Support for School Bonds Ticks Up
Jun 20, 2024 09:41AM ● By Matthew Malone
ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Elk Grove Unified School District might have a “viable path forward” for a bond measure in the November election, district staff said at the Board of Education’s June 11 meeting.
Deputy Superintendent Kristen Coates presented this conclusion while going over the results of an updated opinion poll that surveyed 500 likely voters within the district. Conducted in May by True North Research, the survey is the district’s second after one performed in January.
The board did not take official action during the informational item.
The highest priority among respondents was “improving the quality of education in local public schools,” with 89% considering it “very important” or “extremely important.” Repairing and renovating school facilities scored lower, with 67% giving those ratings.
“All that really tells us is voters don’t care about facilities as much as they care about what’s happening in the facilities,” Coates said.
Other major focuses, with at least 80% support, were reducing crime, improving public safety and maintaining streets.
Coates explained that the district can adjust the bond language and purpose, according to voter preferences. She noted that the district lowered the proposed bond amount from $845 million to $542 million, to reduce the potential burden on taxpayers.
The May survey found slight increases in support from January. Asked their first impression on the measure, 57% of respondents said they would “probably” or “definitely” vote for bonds, 2 percentage points higher than in January.
After hearing educational statements, support rose to 60%, 6 percentage points higher than before. Then, after critical statements, support dropped to 53%, 6 percentage points higher.
An education bond measure needs at least 55% of the vote to pass, and the survey’s margin of error is plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.
Coates said True North “believes a bond is feasible but not without community outreach.”
Superintendent Christopher Hoffman expressed “guarded optimism” about a measure’s chances.
In public comment, former district employee Jennifer Ballerini said the district should prioritize sports stadiums at high school sites.
Trustee Anthony Perez asked about the differences between the proposed bond measure and past bonds, including the district’s Measure M, passed in 2016. Coates said Measure M was intended to bring old facilities up to modern standards.
She noted that a priority of the current proposal is to construct new facilities to ease overcrowding.
“I think ‘guarded optimism’ is a word and a phrase that we will probably continue to use,” board President Gina Jamerson said.
During general public comment, Cosumnes Oaks High School students asked for district support in starting a school chapter of HOSA-Future Health Professionals, formerly known as Health Occupation Students of America.
She said that the organization provides ways for students to explore a future health care career.
They planned to cover many fees through their own fundraising but cited other costs, including attendance and travel to conferences.
Representatives of local performing arts groups voiced frustration with a booking system for the Sheldon High School performing arts center.
Jason Bramham, a manager for the performing arts center, said the system, run by Facilitron, was plagued by delays and uncertainty over date availability.
In other business, the board unanimously passed a resolution encouraging secure firearm storage in homes to ensure on-campus safety.
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