% 32.5% answered question skipped question Response Count 92 150 47 107 191 587 0
2. In which town do you live?

Response Percent Guilderland Bethlehem Knox New Scotland 89.7% 8.0% 0.7% 1.5% answered question skipped question Response Count 525 47 4 9 585 2
13
3. How many years have you been a district resident?

Response Percent 0-10 11-20 20+ 22.3% 28.1% 49.6% answered question skipped question Response Count 130 164 289 583 4
4. Are you an employee of the school district?

Response Percent Yes No 7.2% 92.8% answered question skipped question Response Count 42 541 583 4
5. Do you currently have children attending Guilderland Schools?

Response Percent Yes, I have children currently attending Guilderland No, I do not have children currently attending Guilderland 37.9% Response Count 221
62.1% answered question skipped question
362 583 4
14
6. If yes, what level(s) of school do they attend?

Response Percent Grades K-5 Grades 6-8 Grades 9-12 58.1% 34.6% 42.4% answered question skipped question Response Count 126 75 92 217
7. If no, did your children ever attend Guilderland Schools?

Response Percent Yes, my children attended Guilderland schools in the past. No, my children have never attended Guilderland schools. 72.9% Response Count 15
27.1%
5
answered question skipped question

8. If no, will your children attend Guilderland Schools when they are older?
Response Percent Yes, my children will attend Guilderland schools in the future. No, my children will not attend Guilderland schools in the future. answered question skipped question 4 7.% 5 2.% Response Count 1
15
9. What age category pertains to you?

