Guilderland CSD 2014 School Budget Vote Exit Survey Report

8/12/2019 Guilderland CSD 2014 School Budget Vote Exit Survey Report

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PRODUCED IN COOPERATION WITH THE CAPITAL REGION BOCES COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE, JUNE 2014

GuilderlandCentral School District

2014 School Budget Vote

Exit Survey Report


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31853417

39673709

3212

2789 2637

874 813

1342

1050 925

587694

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Voter Turnout Survey completed

Introduction

The Guilderland Central School District conducted an exit survey

during its Annual School Budget Vote on May 20, 2014. 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 ill 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 McGeady.

Please note: Percentages, where provided, are out of the number of survey participantswho 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 2014, 2,637 residents voted on Guilderlands school budget. This voter

turnout continued a downward trend since 2010 and was 5% lower than in

2013. [See chart below.]

Of the 2,637 residents who voted, 694 chose to ill out an exit survey, aresponse rate of 26%. This response rate is 5 percentage points higher than last

years. [See chart below.] Of the 694 completed surveys, 208or 30%were

completed online, more than triple the percentage from two years ago.

(21%)(29%)(28%)(34%)(24%)(27%)

VOTER TURNOUT AND SURVEY RESPONSE RATE: HISTORICAL TRENDS

In 2014, 26% of

voters filled out

an exit survey, a

higher response

rate than last year.

(26%)

2014 GUILDERLAND BUDGET VOTE EXIT SURVEY REPORT 2


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5% 4% 4%

33% 35% 32%

35% 34% 36%

28% 27% 28%

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

2012 2013 2014

65+

51-64

31-50

18-30

Polling locations

Based on exit survey participation, Altamont Elementary School was the most

popular polling site with 27% of survey participants voting there, compared to

16% in 2013. Westmere Elementary School, which was the most popular polling

site for four years in a row among survey participants, had 20% of participants

in 2014 less than half its percentage in 2012 (47%). Survey participation

was more evenly distributed among polling sites than in years past, from a low

of 14% at Lynwood to a high of 27% at Altamont; in 2012, the low was 7% at

Pinebush and the high was 47% at Westmere.

Who voted in Guilderlands annual budget vote?Voters by age group

The chart at right classiies voters by age group, as indicated by exit survey data.

The distribution is similar to that of the past two years, with 64% saying they

are at least 51 years old.

Town and length of residency

Town of Guilderland residents remain the

majority of voters participating in the exit survey,

at 91% of respondents. Bethlehem residents

constituted 7%, while Knox and New Scotlandresidents were a combined 2% of survey

respondents.

Once again, more than half (52%) of the survey

respondents said they have been district

residents for at least 20 years, while 26% said

11-20 years and 22% said theyve been residents

for 10 years or less. The distribution has been

similar over the past ive years.

AGE DISTRIBUTION OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS: THREE-YEAR TREND

SURVEY RESPONDENTS BY POLLING LOCATION: THREE-YEAR TREND

13%18% 15%

7%

47%

16%

26%

8%

18%

33%27%

22%14% 18%

20%

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Altamont Guilderland Lynwood Pinebush Westmere

2012 2013 2014



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55% 56%

70%

64%

66%

59% 63%

75% 75% 78%

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Actual Approval Rate Survey Approval Rate

Parent and non-parent voters

As has been the case since 2009, people withoutchildren currently attending

Guilderland schools are the majority of survey participants. In 2014, they

represented 63% of respondents.

Of these respondents, 66% said one or more child had attended Guilderlandin the past, down from from 73% in 2013, and 25% indicated one or more

child would attend in the future, up from 21% last year.

Respondents with children currently attending Guilderland schools (37% of

all participants) indicated the following enrollment distribution:

2012 2013 2014

Grades K-5 .......................57% ..............58% ..............57%

Grades 6-8 .......................36% ..............35% ..............32%

Grades 9-12 ....................43% ..............42% ..............47%

This data shows a steady number of survey respondents with children

attending district elementary schools, a slight decrease in respondents with

children attending the middle school, and a moderate increase in respondents

with children attending the high school over the past three years.

