EMC Research, Inc. 436 14th Street, Suite 820 Oakland, CA 94612 (510) 844-0680 EMC #11-4450...

EMC Research, Inc.436 14th Street, Suite 820Oakland, CA 94612(510) 844-0680EMC #11-4450

Telephone Survey of Larkspur School District Likely Voters Presentation of survey findings

Prepared for

Larkspur School District

May 2011

2

Methodology

Telephone Survey of Larkspur School District Voters

401completed interviews

Overall Margin of error ±4.9%

Conducted May 13 - May 20, 2011

Interviews conducted by trained,

professional interviewers

As with any opinion research, the release of selected figures from this report without the analysis that explains their meaning would be damaging to EMC. Therefore, EMC reserves the right to correct any misleading release of this data in any medium through the release of correct data or analysis.

Please note that due to rounding, percentages may not add up to exactly 100%

Larkspur School District - May 2011 EMC 11-4450

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Key Findings

Voters in the Larkspur School District are supportive of a bond measure

Voters understand the need for additional funding for capital improvements and infrastructure. Important projects include:

Relieving overcrowding at Neil Cummins and Hall Middle School Upgrading fire and seismic safety Ensuring schools meet accessibility codes for students with

disabilities Repairing/replacing old electrical and plumbing systems

Larkspur School District is highly regarded and well thought of; particularly the overall quality of education and teachers.

Voters support establishing an independent citizen oversight committee to ensure funds are being spent on projects specified in the voter approved measure.


Issue Environment

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Education/schools is the top issue in the community.

What do you think is the most important problem facing your area today? (Open ended - ONE RESPONSE) (Q4)

Response %

Education/Schools 24Economy 14Budget 13Jobs 8Housing 4Taxes 4Traffic 4Environment 4Transportation 3Growth/population 2Government/Politics 2Healthcare 2Other 4No/None/Nothing 3Don't Know 10Refuse 1

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Local school districts have a strong positive rating.

I'm going to read you a list of names and organizations. For each one, please tell me if you have a strongly favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or strongly unfavorable opinion of the person or organization. If you have not heard of the name or

organization, just say so and we will move on. (Q6 & Q7)

7


Nearly all parents of children currently enrolled in Larkspur SD schools give the District a positive rating.

(Among parents)

I'm going to read you a list of names and organizations. For each one, please tell me if you have a strongly favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or strongly unfavorable opinion of the person or organization. If you have not heard of the name or

organization, just say so and we will move on. (Q6 & Q7)

(n=87)

Larkspur School District

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Regardless of whether or not you have children currently in school, using a scale of excellent, good, only fair, or poor, please rate the following areas relating to the

Larkspur School District, which is responsible for only elementary and middle schools in your area (Q7-14)

The district is doing a good job educating students.

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Regardless of whether or not you have children currently in school, using a scale of excellent, good, only fair, or poor, please rate the following areas relating to the

Larkspur School District, which is responsible for only elementary and middle schools in your area (Q7-14)

Parents also give high marks to teachers and the overall quality of education. However, there is concern over the condition of buildings,

classrooms, libraries and play areas. (Among parents)

(n=87)

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Overall, voters believe there is at least some need for additional funding. Among parents, a majority believe there is

a great need for additional funding.

Would you say that the elementary and middle schools of the Larkspur School District have a great need for more money, some need, a little need or no real need for more

money? (Q15)

Bond Measure

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Initial support for a bond measure is 62%.

Bond Measure:To provide adequate learning

space for children and teachers by building new classrooms in the

Larkspur School District and upgrading and modernizing

existing facilities by making them safe against fire and earthquakes; improving access for the disabled;

and repairing or replacing antiquated heating and ventilation systems, electrical and technology infrastructure, shall the Larkspur School District be authorized to

issue twenty-five million dollars in bonds and establish a Citizen’s

Oversight Committee to ensure all expenditures are made according

to the plan?

14


Parents with children enrolled in LSD

No children currently enrolled 18-49 50+ <50 Dem <50 Rep

<50 DTS/ Oth. 50+ Dem 50+ Rep

50+ DTS/ Oth.

Corte Madera Larkspur

The highest level of support comes from younger voters, voters with children enrolled in LSD, and younger registered

Democrats.

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Male Female

Less likely voters: 0-3 / 6

Likely voters: 4-5 / 6

Perfect voters: 6 / 6

Perm Absentee Voter

Not Perm Absentee Dem Rep DTS/Other

Supports is strong among permanent absentee voters, Democrats. Support is lower among perfect voters.

16


Employed Retired Other White Other

Some college or less

College grad

Graduate/Professional

Own / buying

Rent / Other

Higher-educated voters have a higher level of support.

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The measure contains several different components. I’d like to read you some of the major projects, as there might be some you support and some you oppose. For each

one, please tell me if you would vote “Yes” to approve or “No” to reject a measure that contained that component (Q17-26)

Top features of the measure include accessibility for students with disabilities, fire and seismic safety improvements, establishing a citizens oversight committee and repairing/replacing old plumbing and electrical systems.

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Replacing administrative offices is the lowest-rated feature.

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Overall, a majority of voter support building a new school at San Clemente. Support increases to over 60% among parents and those

that understand the need for additional classrooms.

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Voters are more likely to support the measure to relieve overcrowding, provide funding that cannot be taken away by the state, and establish

a citizens oversight committee.

Now I’d like to read you some things people have said about the measure. First, I’ll read you some things supporters of the measure have said. For each statement, please tell me if that would make you much more likely, somewhat more likely, somewhat less likely, or much less

likely to support the measure, or does it make no difference. (Q28-40)

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Features that garner lower levels of support include recreation space, continuation of modernization work, and concerns over grade level

configuration.

Now I’d like to read you some things people have said about the measure. First, I’ll read you some things supporters of the measure have said. For each statement, please tell me if that would make you much more likely, somewhat more likely, somewhat less likely, or much less

likely to support the measure, or does it make no difference. (Q28-40)

22


Support increases to 68% after hearing specific features of the measure.

Bond Measure:To provide adequate learning space for

children and teachers by building new classrooms in the Larkspur School District and upgrading

and modernizing existing facilities by making them safe against fire and

earthquakes; improving access for the disabled;

and repairing or replacing antiquated

heating and ventilation systems, electrical and

technology infrastructure, shall the Larkspur School District be authorized to issue

twenty-five million dollars in bonds and establish a Citizen’s

Oversight Committee to ensure all expenditures are made according to

the plan?

23


The top concerns among voters is the increase to their taxes.

Now I’d like to read you some things opponents of the measure have said. For each statement, please tell me if that would make you much more likely, somewhat more likely,

somewhat less likely, or much less likely to support the measure, or if it makes no difference. (Q42-47)

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Support remains above 55% after hearing messages against the measure.

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Conclusions / Next Steps

The Larkspur School District is viewed very favorably. Teachers in particular are seen as doing an excellent job. Parents strongly support the measure and its goals. Teacher and parent support will be critical to the measure’s success .

Relieving overcrowding is an important issue. The more voters understand, the more they support the measure.

Sufficient support for a bond measure exists Given additional information, support increases and opposition decreases.

More public information needed about plans for San Clemente About half of voters support a new school at San Clemente. Support is much higher among those that are “in-the-know” such as parents

and those that are aware of the need for additional classrooms and the current overcrowding issue.


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