Response Percent 18-30 31-50 51-64 65+ 3.5% 34.8% 34.3% 27.4% answered question skipped question Response Count 20 201 198 158 577 10
10. How did you vote on the proposed 2013-14 budget today?
Response Percent Yes, in favor No, opposed 75.1% 24.9% answered question skipped question Response Count 432 143 575 12
16
Why did you vote YES on the proposed 2013-14 budget? (Check all that apply.)
Response Percent The budget meets the needs of our students The spending/tax increase is reasonable I am pleased with the quality of education provided by Guilderland Schools I support investing in education I have children/grandchildren in the schools The budget addresses a service or program that is important to me (please specify below) Other reason (Please specify below.) 15.2% 64 85.5% 360 67.0% 282 Response Count
56.1%
236
51.5%
217
35.2%
148
11.4%
48
Other reason/specific service or program
60
421 11
17
Q11. Why did you vote YES on the proposed 2013-14 budget? (Check all that apply.)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
I'd rather spend more and have more teachers, etc. It is the "best" of a terrible situation. [Despite yes vote] The budget does not meet the needs of the students. Music and athletics especially Budget finally gets rid of a house principal at FMS. The district is still too top heavy though. Music - it's not just about sports Special Education - in house PT Services Program important to me: Support help (for struggling students) Child have an I.E.P. I was please to see the enrichment teacher for the middle school and special ed teachers were added back in due to State funds being found. These are important to me! Enrichment teacher at FMS Kept enrichment at M.S. accelerated program. Keep H.S. music Music education, Special Ed. services Although I am concerned about teachers salaries and benefits being too high. Art Education Enrichment I would spend more to keep our schools great! Support public Ed! Education is an investment! My job Guilderland has provided an excellent education for my two grown children. AP Art, Vo-Tech & combined 9th grade Social Studies/English have been programs that really helped my children excel. Music, academics Superintendent Wiles is doing the best she can in challenging fiscal times. No response Jobs
Jun 24, 2013 11:21 AM Jun 23, 2013 3:27 PM Jun 23, 2013 3:23 PM Jun 23, 2013 3:17 PM Jun 23, 2013 3:16 PM Jun 23, 2013 2:59 PM Jun 23, 2013 2:57 PM Jun 23, 2013 1:06 PM Jun 21, 2013 3:56 PM Jun 21, 2013 3:36 PM
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Jun 21, 2013 3:33 PM Jun 21, 2013 3:23 PM Jun 21, 2013 3:21 PM Jun 21, 2013 2:45 PM Jun 21, 2013 2:44 PM Jun 21, 2013 2:41 PM Jun 21, 2013 2:35 PM Jun 21, 2013 2:27 PM Jun 21, 2013 2:26 PM Jun 21, 2013 1:40 PM Jun 21, 2013 1:37 PM
22 23 24 25
Jun 20, 2013 11:53 AM Jun 20, 2013 11:43 AM Jun 17, 2013 3:46 PM Jun 17, 2013 3:23 PM
18
26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49
Best compromise for current situation Former teacher I am a graduate of G.H. My children are graduates and I have nieces in the district. No response. No response. No response. No response. The least of the evils Library I work with children that attend these schools through the YMCA. I would support a higher budget - education is very important I work in ASCD Well done with what you had to work with! Athletics The alternative is worse for the children I feel program has been cut too deeply over the last few years. BOCES/Special Education I think the budget should have been higher so teachers and programs did not need to be cut. Programs, especially for special needs students ie: tutoring and gifted Do NOT cut music program any further. The district is doing a good job of maintaining/reducing expenses If anything we could spend more to maintain programs in Arts, Counseling, etc. The budget should be larger Honestly, I wish that there were more services provided and that the teachers weren't being cut. Why is there no gifted and talented program at the elementary level? What happened to Spanish in the elementary school? As a teacher in Guilderland School DIstrict I support my district and want to see our district maintain its quality. I also want to preserve as many teachers and
Jun 17, 2013 2:17 PM Jun 17, 2013 2:13 PM Jun 17, 2013 12:45 PM Jun 17, 2013 12:43 PM Jun 17, 2013 12:40 PM Jun 17, 2013 12:29 PM Jun 17, 2013 12:23 PM Jun 17, 2013 12:07 PM Jun 13, 2013 6:30 PM Jun 13, 2013 6:00 PM Jun 5, 2013 6:27 PM Jun 5, 2013 6:20 PM Jun 5, 2013 6:14 PM Jun 4, 2013 5:46 PM Jun 4, 2013 5:38 PM Jun 4, 2013 5:30 PM Jun 4, 2013 5:30 PM Jun 3, 2013 5:54 PM Jun 3, 2013 5:48 PM Jun 3, 2013 5:40 PM Jun 3, 2013 5:37 PM Jun 3, 2013 5:34 PM Jun 3, 2013 5:31 PM May 21, 2013 7:16 PM
50
May 21, 2013 6:44 PM
19
jobs as possible. 51 52 53 54 55 56 My children received a n excellent education and I have always supported the budget when others voted against it in the 1990's. I support art education. represents the best that can be done given the state's refusal to do its share i want to retain property value with a good school dist as long as budget is under cap If the budget isn't passed, things will be WORSE. I'm a former student, I believe I received a high quality education in the Guilderland School district, and I believe in providing a future for others to succeed as well. special need services I have no choice. continuing to keep full time assistants in the Kindergarten classroom The alternative will have devastating effects to the schools and community. We need to overturn the tax cap and increase funding to public education. May 21, 2013 6:23 PM May 21, 2013 5:14 PM May 21, 2013 4:52 PM May 21, 2013 4:18 PM May 21, 2013 4:08 PM May 21, 2013 2:41 PM
57 58 59 60
May 21, 2013 1:29 PM May 21, 2013 11:38 AM May 21, 2013 9:44 AM May 21, 2013 9:41 AM
20
Why did you vote NO on the proposed 2013-14 budget? (Check all that apply.)
Response Percent The budget does not meet the needs of our students The spending/tax increase is not reasonable I am not pleased with the quality of education provided by Guilderland Schools I support education, but can't afford the cost I do not have children/grandchildren in the schools The budget fails to provide a service or program that is important to me (please specify below) Other reason (please specify below) 8.5% 11 16.9% 22 Response Count
12.3%
16
66.9%
87
46.9%
61
23.1%
30
27.7%
36
Other reason/specific service or program
39
130 13
21