Typical voting habits

In 2014, 84% of survey respondents said they typically vote yes on the

budget (compared with 83% last year), while 12% said they typically vote no

(compared with 13% in 2013), and 4% said they have not voted in the past.

District and non-district employees

Of the 678 respondents who answered this question, 91% said they were not an

employee of the Guilderland Central School District, down from 93% in 2013.

How did Guilderland residents vote?

Of those who completed a survey in 2014,

18 participants did not indicate how they

voted on the budget. Of those that did,

525 said they voted yes on the budget,

while 151 said they voted no. This

represents a margin of 78% in favor and

22% opposed.

The actual approval rate of the budget

was 66%a difference of 12 percentage

pointsmeaning that a higher

percentage of yes voters illed out an

exit survey than did no voters.

In 2014, 63% of

survey respondents

said they do not

have children

currently enrolled

at GCSD.

BUDGET APPROVAL RATES : FIVE-YEAR HISTORY



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In our experience, this is not uncommon with school budget vote exit surveys.

In Guilderland, the same trend has been evident since 2008. As was the case in

2013, the margin of difference between the exit suvey and actual approval rates

is greater than in prior years.

Budget approval rates among different voter categories

Budget approval rates among survey respondents were were similar across

all ive polling sites, ranging from 73% at both Westmere and Lynnwood

elementary schools to 83% at Altamont Elementary.

As was the case in each of the last two years, at least three-quarters of survey

respondents living in Guilderland and Bethlehem approved the budget (78%

and 77%, respectively), while 67% of those in Knox and none of those in New

Scotland voted yes on the budget. It should be noted, however, that those living

in Knox represent just 6 respondents, and those living in New Scotland represent

just 4 respondents.

Among the survey respondents, a majority approved the budget in 2013

regardless of age or length of time as a district resident. The approval rate

among survey respondents who indicated they were ages 18-30 or 51-64

declined, but the approval rate climbed among those indicating they were ages

31-50 or 65+. Since 2011, the approval rate of survey respondents ages 65+ has

increased by 25 percentage points (51% in 2011).

AGE GROUP APPROVAL RATE

2012 2013 2014

18-30 .........................................88% ..............95% ............. 88%

31-50 .........................................86% ..............80% ............. 86%

51-64 .........................................71% ..............75% ............. 71%

65+ .............................................66% ..............68% ............. 76%

Regarding length of residency, approval rates increased or remained steady in

every group since 2011. However, approval rates also declined as respondents

length of district residency increased, again consistent with the past two years.

YEARS AS RESIDENT APPROVAL RATE

2012 2013 2014

0-10 ............................................82% ..............83% ............. 83%

11-20 .........................................78% ..............79% ............. 79%

20+ .............................................70% ..............70% ............. 75%



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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 has shrunk steadily since 2012, as illustrated below.

VOTER CATEGORY APPROVAL RATE

2012 2013 2014

Children currently enrolled ......................... 87% ........84% ...... 86%

No children currently enrolled ................... 68% ........70% ...... 73%

Regardless of their childrens grade level, respondents with children

currently enrolled in the district approved the budget by at least 82% in

2014, as shown below.


2012 2013 2014

Children in grades K-5 ...................................90% ......86% ...... 93%

Children in grades 6-8 ...................................89% ......87% ...... 85%

Children in grades 9-12 .................................83% ......84% ...... 82%

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.


2012 2013 2014

Children previously enrolled .....................71% ........73% .........76%

Children never attended ..............................71% ........69% .........73%

Children will enroll in future .....................86% ........93% .........90%

Children will not enroll in future .............68% ........56% .........68%

This year, 91% of respondents who said they typically vote yes approved the

2014 budget proposal, while 96% of those who said they typically vote no

voted against the budget. More than three-quarters (77%) of those who said

they were voting for the irst time voted in favor of the budget.

Among the 57 respondents who indicated they are district employees, the

approval rate was 95%, compared with an approval rate of 76% for those who

said they are not district employees.

Approval rate among

non-district parents

By ltering the surveyresponses using mulple

quesons, it can be

determined that 56

respondents in 2014 either

have no children or have

chosen to enroll their

children elsewhere (i.e., their

children are not currently

enrolled at Guilderland, have

never aended Guilderland

and will not aend in

the future). Of theserespondents, 53 indicated

how they voted on the

budget proposal.

