Page 1

1 st draft 3/25/08

Job #08-2552

VANDALIA-BUTLER SCHOOLS BOND ISSUE SURVEY March 2008

1.

In November, there will be an election and we will be voting for President as well as on several important issues. What do you think are the chances of your voting in November? Are you certain to vote, are you probably going to vote, are the chances 50-50, or don't you think you will vote?

Certain

(Continue)

2

Probably

3

9

Not Sure

(Terminate Interview Do Not Count

Toward Quota)

50-50

4

Won't Vote

2. Overall how would you rate the quality of education in the Excellent
Vandalia-Butler Schools? Would you say it is excellent, good, 2 Good
only fair or poor? 3 Only Fair
4 Poor
9 Not Sure
3. Would you say that the quality of education in the Vandalia- A lot better
Butler Schools is a lot better, a little better, a little worse or a 2 A little better
lot worse than it was a few years ago? 3 A little worse
4 A lot worse
5 About the same (Vol.)
9 Not Sure
4. How well informed would you say you are about the Vandalia- Very Informed
Butler City Schools? Would you say you are very well 2 Somewhat Informed
informed, somewhat well informed, not very well informed or 3 Not Very Informed
not well informed at all about the Vandalia-Butler Schools?
4 Not Informed At All
9 Don't Know
5. Thinking about the condition of the Vandalia-Butler City school Good Condition
buildings you are familiar with, would you say that they are in 2 Minor Repair
good condition, they are in need of minor repairs and 3 Major Repair
improvements, they are in need of major repairs and
improvements or they need to be replaced? 4 Need Replaced
5 Some of Each (Vol.)
9 Don't Know
I ii, And specifically, how would you rate the condition of Morton Good Condition -( Deleted: 5
Middle School? Would you say it is in good condition, in need 2 Minor Repair
of minor repairs and improvements, in need of major repairs 3 Major Repair
and improvements or needs to be replaced? 4 Need Replaced
9 Don't Know Wereyouaware that because of its age,_.po()f condition,and cost of maintaining, an independent citizens committee has been studying options to replace Morton Middle School?

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1

Yes No

Not Sure

2 9

I'd like to read you a couple of different options the committee has recommended to the schools to replace Morton Middle School. (Rotate Q7 and 08)

,ii, Onel Another option is to build a newmiddle school to replace Morton either at a different location or at the same location as Smith Middle School. Do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose building a new middle school to replace Morton Middle School?

I g. On~1 Anotheroption is to guild anew highschool and convert the existing high school into a middle school for both Morton and Smith middle schools. Do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose building a new high school and moving both middle schools into the high school?

I jQ. V'l/hatif you knew that if both middle §choois.were moved to the high school, the building would be renovated so that there would be a separate wing for 5111 and 6th grade students and one for ih and 8111 grade students. Does knowing that make you more likely or less likely to favor using the existing high school to replace both middle schools or doesn't it make any difference to you?

Strongly Favor
2 Somewhat Favor
3 Somewhat Oppose
4 Strongly Oppose
9 Not Sure
Strongly Favor
2 Somewhat Favor
3 Somewhat Oppose
4 Strongly Oppose
9 Not Sure
More Likely
2 Less Likely
3 No Difference
9 Not Sure Insert: In this scenario (above) Would you favor redistricting Smith Middle School to eliminate the modular's at Smith and minimize the renovations needed to combine both middle schools at the high school?

Consider Removing

The schools are considering buildinga new high school because many experts think it is important that a district's high school should have the most up-to-date technology and teaching facilities. Does knowing that make you more likely or less likely to favor using the existing high school to replace both middle schools or doesn't it make any difference to you?

12,.

If the schools were to build a newmiddle schoolto replaceMorton Middle School, where do you think it should be built --pnth~ same site at Smith Middle School or at a different location, or doesn't it make any difference to you?

.. ( Deleted: 6

-( Deleted: and

- -( Deleted: 7

c( Deleted: 8

- -( Deleted: 9

More Likely c -( Deleted: 0
2 Less Likely
3 No Difference
9 Not Sure
1 Same location as now c -{ Deleted: 1
2 Smith MS location Deleted: at the same location where
3 Different location itis now,
4 No Difference
9 Not Sure 2 3 9 { Deleted: c.
/
I Deleted: It would cost more to
r , renovate Morton Middle School than it
I I
/ I would to build a new middle school.
I I { Deleted: d
2 3 9 / /
I
I /
I '/ Deleted: By combining the two middle
/ " schools, the district can offer more
/ / courses, more extracurricular activities
2 3 9 / I and operate more efficiently while
//
I bringing the students together at an
_/ earlier age.
2 3 9 .( Deleted: e Now I'd llke to read yousome reasons in favor of building a new high school or middlescbooL Please tell me if you think each one is a very good reason, just a good reason or not a very good reason for supporting the bond issue. (Read item, Rotate Start) Do you personally think that is a very good reason, just a good reason or not a very good reason for supporting the bond issue? (Repeat Choices As Needed)

Very Good

Just Not Not

Good Good Sure

Morton Middle School is~ears old and is experiencing major structural deterioration,flnd is not cost effectivetomaintain as a learning environment.

Education and technology has changed since the current middle and high schools were built and Vandalia-Butler needs to renovate the schools to bring them up-to-date.