Q12. Why did you vote NO on the proposed 2013-14 budget? (Check all that apply.)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Cut sports Taxes are too high. Get the unions out of education. Poor communication with families outside the normal. Pay increase for teachers in new contract. Staff get a step every year at their tenure. Until the economy improves COLA needs to be zero. I am sick and tired of the teacher's union running Guilderland Schools. Poor schooling, pulled our children School tax makes up the most expense of my total tax bill My prayer is that the school district will manage the abundant resources already imbedded in the budget and our high taxes. Innovation, wise spending, conservative efforts & action/choices taken to benefit the highest good of our children's training and educational experiences. These are the intentions and implementations needed in the districts economic environment. Thank you for your service. School employees do not carry a fair pension/medical cost burden as private industry does. The continued reliance on other tax $ to attempt to solve problems & the lack of responsibility of this board for recognizing they negotiated unsustainable benefits that lead to program sacrifices for kids. Wifi is dangerous and shouldn't be in the schools. The focus on testing is not very educational MYOB Waste too much of it, buying just to buy to justify raising budget is not fiscal management Health benefits for school systems too generous, we cannot afford the cost. Money should be spend appropriately. Cut the high union increases, no one else gets raises. Cut the benefits. No funding should be by property tax Getting out of hand, too costly. Meaningful steps to get cost of salary, benefits and retirement in check Top heavy, too many administrators Sports. Too many cuts in staff.
Jun 24, 2013 11:08 AM Jun 24, 2013 11:07 AM Jun 23, 2013 3:19 PM Jun 23, 2013 3:18 PM Jun 23, 2013 3:14 PM Jun 23, 2013 3:13 PM Jun 23, 2013 3:08 PM Jun 23, 2013 3:05 PM
9 10
Jun 23, 2013 3:03 PM Jun 23, 2013 2:52 PM
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22
Q12. Why did you vote NO on the proposed 2013-14 budget? (Check all that apply.)
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
Need to know what the tax levy was- it was left as a question mark The education is for the kids, reduce administration & salaries there. Cut administrators, eliminate tenure, annual salary for a 10 month position? Some non-core programs are extravagant. School/Ed focus is all wrong; too much emphasis on social services. More money does NOT provide better education! We have to live within our budget!! Why don't the schools?? Funds go to Unions for which I do NOT support! Taxes are too high already Reduce Administrative staff - far too many Advanced classes I feel that there are to many cuts to instructional staff and not enough cuts in administration. The district does not permit a significant conversation with taxpayers on the learning goal, teaching methods, achievement results and the relationship to spending. the budget supports programs I don't feel are as important than programs it does NOT support. The schools should learn to live on a budget - like the rest of us have had to. Trying to save my home as you will be doing the same when you get older. School taxes should be paid by the people using the service not by just the home owner. goes beyond tax cap better control of costs vice outcome needed
Jun 17, 2013 11:35 AM Jun 13, 2013 6:29 PM Jun 13, 2013 6:21 PM Jun 13, 2013 6:19 PM Jun 13, 2013 6:11 PM Jun 13, 2013 6:03 PM Jun 13, 2013 5:57 PM Jun 5, 2013 6:08 PM Jun 5, 2013 5:50 PM Jun 4, 2013 5:34 PM Jun 4, 2013 5:32 PM May 21, 2013 6:31 PM May 21, 2013 5:48 PM
35 36 37
May 21, 2013 5:39 PM May 21, 2013 4:31 PM May 21, 2013 3:03 PM
38 39
May 21, 2013 1:23 PM May 21, 2013 10:33 AM
23
13. Do you feel that you had adequate information about the proposed budget?
Response Percent Yes No 87.9% 12.1% answered question skipped question Response Count 485 67 552 35
24
14. Where did you get information about the 2013-14 proposed budget? (Check all that apply)
Response Percent District newsletters School newsletters District Web site District Facebook page District Twitter page School News Notifier (SNN) Board of Education meetings Public budget meetings Cable Channel 16/18 PTA meetings District staff members Friends/neighbors Local newspapers Other (please specify) 74.2% 25.4% 27.0% 2.9% 0.4% 21.2% 14.7% 7.6% 8.4% 4.0% 11.1% 11.3% 31.7% Response Count 388 133 141 15 2 111 77 40 44 21 58 59 166
4.6%
24
523 64
25
Q14. Where did you get information about the 2013-14 proposed budget? (Check all that apply)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Looked at the budget District is awful, stop wasting money Alt. Enter School District seems to have excessive management cost Town newsletter Library Don't know too much No where Altamont Enterprise Union Superintendent Superintendent Wiles addressed the neighborhood association Enterprise Teachers local papers My mom Everything is a secret when the school is looking for money! Ray outside Altamont Enterprise None mail McKownville Neighborhood Association -- Don Reeb All but friends and neighbors. Enterprise
Jun 23, 2013 3:23 PM Jun 23, 2013 3:13 PM Jun 23, 2013 3:09 PM Jun 23, 2013 3:08 PM Jun 23, 2013 3:05 PM Jun 23, 2013 1:13 PM Jun 21, 2013 3:51 PM Jun 21, 2013 3:48 PM Jun 21, 2013 3:33 PM Jun 21, 2013 3:31 PM Jun 21, 2013 2:12 PM Jun 20, 2013 11:43 AM Jun 17, 2013 4:41 PM Jun 17, 2013 4:26 PM Jun 17, 2013 12:18 PM Jun 17, 2013 12:05 PM Jun 13, 2013 5:57 PM Jun 5, 2013 6:12 PM Jun 5, 2013 5:59 PM Jun 5, 2013 5:26 PM May 21, 2013 8:29 PM May 21, 2013 7:35 PM May 21, 2013 4:31 PM May 21, 2013 2:58 PM
26
15. How did you vote on the bus and equipment proposition?
Response Percent Yes on proposition No on proposition 71.9% 28.1% answered question skipped question Response Count 405 158 563 24
16. Knowing that the education funding crisis is likely to continue, would you be willing to support a budget that exceeds the district's tax levy limit if it meant fewer cuts to programs and services for students?
Response Percent Yes No Unsure 51.8% 27.3% 21.0% answered question skipped question Response Count 294 155 119 568 19
17. How have you typically voted on the school budget in the past?
Response Percent I typically vote yes. I typically vote no. I have not voted in the past. 83.0% 13.1% 3.9% answered question skipped question Response Count 469 74 22 565 22
27
18. Additional Comments