Among these 53 non-

district parent respondents,

the budget approval rate

was 62%.

In 2013, the budget approval

rate for the 33 non-district

parent respondents was

64%. In 2012, it was 73%for 52 respondents, and in

2011, it was 42% for the 96

respondents.



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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 ...................................................83%

I am pleased with the quality of education ..............................67%

The spending/tax increase is reasonable .................................54%

The budget meets the needs of our students ..........................53%

I have children/grandchildren in the schools ........................38%

The budget addresses a service/program

that is important to me .....................................................................13%

Other reason [see comments, pp. 22-25] .......................................8%

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 ......................... 58%

I support education, but cant afford the cost ......................... 43%

I am not pleased with the quality of education ...................... 30%

Other reason [see comments, pp. 26-28] .................................... 26%

I do not have children/grandchildren in the schools .......... 22%

The budget does not meet the needs of our students ......... 16%

The budget fails to provide a service/program

that is important to me ..................................................................... 13%

From this data, one can draw a few conclusions; namely, that:

While more than half of the yes respondents (54%) said the tax increase

was reasonable, 58% 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 ive

yes respondents said they support investing in education, and 43%

of the no respondents agreed, but said their economic circumstances

prevented it.

Similar to the last two years, two-thirds of the yes respondents are

pleased with Guilderlands educational program. However, 30% of no

respondents said they are not, which is nearly double the percentage from

2013 (17%).



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What were Guilderland voters best sources of information

about the budget?

Please note, because of a slight change in the wording of this question in the 2014

exit survey, year-to-year comparisons might not be completely accurate.

Once again, survey respondents indicated that their top two budget information

sources are the district newsletter and local newspapers, respectively. Since2012, four of the top ive sources of budget information have been district

sources.

2012 2013 2014

District newsletter ................................... 70% ............. 74% .............67%

Local newspapers .................................... 40% ............. 32% .............40%

District website ......................................... 25% ............. 27% .............24%

School News Notiier (SNN)................ 16% ............. 21% .............22%

School newsletters .................................. 27% ............. 25% .............19%

Friends/neighbors .................................. 13% ............. 11% .............16%

District staff members ........................... 12% ............. 11% .............12%

Board of Education meetings .............. 14% ............. 15% .............10%

Cable Channel 16/18 .............................. 13% ...............8% ..............10%

Public budget meetings ...........................7% ................8% ................5%

PTA meetings ...............................................4% ................4% ................5%

Other source [see pp. 30-31]..................4% ................5% ................5%

District Facebook page ............................2% ................3% ................3%

District Twitter page.................................1% ................1% ..............


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Regardless of where respondents got their budget information, a majority

approved the budget.

INFO SOURCE APPROVAL RATES

2012 2013 2014

District newsletter ................................... 79% ............. 78% .............82%

Local newspapers .................................... 71% ............. 77% .............77%

District website ......................................... 89% ............. 88% .............88%

School newsletters .................................. 76% ............. 77% .............77%

School News Notiier (SNN)................ 88% ............. 90% .............90%

Board of Education meetings .............. 85% ............. 84% .............89%

Friends/neighbors .................................. 82% ............. 78% .............80%

District staff members ........................... 91% ............. 91% .............90%

Public budget meetings ......................... 90% ............. 78% .............76%

Cable Channel 16/18 .............................. 72% ............. 67% .............79%

PTA meetings ............................................100% ............ 95% .............93%

District Facebook page .......................... 82% ............. 93% .............95%

District Twitter page............................... 50% ............100% ............ 67%

Who were the yes voters in Guilderland?

In 2014, of the 525 survey respondents who said they voted yes on the budget:

29% voted at Altamont Elementary School

92% said they live in the Town of Guilderland

50% said they have lived in the district for 20 or more years

59% said they are at least 51 years old

96% said they typically vote yes on the budget;

1% said they typically vote no

59% said they do not have children currently attending Guilderland

schools

69% said the district newsletter was their source of budget information;

38% said local newspapers and 27% said the district website

89% said they also approved the bus purchase proposition

11% said they are district employees



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Who were the no voters in Guilderland?

