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District Wide Survey Results Now Available

Strong response from residents garners more than 960 completed surveys

By Becky LaDue
Staff Writer, The Winneconne News
 

The Winneconne Community School District Board of Education received the results from a community-wide survey on Monday, Jan. 25. More than 960 residents (representing a return rate of approximately 21%) responded to the survey, which was mailed to all district households in early January and also available online. The survey was designed and administered by School Perceptions LLC, an independent research firm from Slinger, Wisconsin that specializes in gathering and analyzing public perceptions regarding schools.

School officials conducted the survey to gather feedback on potential operating and facilities referenda. A $1.37 million operating deficit is projected due to state-imposed revenue limits, higher expenses and the expiration of an $880,000 referendum passed two years ago. The district is also facing facility needs, most notably, the need to replace the heating and ventilation system at Winneconne Elementary School. The survey findings will now help the Board develop solutions that will be brought to voters in an April referendum.

Highlights of the survey include the following:

• 90% of parents and 69% of non-parents indicate they are satisfied or very satisfied with Winneconne Schools;
• 91% of parents and 83% of non-parents believe Winneconne Community School District does a good job preparing students to be successful;
• 76% of parents and 47% of non-parents do not feel the district should increase elementary class sizes as a way to save money;
• 83% of parents and 80% of non-parents feel the district should increase participation fees for student athletics and activities;
• 57% of parents and 58% of non-parents felt the Board should close Winchester School as a way to reduce operating costs;

When asked to provide the Board with specific direction regarding how to best fill the projected $1.37M budget gap, the combined results for parents and non-parents indicated majority support (52%) for a $1.125M operating referendum, with even higher results (69%) for a replacement referendum of $880,000. On the topic of immediate facilities needs, residents indicated replacing the main water supply and the existing original steam boilers at Winneconne Elementary School was a high priority and that it is absolutely critical or important to maximize all funding opportunities to reduce the cost to taxpayers.
“These are difficult times for everyone, which makes the budget reduction process even more challenging than normal,” commented Bill Foster, President of School Perceptions. “It’s critical that the Board trusts the survey data and takes the feedback provided by your community seriously. Clearly, making any budget cut is difficult and unpopular. But given the current state of school funding and the economy, making additional cuts and hard decisions is inevitable.”
The Board of Education will be discussing the survey findings and finalizing plans to present a referendum or referenda to voters within the next two weeks. The complete survey results are available on the district website at www.winneconne.k12.wi.us.

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Last Modified: Thursday, September 24, 2009
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