Response Count 95 answered question skipped question 95 492
28
Q18. Additional Comments
I believe the school district should stop teaching unfunded mandates and fight the State & Feds. They should also stop teaching to the test. We are turning out a student who is learning how to raise a school score, but not the level of education that is needed to develop into a well rounded person. We need to allow teachers to teach not look over there shoulders [re: exceeding tax limit] No automatic pay raises for unionized workers. I have not decided if my children will attend Guilderland when they are older. The financial needs of residents need to be taken into consideration. Salaries need to be brought into alignment. I would vote yes [to exceed tax limit] as long as taxes didn't jump too high too quickly. Having attended BOE meetings in the past I feel the need to add something not addressed in this poll. I find it hard to comprehend the level of animosity and stone walling that I have witnessed at these meetings on a regular basis. Our children are deserving of a group of adults who can work together in a spirit of community, especially since that is one of the key components that this wonderful school system actively advocates and teaches. Eventually the small mindedness and cynic thinking will make it down to their level. In these difficult times open minded, creative, cooperative thinking is the only thing that will help serve the multi-level needs of our incredibly diverse community. I sincerely hope that these grown ups can lay down these weapons now. The budget meets most of (not all) the needs of our students. The district needs to invest in the LA program as it has over the last several years in the math program. Our kids are not being taught proper grammar and sentence structure. Overall, most are weak to average in writing papers and essays. If the district continues to only teach to NYS Standards instead of teach what's best for the kids and what they actually need to know, then myself and many others will vote no on future proposed budgets. [RE: exceeding cap] Not unless someone first takes on the teacher's union. I came here to vote today mainly because I wanted to vote NO on the library budget. The library leadership has made no realistic plan to improve operations since their proposed library bond was defeated last year. The crisis with the library roof? Interesting to note that state funding somehow is now available to deal with this problem. The library leadership is elitist, has not respect for the average Guilderland resident, and is completely out-of-touch with the majority of the people of Guilderland. [GCSD] is a poorly run district! Will never [support exceeding tax limit]. You need to take a good look at your teachers especially at GES. They are terrible, do what they want, barely follow curriculum. Utter disgrace at GES, terrible, horrible experience. BTW our children excel at their current school. Why? Continuity, structure, excellent teaching! Parents are welcomed. Both husband and I highly educated, Phd and 4 teaching degrees! GES is a joke. My voting experience today was horrible - my ballot wouldn't go thru. The attendant took my ballot and read all my selections!!! No privacy whatsoever miss the old machines!! Why did you stay under 2% when you could go up to almost 4%? I just moved
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into Guilderland because of the schools. Don't let the tax cap hurt the quality of education here in Guilderland. Override the cap or at least spend up to the actual limit. 10 11 Stop cutting out of fear! We will pass the budget! [Against exceeding tax limit] only because there needs to be a broader way to address the problem, and not with teachers/parents on one side and property owners on the other [RE: typical vote] How about, it depends on what I'm voting for. [RE: exceeding tax limit] Depends on what would be cut. [I am a] Retired employee No typical vote, depends on the budget [In determining my vote] I consider the economics of the time and other facts available. My vote varies year to year [RE: exceeding tax limit] The high cost is pension/medical coverage not programs. I and many neighbors will vote no until a fair sharing of pension (401k/a) and medical benefits cost is carried by school district staff. This is how we have to fun our benefits in private industry/business. [I am a] Retired employee of the district [Got budget info from] Altamont Enterprise [I am a] former district employee. With all due respect it is time for Barbara Fraterrigo to retire from the board. Appreciate her extensive service. We need to educate our children. [Willing to support exceeding tax limit] If principals and teachers considered no raises and reasonable retirement packages. [RE: exceeding the tax limit] Be careful! [RE: education funding crisis] Unless the unions give real concessions there will not be change. I typically vote no since I retired The children of today deserve the same level of education that my children received. You need not know [how I voted]. The call it a secret ballot Please [post] better parking signs Jun 23, 2013 3:10 PM Jun 23, 2013 3:09 PM
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I am a retired teacher Taxes in this town are to high. Something must be done to finance schools another way! Was an employee of the district. Grandchildren currently attend elementary and high school in district. Grandchildren attend elementary schools Grandchildren attend elementary schools The tax cap is unfair to our children. Standardized testing has been increased to be more than necessary and you should join other districts in protesting its adverse impact on programs and students. Live within the mandated limits. The school district is way too top heavy. The School Board and Administration does not set reasonable cost reduction goals. School district does a fantastic job!! Very pleased with the education my children received there. Thank you for your effort for the next generation. Teachers salaries and benefits along with retirement benefits need to be brought in line with private companies. I support visual arts education. I would support higher taxes to maintain programs. Please continue to invest in full day Kindergarten including full time teacher's assistants or aides in the classroom. Stop cutting from the schools. I moved here for the schools. Keep cutting and they will not have the excellent programs they now offer and will go downhill. Quite concerned re: School Cuts. Reduction in staff has already affected quality of programs. Might vote "no" for budgets containing any more cuts to FACULTY, STAFF AND/or PROGRAMS! Would love a H.S. Marching Band! Smaller class sizes! Would support going over cap if those included The district should encourage more students to pursue VoTech education. In tough economic times, it is the students with skill based educations who excel. Our economy will always need plumbers, mechanics, electricians, networking, nutritionists, etc. We need to encourage students to pursue these avenues, whose education is better suited to go that route than the traditional white collar job route. We also need to educate students about the various ways to earn money and manage their finances. We have to strive to keep down the cost. I also think it unfair for seniors (65+) to have to pay school taxes when they have no children in school. The tax should be reduced for the seniors. The school taxes are driving the seniors out of their
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homes and districts. 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 Don't agree with all the time and money that is spent on standardized testing for the children. School districts should be consolidated, one county-one school district like it is in most of the country. Reduce mid management costs. I did not believe the candidates for the library board were qualified to be in that position. Thank you. Question 11 was poorly worded. I could vote yes on a budget that exceeds the tax cap under the right circumstances. Taxes in general are getting too high up to 10,000 per year between school and property Please push to get rid of the excessive testing- ELA+Math+SLO's= too much testing and too much loss of instructional time. I am not pleased with the current testing situation. I feel it is too lengthy and too frequent and too expensive. I fo not believe it is an accurate reflectioni of learning. I do believe some changes need to occur. School taxes are too high and this budget continues to add to the problem. School and education is for future taxpayers and citizens of our state benefit them not out administrators and political influences. The district bulletin failed to clearly state the current enrollment in the district. $91,000,000.00 plus is outrageous! At 77% of the gross budget, salaries and benefits are too large. There is no proposal or budget for professional law enforcement presence in our schools during regular school hours. This is an unforgivable mistake. The entire school board and the teaching staff need to be more responsible, less trendy and more scholarly, before our public education goes the way or our pubic mail service! I would love to see the transportation addressed to make sense. We have 5 busses on our residential street, can we not find a way to consolidate routes, taxes and services? Once again there was an error with my name in the voting log but at least this year it was on the list! Hopefully next year (the fifth time I have voted) it will finally be correct! You need to really check records of those people in your district to make sure they are correct, not just assume they are right when they are not! No matter how I vote the school budget is always passed!! Retired people live on BUDGETS! Schools need to ALSO! Do not raise my taxes! Jun 17, 2013 3:24 PM Jun 17, 2013 3:23 PM Jun 17, 2013 2:55 PM Jun 17, 2013 2:52 PM Jun 17, 2013 2:42 PM Jun 17, 2013 1:55 PM Jun 17, 2013 12:29 PM Jun 17, 2013 12:13 PM