In 2014, of the151 survey respondents who said they voted no on the budget:

24% voted at Westmere Elementary

89% said they live in the Town of Guilderland

58% said they have lived in the district for 20 or more years

77% said they are at least 51 years old

59% said they typically vote no on the budget;

37% said they typically vote yes

77% said they do not have children currently attending Guilderland

schools

60% said the district newsletter was their source of budget information;

44% said local newspapers and 21% said school newsletters

79% said they also voted no on the bus purchase proposition

2% said they are district employees



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Survey Response Summary:

Survey participants responses

to all questions



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26.98% 187

21.50% 149

13.71% 95

17.89% 124

19.91% 138

Q1Atwhichelementaryschoolareyouvotingtoday?

Answered:693 Skipped:1

Total 693

Altamont

Elementary

School

Guilderland

Elementary

School

Lynnwood

Elementary

School

PineBushElementary

School

Westmere

Elementary

School

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

26.98%21.50%

13.71% 17.89% 19.91%

AnswerChoices ResponsesAl tam ont Elementary Schoo l

Guilderland Elementary School

Lynnwood Elementary School

Pine Bush Elementary School

Westmere Elementary School



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91.46% 632

6.95% 48

0.87% 6

0.72% 5

Q2Inwhichtowndoyoulive?Answered:691 Skipped:3

Total 691

Guilderland Bethlehem Knox New Scotland0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

91.46%

6.95%0.87% 0.72%

AnswerChoices ResponsesGuilderland

Bethlehem

Knox

New Scotl and



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22.13% 152

25.62% 176

52.26% 359

Q3Howmanyyearshaveyoubeenadistrictresident?


Total 687

0-10 11-20 20+

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

22.13% 25.62%

52.26%

AnswerChoices Responses0-10

11-20

20+



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8.55% 58

91.45% 620

Q4Areyouanemployeeoftheschooldistrict?


Total 678

Yes No

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

8.55%

91.45%

AnswerChoices ResponsesYes

No



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36.57% 252

63.43% 437

Q5DoyoucurrentlyhavechildrenattendingGuilderlandSchools?


Total 689

Yes ,IhavechildrencurrentlyattendingGuilderland No,IdonothavechildrencurrentlyattendingGuilderland

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

36.57%

63.43%

AnswerChoices ResponsesYes, I have chi ldren currently attending Guil derland

No, I do not have children currently attending Guilderland



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56.80% 142

32.40% 81

46.80% 117

Q6Ifyes,whatlevel(s)ofschooldotheyattend?


TotalRespondents:250

GradesK-5 Grades6-8 Grades9-120%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

56.80%

32.40%

46.80%

AnswerChoices ResponsesGrades K-5

Grades 6-8

Grades 9-12



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66.30% 183

33.70% 93

Q7Ifno,didyourchildreneverattendGuilderlandSchools?


Total 276

Yes ,mychildrenattendedGuilderlandschoolsinthepast. No,mychildrenhaveneverattendedGuilderlandschools.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

66.30%

33.70%

AnswerChoices ResponsesYes, my c hil dren attended Guil derland school s in the past.

No, my chil dren have never attended Gui lderland schools.



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25.44% 29

74.56% 85

Q8Ifno,willyourchildrenattendGuilderlandSchoolswhentheyareolder?


Total 114

Yes ,mychildrenwillattendGuilderlandschoolsinthe No,mychildrenwillnotattendGuilderlandschoolsinthe

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

25.44%

74.56%

AnswerChoices ResponsesYes, my chi ldren will attend Guilderland school s in the future.

No, my chil dren will not attend Guil derland school s in the future.



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4.11% 28

32.26% 220

35.63% 243

28.01% 191

Q9Whatagecategorypertainstoyou?Answered:682 Skipped:12

Total 682

18-30 31-50 51-64 65+

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

4.11%

32.26% 35.63%

28.01%

AnswerChoices Responses18-30

31-50

51-64

65+



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77.66% 525

22.34% 151

Q10Howdidyouvoteontheproposed2014-15budgettoday?