Q" By combining thetwo middle schools, the district can offer _ more courses, more extracurricular activities and operate more efficiently while bringing the students together at an earlier age~

<1,.. With interest rates low, now is a good time for the district to build a new school so we get more for our money»

2

3

a.

b.

f." _ Having a better learning environment that includesnew educational equipment, up-to-date science labs and technology will better prepare our stUdents for college and the changing workforce.,

i, Due to overcrowding the district is already using trailers at Smith Middle School. The district needs to eliminate the use of the modular units •.

.9.". Having new and renovated buildings will be a source of pride for Vandalia-Butler and keep it a desirable place to live,

2

3

2

3

Good schools attract business and help maintain home values~

2 3

Do you think that replacing Morton Middle School would make a big improvement in the quality of education, a little improvement in the quality of education or no improvement in the quality of education?

2 3 9

Big improvement Little improvement No improvement Not Sure

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{ Deleted: 2

l Formatted Table

.{ Deleted:

9

, :{ Deleted: 81

Deleted: that could threaten the safety of the students if we don't take action soon.

9

Deleted: With interest rates low, now
is a good time for the district to build a
new school so we get more for our
money.
- Deleted: f.
Deleted: Having a better leaming
environment that includes new
educational equipment, up-to-date
science labs and technology will better
prepare our students for college and
the changing workforce. 9

9

', -. 'i Deleted: g.

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" \~\ Deleted: The district is already using

~ \ \ trailers at Smith Middle School since it

~\ \ \ has more students that it has room for.

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" \,11, \ Vandalia-Butler and keep it a desirable \ 11111\ place to live.

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Now, I'd like to read you. some statements ab()utthe schools and a possible bond issue to replace Morton Middle School. Please tell me if you strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree with each of the following statements. The first one is ... (Read Statement, Repeat Choices as Needed) Do you strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree with that? (Rotate Start)

Strongly Strongly Don't

Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Know

Jam inclinedtovotefor a bond issue 1 2 3 4 9

replace Morton Middle School,

a.

J believe what the Facility Committee, school 2 3 4 9
leaders and staff tell me about the schools.
I know the Vandalia-Butler Schools are doing 1 ; ~. 5. E1,.
""
a good iob using the tax money they receive~
I believe it makes good financial sense to 1. ; ~. 1- g,
discontinue the high maintenance of Morton
and invest in a new building~ b.

1 §,. . ,of the follovving_list of possiblespokespeople, which two would youlely on most forinformatioo"Z (Read slowly, Rotate start) members of the School Board, the Superintendent, teachers and other staff, members of the Facility Committee, parents who have children in the schools, city or township officials, local business leaders or someone else?

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11

Now I have a few questions for classification purposes only.

1].. Intowhich of the followingagegroupsdoyou fall? Are you ..... (Read responses 1 through 4)?

~ .. Do you have any school~aged children livingathomewithyou?

Do you have any children attending the Vandalia-Butler City

Schools this year? - . ..

2Q,... Do you haveanychildren attending private mparochial schoois this year?

01 School Board members
62 Superintendent
03 Teachers & other staff
04 Parents
05 Facility Committee members
06 City officials
07 Township trustees
08 Local business leaders
09 None (VoL)
10 Other (specify)
11 Not Sure 2 3 4 9

1 8 to 34 years 35 to 49 years 50 to 64 years 65 and over Refused

2 9

YesJGoto 021)

No (Skip to 023) Refused (Skip to Q23)

2 9

Yes

No Refused

2 9

Yes

No Refused

.j Deleted: 7

~ __ T_a_bl_e ~

-[ Deleted: I'd like

Deleted: , but I can't afford the extra money.

Deleted: You can believe what the School Board and Administration tell l you about the schools.

'., - .[ Deleted: c.

111\\" (

.. I II' '.' Deleted: 1 \ 1111;

~ ,I" i Deleted: 2

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\ ~::~\\ Delete~: 10 dollars a ':l0nttl more ~or

,1111" a new high school or middle school IS

\ IIIII \ too much money.

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UIII

"," Deleted: The Vandalia-Butler Schools "," do a good job using the tax money they

IIIII .

\11 \l receive.

111\(

,II, Deleted: 8

II'

," Deleted: A number of people or

II' groups may speak out about the school \11 bond issue.

'iI)============<

, iI( Deleted: find to be

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', ( Deleted: ~believable?

l Deleted: 9

{ Deleted: 20

{ Deleted: 21

( Deleted: 2

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Yes
2 No
9 Don't Know/Refused
Yes
2 No
9 Refused
5 years or less
2 6 to 10 years
3 10 to 20 years
4 More than 20 years
9 Not Sure/Refused
Male
2 Female 21,. Do you have any grandchildren or other relativesattendingthe Vandalia-Butler Schools this year?

22,.. Do you or anyone inyour household work for the VandaliaButler City School District?

2;a" How many years haveyoulivedifl theVandalia~Butler School District? (Read response 1 through 4)

(By observation) Was the respondent male or female?

And, may I have your first name? (If asked, say so that my supervisor can ask for you if he/she needs to call to verify my work.)

This is the end of our survey. Thank you very much for your time.

(INTERVIEWER FILL OUT AFTER CALL HAS BEEN COMPLETED) How many minutes did the interview take to complete?

Today's Date: Time Started:___ Time Completed: lnterviewer's Initials: _

City: Ward: _

6 7

6 7

6 7

6 7

Respondent's Phone Number:
Voter History 2004 0 2 3 4 5
2005 0 2 3 4 5
2006 0 2 3 4 5
2007 0 2 3 4 5 1 Deleted: 7