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This budget has too many cuts to support GCSD's educational philosophy! But, I hope funding sources are restored in the future. I see no reason why the residents of Guilderland should be paying for increased health insurance premiums for the school district employees. The employees should be paying for increases and there should be a cap on what the district will pay. Thank you for working so hard to make a reasonable budget with the least amount of children affected. We need lower taxes. Get the unions out of education. As a state, NY is failing and heading for bankruptcy. This cannot continue at this level of spending and taxes. The school budget is over 75% dedicated to payroll and benefits. The truth is that the children come last, not first, with our educators. This is shameful. We need lower taxes, remove the unions! My wife and I have grandchildren in the District. We think the schools and children need support. Cuts will hurt them. We cannot continue to raise taxes year after year. Disappointed with allocation. Need more for students! Not staff. However, I understand the insurance crisis. Fire at least half the teachers. Education is the future! This budget was too low. You are eliminating too many positions and programs. The next budget should be much higher - going above the state imposed cap is necessary. Too much money is being spent for District Administrators, and not enough for teachers. We can't support these increases each year. Some unnecessary costs must be reduced even though people complain. Sports and music should be voluntary and pay as you go. Attention to academics should come first. This is a sad opinion to have, but when benefits to teachers and retirees rise 15% per year, what choice do we have? I'm deeply troubled by the policy of cutting funding for education. I think the tax cap was and is a terrible idea, especially when combined with reduced state aid. Investment in education is crucial to the future.... keep up the good work! Hooray for Democracy! Please generously fund your district school libraries. School libraries require much more than the meager $6.25 per student that the state provides school. Ensure that all students in every school has access to a full time certified library media specialist and a library that is staffed and open to students Monday thru Friday all day. The town of Guilderland has one strong main branch public library, but does not service all of the communities of the town due to its location.
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Students who cannot easily get to this library desperately need strong school libraries if they are going to attain the 21st century skills that all students need to succeed. Thank you. 78 79 voted no on library. feel library is thing of past. a computer and broadband in every child's home may be more cost effective! VERY IMPORTANT to support educational services-----so tired of the politization of these votes and way NYS has withdrawn support---what is Prince Andrew's problem w schools????? support music and the arts, they are not optional! I just want to make sure that the emotional needs of the students are being attended. The district cut the social worker's last year, and with the increasing emotional needs of special kids or with kids being exposed to television or gaming products kids need more guidance in interacting with each other. Also, my fourth grader has 5-15 minutes of recess a day. Where are the kids going to have unstructured time with each other to practice good social behaviors? Kids need time to unwind, stretch their legs, get the sun, use their eye sights, so many things. Yes, academics are important, but we need to address the whole child, not only test scores or grades. The district needs to move towards performance based budgeting, making a reasonable connection among learning goals, teaching methods, actual achievement and categorical spending. And this should be done in an open, fair and substantive way with the public. Thank you! Please maintain visual arts education. One area that really needs to be looked at is administration. Often teaching staff is cut while the number of administrators stays the same or increases. We need people who are in direct contact with students, not people sitting in an office. Things in this country are changing. Money is no longer "free". Everyone needs to tighten the belt and make things happen as if they were workers for the local unions. And in the nicest possible way - have a great year. i do not believe we should continue to support a library with tax money Your job is not easy-thank you for your investment in our children and youth. My oldest child never scored "low" enough to receive math help throughout her schooling at Guilderland. We were forced to pay privately for tutors to get her through math courses from elementary, middle and high school. She also was not guided properly by the guidance department to help choose an appropriate college based on her needs. Thankfully my youngest child is not as "needy" as my older child but still feel that unless you are "exceptional" as a student or "troubled" as a student the kids in the middle are sometimes lost and their needs are not being addressed. I am thankful that both of my children will be out of the school district. May 21, 2013 7:17 PM May 21, 2013 7:08 PM
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We need to start cutting the real fat from the budget; administration. No administartor should ever be paid more than a teacher and no superintendent should ever be paid triple what a teacher makes. We should force an immediate 20-40 percent cut across the board on all administrator salaries and then further cut at least 5 administrators before we cut anymore teachers. This is a school district, not a corporation. Also, shared decision making should be fully reimplemented and the nonsense sessions that the district conducts to gauge public opinion should be binding, not PR fluff. thank you guilderland, great job with our kids! We need to do whatever it takes as a community to continue to fight to restore funding to public education. RTTT unfunded mandates need to be gone, as well as, the GEA. We must come together as a community to do better for our students. While I do support education I do NOT support the amount of time and money being WASTED on excessive testing. Both my children graduated with honors from Guilderland, went to good universities and earned masters degrees in their fields. All this success without the constant testing that children are going through now. It is WRONG and wasteful spending. I want my money going to children and not testing! thank you. We have not been pleased with FMS. Neither of my children enjoy going to that school. I voted for the budget because it would be worse for them if I didn't. FMS should be more focused on the students and less on the adults that work there. It is not a school that is supportive of a parent's involvement, in fact, the parent is made to feel like a pariah. Moreover, there should be more than one spot for tech valley and that process should be transparent. Why is it so secretive and why can't my child go there when any one is able to go to the technical part of boces? I don't know that I will support the budget after my kids are out because their experience at the middle school has been so negative. Hopefully, the high school will be better but there seems to be a culture of bullying that comes from administration, so I am not sure it will be better. Altamont Elementary is a great school with a great administrator.
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Cross-Tabulation:
Budget approval rates for each answer choice
Based on respondents answers to each question, what percentage voted yes and what percentage voted no?
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How did you vote on the proposed 2013-14 budget today?