Total 676

Yes ,infav or No,opposed0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

77.66%

22.34%

AnswerChoices ResponsesYes, in favor

No, opposed



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53.41% 274

53.61% 275

66.67% 342

83.43% 428

37.82% 194

13.45% 69

7.80% 40

Q11WhydidyouvoteYESontheproposed2014-15budget?(Checkallthat

apply.)



# Other reason/specificserviceorprogram Date1 My children were educated at Guilderland 5/28/2014 3:11 PM

2 Voted yes but unhappy that athletes are not significantly adjusted while reducing classroom

support, library, social workers, and learning programs

5/28/2014 3:02 PM

3 very proud of distric t and all i t has done 5/28/2014 2:48 PM

4 Guilderland schools are great but if we received the money from the state is would be awesome 5/28/2014 2:45 PM

5 music 5/28/2014 2:08 PM

6 Defeated budgets lead to dire cuts 5/28/2014 2:00 PM

7 Too many cuts; it "does" make a difference year to year 5/28/2014 1:45 PM

8 ALL are important 5/28/2014 1:30 PM

9 Quality education 5/28/2014 12:56 PM

10 music, pe, transportation 5/28/2014 12:52 PM

The

budget

meetsthe

needs...

The

spending/

taxincrea...

Iampleased

withthequalit...

I

support

investingin...

Ihavechildren/

grandchildreni...

The

budget

addressesaserv...

Other

reason

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

53.41% 53.61%

66.67% 83.43%

37.82%

13.45%7.80%

AnswerChoices ResponsesThe 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 i n educ ation

I have children/grandchildren in the schools

The budget addresses a service or program that is important to me

Other reason



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11 Educating children 5/28/2014 12:48 PM

12 spo rts, enri chm en t, extrac urri culars we re nor sac ri fi ced (as you were ab le ) 5/28/2014 12:45 PM

13 music/arts 5/28/2014 12:38 PM

14 Excellent school district 5/28/2014 11:57 AM

15 But - I would like to see an assessment from graduates after college whether they were happy with

their education

5/28/2014 11:37 AM

16 Library 5/28/2014 11:20 AM

17 Son is about to start kindergarten 5/28/2014 10:17 AM

18 music music music and ALL sports!!! 5/28/2014 9:56 AM

19 I work here 5/28/2014 9:36 AM

20 Guilderland schools are wonderful! 5/28/2014 9:15 AM

21 Our school d ist ric t cant sustain i tse lf wi thout an inc rease and maintain qua li ties. 5 /27/2014 4 :43 PM

22 You did a good job of putting the budget together with l imited funds 5/27/2014 4:40 PM

23 Assistant coaching 5/27/2014 4:08 PM

24 no choose need more teachers 5/27/2014 3:57 PM

25 Music 5/27/2014 3:45 PM

26 I di dn't want further c uts to program s nec essi tated by a budget shortfal l. 5/27/2014 3:25 PM

27 I am disappointed in the cut to music position within district. This is not in the best interest of the

program.

5/27/2014 2:36 PM

28 #1 priority is education. 5/27/2014 2:13 PM

29 I'm a teacher and it's important 5/27/2014 2:11 PM

30 I would still vote yes if you pushed to go above the tax cap. The education my children are getting

is worth it to me.

5/27/2014 2:01 PM

31 Common Core is g reat! We are losing ground to internat iona l students everyday! 5 /27/2014 1 :26 PM

32 Need more money for full time K aids 5/27/2014 12:11 PM

33 I would have voted yes i f the increase was more than the tax cap to restore programs. 5/27/2014 11:20 AM

34 Because the only other choice is austerity, which I do not believe would serve the children and

teachers well .

5/27/2014 10:48 AM

35 Full day kindergarten 5/27/2014 10:36 AM

36 Summer school. If we don't pass our school budgets we have only ourselves to blame if programs

get cut.