At which elementary school are you voting today?
Altamont Elementary School 79.1% (72) 20.9% (19) 91
Guilderland Elementary School 70.8% (102) 29.2% (42) 144
Lynnwood Elementary School 73.3% (33) 26.7% (12) 45
Pine Bush Elementary School 73.6% (78) 26.4% (28) 106
Westmere Elementary School 77.8% (147) 22.2% (42) 189
Response Totals
Yes, in favor
75.1% (432) 24.9% (143) 575 12
No, opposed
answered question
skipped question

In which town do you live?
Guilderland
Bethlehem
Knox
New Scotland 55.6% (5) 44.4% (4) 9
Response Totals 75.2% (431) 24.8% (142) 573 12
Yes, in favor
74.7% (383) 25.3% (130) 513
87.2% (41) 12.8% (6) 47
50.0% (2) 50.0% (2) 4
No, opposed
answered question
skipped question
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How many years have you been a district resident?
0-10
11-20
20+
Response Totals 75.3% (431) 24.7% (141) 572 11
Yes, in favor
82.8% (106) 17.2% (22) 128
79.0% (128) 21.0% (34) 162
69.9% (197) 30.1% (85) 282 skipped question
No, opposed
answered question

Are you an employee of the school district?
Yes
No
Response Totals 75.3% (431) 24.7% (141) 572 11
Yes, in favor
92.7% (38) 7.3% (3) 41
No, opposed
answered question
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Do you currently have children attending Guilderland Schools?
Yes, I have children currently attending Guilderland 83.6% (183) 16.4% (36) 219
No, I do not have children currently attending Guilderland 70.3% (248) 29.7% (105) 353 skipped question
Response Totals
Yes, in favor
75.3% (431) 24.7% (141) 572 11
No, opposed
answered question

If yes, what level(s) of school do they attend?
Grades K-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Response Totals 84.2% (181) 15.8% (34) 215 2
Yes, in favor
85.7% (108) 14.3% (18) 126
86.5% (64) 13.5% (10) 74
No, opposed
answered question
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If no, did your children ever attend Guilderland Schools?
Yes, my children attended Guilderland schools in the past. 73.4% (105) 26.6% (38) 143
No, my children have never attended Guilderland schools. 68.5% (37) 31.5% (17) 54 skipped question
Response Totals
Yes, in favor
72.1% (142) 27.9% (55) 197 2
No, opposed
answered question

If no, will your children attend Guilderland Schools when they are older?
Yes, my children will attend Guilderland schools in the future. 92.9% (13) 7.1% (1) 14
No, my children will not attend Guilderland schools in the future. 55.6% (30) 44.4% (24) 54 skipped question
Response Totals
Yes, in favor
63.2% (43) 36.8% (25) 68 0
No, opposed
answered question
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What age category pertains to you?
18-30
31-50
51-64
65+
Response Totals 75.7% (429) 24.3% (138) 567 10
Yes, in favor
95.0% (19) 5.0% (1) 20
80.4% (160) 19.6% (39) 199
74.9% (146) 25.1% (49) 195
68.0% (104) 32.0% (49) 153
No, opposed
answered question
skipped question

Do you feel that you had adequate information about the proposed budget?
Yes
No
Response Totals 75.1% (408) 24.9% (135) 543 9
Yes, in favor
79.7% (381) 20.3% (97) 478
No, opposed
answered question
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Where did you get information about the 2013-14 proposed budget? (Check all that apply)
District newsletters
School newsletters
District Web site 87.9% (123) 12.1% (17) 140
District Facebook page 92.9% (13) 7.1% (1) 14
District Twitter page 100.0% (2) 0.0% (0) 2
Response Totals
Yes, in favor
77.6% (298) 22.4% (86) 384
76.5% (101) 23.5% (31) 132
77.5% (341) 22.5% (99) 440 4
No, opposed
answered question
skipped question

School News Notifier (SNN) 90.1% (100) 9.9% (11) 111
Board of Education meetings
Public budget meetings
Cable Channel 16/18
District staff members
Response Totals
Yes, in favor
84.2% (64) 15.8% (12) 76
77.5% (31) 22.5% (9) 40
66.7% (28) 33.3% (14) 42
91.4% (53) 8.6% (5) 58
85.5% (177) 14.5% (30) 207 3
No, opposed
answered question
skipped question
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PTA meetings
Friends/neighbors
Local newspapers
Other (please specify) 73.9% (17) 26.1% (6) 23
Response Totals
Yes, in favor
95.2% (20) 4.8% (1) 21
78.0% (46) 22.0% (13) 59
77.4% (127) 22.6% (37) 164
77.1% (175) 22.9% (52) 227 2
No, opposed
answered question
skipped question

How did you vote on the bus and equipment proposition?
Yes on proposition
No on proposition
Response Totals 75.6% (424) 24.4% (137) 561 2
Yes, in favor
95.6% (387) 4.4% (18) 405
No, opposed
answered question
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Knowing that the education funding crisis is likely to continue, would you be willing to support a budget that exceeds the district's tax levy limit if it meant fewer cuts to programs and services for students?
Yes
No
Unsure
Response Totals 75.3% (423) 24.7% (139) 562 6
Yes, in favor
96.6% (283) 3.4% (10) 293
28.9% (44) 71.1% (108) 152
No, opposed
answered question

How have you typically voted on the school budget in the past?
I typically vote yes. 88.0% (410) 12.0% (56) 466
I typically vote no. 6.8% (5) 93.2% (69) 74
I have not voted in the past. 68.2% (15) 31.8% (7) 22 skipped question
Response Totals 76.5% (430) 23.5% (132) 562 3
Yes, in favor
No, opposed
answered question
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Cross-Tabulation:
Bus and equipment proposition approval rates for select answer choices
Based on respondents answers to select questions, what percentage voted yes and what percentage voted no on the bus and equipment proposition?
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0-10
11-20
20+
Response Totals 72.0% (404) 28.0% (157) 561 22
Yes on proposition
80.5% (103) 19.5% (25) 128
76.4% (123) 23.6% (38) 161
No on proposition
answered question

18-30
31-50
51-64
65+
Response Totals 72.3% (402) 27.7% (154) 556 21
Yes on proposition
95.0% (19) 5.0% (1) 20
80.2% (158) 19.8% (39) 197
69.8% (134) 30.2% (58) 192
61.9% (91) 38.1% (56) 147
No on proposition
answered question
skipped question
46

Yes, I have children currently attending Guilderland 83.9% (182) 16.1% (35) 217
No, I do not have children currently attending Guilderland 64.5% (222) 35.5% (122) 344 skipped question
Response Totals
Yes on proposition
72.0% (404) 28.0% (157) 561 22
No on proposition
answered question
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Cross-Tabulation:
How respondents voted (yes/no) cross-tabulated with each question
Of those who voted yes or no, what percentage fell into each voter category?
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At which elementary school are you voting today?

How did you vote on the proposed 2013-14 budget today? Response Totals 15.8% (91) 25.0% (144) 7.8% (45) 18.4% (106) 32.9% (189) 575 0
Yes, in favor 16.7% (72) 23.6% (102) 7.6% (33) 18.1% (78) 34.0% (147) 432
No, opposed 13.3% (19) 29.4% (42) 8.4% (12) 19.6% (28) 29.4% (42) 143 skipped question
Altamont Elementary School
Guilderland Elementary School
Lynnwood Elementary School
Pine Bush Elementary School
Westmere Elementary School
answered question
49
In which town do you live?

How did you vote on the proposed 2013-14 budget today? Response Totals 89.5% (513) 8.2% (47) 0.7% (4) 1.6% (9) 573 2
Yes, in favor 88.9% (383) 9.5% (41) 0.5% (2) 1.2% (5) 431
No, opposed 91.5% (130) 4.2% (6) 1.4% (2) 2.8% (4) 142 skipped question
Guilderland
Bethlehem
Knox
New Scotland
answered question

How did you vote on the proposed 2013-14 budget today? Response Totals 22.4% (128) 28.3% (162) 49.3% (282) 572 3
Yes, in favor 24.6% (106) 29.7% (128) 45.7% (197) 431
No, opposed 15.6% (22) 24.1% (34) 60.3% (85) 141 skipped question
0-10
11-20
20+
answered question
50
Are you an employee of the school district?

How did you vote on the proposed 2013-14 budget today? Response Totals 7.2% (41) 92.8% (531) 572 3
Yes, in favor 8.8% (38) 91.2% (393) 431
No, opposed 2.1% (3) 97.9% (138) 141 skipped question
Yes
No
answered question

Yes, in favor 42.5% (183) 57.5% (248) 431
Yes, I have children currently attending Guilderland
No, I do not have children currently attending Guilderland answered question
51
If yes, what level(s) of school do they attend?