5/27/2014 10:29 AM

37 NYSTRS Employee 5/27/2014 10:18 AM

38 These are our next adults to be there for all of us. 5/27/2014 10:16 AM

39 I'm a former teacher and my mother and sister are also teachers. 5/27/2014 9:55 AM

40 I always support the Guilderland school budget. 5/20/2014 8:59 PM

41 Too many cuts into important programs; Also bring back JV Golf 5/20/2014 8:59 PM

42 i believe the board is trying to keep costs down. However, I may vote no again in the future if i think

that changes

5/20/2014 7:54 PM

43 It is part of fulfi l l ing the commandment to love my neighbor. 5/20/2014 7:53 PM

44 I do not want further cuts to be made to the district! 5/20/2014 7:33 PM

45 I think we should be spending even more. Education is important. 5/20/2014 7:30 PM

46 music and enrichment 5/20/2014 7:24 PM



24/81

47 There is a cap 5/20/2014 7:06 PM

48 Spend the money 5/20/2014 7:04 PM

49 I believe that there have been too many cuts to staffing and programs. I know this is due to state

ploi cy and l aw, but our public educti on system i s under attack and something needs to be done to

reverse the trend. I would vote know if there ws=as some way to have a defeat not interpreted as a

vote agai nst spending.

5/20/2014 7:03 PM

50 family members employed by the distric t 5/20/2014 6:57 PM

51 Previous residents voted for the budget when my children attended GCS, so I feel it is important tosupport current residents' children/families.

5/20/2014 6:51 PM

52 Music program is one of the best in the State - needs to be nurtured 5/20/2014 6:36 PM

53 edycatuib 5/20/2014 6:23 PM

54 i am happy to see that there is money being allocated to the library. i wish that there was more of a

focus on gifted and talented students so they c an see their full potential . al so, i wish that there were

more teachers and a foc us on foreign l anguages at the elem entary level.

5/20/2014 6:21 PM

55 special education services are vital to our students in need 5/20/2014 5:56 PM

56 My rent goes up every year to pay for higher taxes. The kids may as well have what they need. I

grew up where the budget was always voted down.

5/20/2014 5:46 PM

57 If the budget doesn't pass the quality of the Guilderland schools will continue to deteriorate... thebudget c uts from the state coupl ed with the tax cap are having an impac t and the school s are not

offering the same quali ty level that they did years ago

5/20/2014 5:27 PM

58 I would like to see administrative expenses decreased instead of cutting teaching positions. I would

also like to see the district take a more acti ve role in advoc ating for our chi ldren with the state

government, publi ci zing and supporting protests against the poli ci es that are devastating our

public school systems.

5/20/2014 5:05 PM

59 I have to say that I am glad my children no longer attend this district. There are so many budget

constraint issues and some of the classes that have been cut due to budget conerns makes me sad.

I feel the children in school today will notreceive the same benefits my children did in the past.

Last one graduated 2006.

5/20/2014 4:32 PM

60 A robust l ibrary program 5/20/2014 4:27 PM

61 it's the only reasonable thing to do 5/20/2014 3:47 PM

62 A contingency budget would be worse 5/20/2014 3:21 PM

63 due to NYS budget cuts budget does not meet needs of students-- I now you are doing the best you

can

5/20/2014 3:17 PM

64 Given the limited economic conditions, this was the best that could be presented to the residents

aside from a c omplete freeze in pay to the entire district.

5/20/2014 2:38 PM

65 Education is key to the future and we must prioritize how we choose to spend our resources...a

good investment.

5/20/2014 2:21 PM

66 I am concerned about the recent cuts in program. I do not feel that today's children, especially

those with gifts and talents are being supported in the way they were.

5/20/2014 11:24 AM

67 although I disagree with the way the district spend $ I know that voting against never helps our kids.

The cuts in staff are unacceptable. Too much administrative spending

5/20/2014 10:29 AM

68 special education needs of a child who attends the school district. 5/20/2014 10:24 AM

69 The budget is too low and does not meet all the needs of our children and school district

employees.

5/20/2014 8:25 AM



25/81

70 I feel it is the best we can do as a population which is increasing in age and lacking resources.

BUT I don't feel the emphasis is on the right needs--we need m ore applied to i nnovative ways of

presenting/teac hing/imparting knowledge. Why aren't we doing more with l ong-distance learning,

across district course presentations, and teaching to the strengths/needs of the students/world. Not

teaching Chinese/and current needs languages is putting us behind. I don't think our schools are

"future-looking" any more. I don't think we have a focus for the future. Leadership is not leading--

only reacting.