Yes, in favor 59.7% (108) 35.4% (64) 42.0% (76) 181
Grades K-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
answered question
If no, did your children ever attend Guilderland Schools?

Yes, in favor Yes, my children attended Guilderland schools in the past. No, my children have never attended Guilderland schools. answered question 73.9% (105) 26.1% (37) 142
52
If no, will your children attend Guilderland Schools when they are older?
Yes, in favor Yes, my children will attend Guilderland schools in the future. No, my children will not attend Guilderland schools in the future. answered question 30.2% (13) 69.8% (30) 43

How did you vote on the proposed 2013-14 budget today? Response Totals 3.5% (20) 35.1% (199) 34.4% (195) 27.0% (153) 567 8
Yes, in favor 4.4% (19) 37.3% (160) 34.0% (146) 24.2% (104) 429
No, opposed 0.7% (1) 28.3% (39) 35.5% (49) 35.5% (49) 138 skipped question
18-30
31-50
51-64
65+
answered question
53
Do you feel that you had adequate information about the proposed budget?
Yes, in favor 93.4% (381) 6.6% (27) 408
Yes
No
answered question
54
How did you vote on the proposed 2013-14 budget today? Response Totals 74.4% (384) 25.6% (132) 27.1% (140) 2.7% (14) 0.4% (2) 21.5% (111) 14.7% (76) 7.8% (40) 8.1% (42) 4.1% (21) 11.2% (58) 11.4% (59) 31.8% (164)
Yes, in favor 76.0% (298) 25.8% (101) 31.4% (123) 3.3% (13) 0.5% (2) 25.5% (100) 16.3% (64) 7.9% (31) 7.1% (28) 5.1% (20) 13.5% (53) 11.7% (46) 32.4% (127)
No, opposed 69.4% (86) 25.0% (31) 13.7% (17) 0.8% (1) 0.0% (0) 8.9% (11) 9.7% (12) 7.3% (9) 11.3% (14) 0.8% (1) 4.0% (5) 10.5% (13) 29.8% (37)
District newsletters
School newsletters
District Web site
District Facebook page
District Twitter page
School News Notifier (SNN)
Board of Education meetings
Public budget meetings
Cable Channel 16/18
PTA meetings
District staff members
Friends/neighbors
Local newspapers
55
Other (please specify)
17 replies (4.3%) 392
6 replies (4.8%) 124 skipped question
4.5% (23) 516 59
answered question

Yes, in favor 91.3% (387) 8.7% (37) 424
Yes on proposition
No on proposition
answered question
56
Knowing that the education funding crisis is likely to continue, would you be willing to support a budget that exceeds the district's tax levy limit if it meant fewer cuts to programs and services for students?
Yes, in favor 66.9% (283) 10.4% (44) 22.7% (96) 423
Yes
No
Unsure
answered question
How have you typically voted on the school budget in the past?
Yes, in favor 95.3% (410) 1.2% (5) 3.5% (15) 430
I typically vote yes.
I typically vote no.
I have not voted in the past.
answered question

GCSD 2013 School Budget Vote Exit Survey Report

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GCSD 2013 School Budget Vote Exit Survey Report

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Guilderland

Central School District

2013 School Budget Vote Exit Survey Report

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

Guilderland voter turnout and survey participation

4000 3185 3000 3417

3709 3212 2789

2000 1342 1000 874

0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Voter Turnout Survey completed

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

Who voted in Guilderlands annual budget vote?

AGE DISTRIBUTION OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS: THREE-YEAR TREND

Town and length of residency

25% 75% 36%

65+ 51-64 31-50 18-30

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

Parent and non-parent voters

Typical voting habits

Grades K-5........................54%...............57%...............58% Grades 6-8........................38%...............36%...............35% Grades 9-12.................... 46%...............43%...............42%

District and non-district employees

How did Guilderland residents vote?

BUDGET APPROVAL RATES : FOUR-YEAR HISTORY

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

Budget approval rates among different voter categories

0-10.............................................68%...............82%.............. 83% 11-20..........................................67%...............78%.............. 79% 20+..............................................58%...............70%.............. 70%

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

Approval rate among non-district parents

How do Guilderland voters feel about exceeding the tax cap?

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

Why do voters vote the way they do?

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

Bus and equipment purchase proposition approval rates

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

Who were the yes voters in Guilderland?

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

Who were the no voters in Guilderland?

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

Survey Response Summary:

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

1. At which elementary school are you voting today?

2. In which town do you live?

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

3. How many years have you been a district resident?

4. Are you an employee of the school district?

5. Do you currently have children attending Guilderland Schools?

62.1% answered question skipped question

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

6. If yes, what level(s) of school do they attend?

7. If no, did your children ever attend Guilderland Schools?

answered question skipped question

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

9. What age category pertains to you?

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

Other reason/specific service or program

answered question skipped question

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

May 21, 2013 6:44 PM

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

Other reason/specific service or program

answered question skipped question

2013 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT

Jun 23, 2013 3:03 PM Jun 23, 2013 2:52 PM