5/20/2014 8:24 AM

71 I am a retired elementary school teacher - how could I not? :-) 5/20/2014 8:06 AM

72 Even though the schools are woefully underfunded by the state, we need to vote FOR what we dohave. The District should be more ac tive in speaking out against the state's anti-publi c educati on

policies.

5/20/2014 7:46 AM



26/81

16.43% 23

57.86% 81

30.00% 42

42.86% 60

22.14% 31

12.86% 18

26.43% 37

Q12WhydidyouvoteNOontheproposed2014-15budget?(Checkallthatapply.)



# Other reason/specificserviceorprogram Date1 School board rubber stamps every special interest. Too much money spent on sports. 6/2/2014 11:20 AM

2 Do not feel sc hool distri cts need more than two pri nc ipal s overseei ng. 6/2/2014 10:54 AM

3 Common Core better not be forced on kids today -artificial and big business approaches to

teaching at students and freedoms expense

6/2/2014 10:47 AM

4 Taxes are exorbisant [sic] cannot afford to live in Guilderland - ever [sic] yr it is the same - more

taxes. When will it stop? Teachers don't need raises every yr. They make enough!!

6/2/2014 10:39 AM

5 Cutting 11x is c razy. Start cutting admin salary and retiree benefits! 6/2/2014 9:52 AM

6 70-75% of budget is off the table for discussion 5/28/2014 3:09 PM

7 Too much administration 5/28/2014 2:37 PM

8 The district does not seem to realize that spending is out of control. Superintendent's salary

inc reased 20% in 10 years? Mine c ertainly didn't - maybe decreased by that m uch. Good

education is not everything imaginable.

5/28/2014 2:29 PM

9 They are wasting our tax dollars! 5/28/2014 1:48 PM

The

budget

doesnotmeet...

The

spending/

tax

increase...

Iamnotpleased

withthequality...

I

support

education,

but...

Idonothave

children/

grand...

The

budget

failstoprovide...

Other

reason

(please

specify)

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

16.43%

57.86%

30.00%

42.86%

22.14%

12.86%

26.43%

AnswerChoices ResponsesThe budget does not mee t 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 c an't afford the cost

I do not have children/grandchildren in the schools

The budget fai ls to provide a service or program that is important to m e (please specify below)

Other reason (please specify below)



27/81

10 Much too much is spent on teacher retirement 5/28/2014 1:27 PM

11 How can all the cuts and the past years not impact children negatively? I found the superintendent

com ments in the budget newsletter offensive.

5/28/2014 12:00 PM

12 The distric t should not have given an increase in the last negotiation. I cannot afford i t . 5/28/2014 10:08 AM

13 Stop paying high administration costs 5/28/2014 9:40 AM

14 Too many administration at too high salaries 5/28/2014 9:38 AM

15 Cuts are not equitable; administration is top-heavy 5/28/2014 9:22 AM

16 continued poor fiscal management 5/28/2014 9:08 AM

17 My hope is that our community can find innovative ways to reduce spending and return to the

basics that are tried and true.

5/27/2014 4:27 PM

18 The artific ial cap is unreasonable. Quality costs 5/27/2014 4:18 PM

19 We all need to live within our means. Why are you buying busses when planning to lease them

out?

5/27/2014 4:05 PM

20 Full day TA's in kindergarten 5/27/2014 3:13 PM

21 The school needs to stay within its budget. Cut the unnecessary salary of the superintendent.

Outrageous.

5/27/2014 3:03 PM

22 People are living longer and their spouses are deceased and it's too expensive on a widow to pay

the taxes.

5/27/2014 1:46 PM

23 Taxes are too HIGH 5/27/2014 1:32 PM

24 I voted yes on safety bus proposal 5/27/2014 1:28 PM

25 Get rid of some of the high priced help not the aides 5/27/2014 12:04 PM

26 Budget cuts too much on students NOT ADMINISTRATORS. 5/27/2014 11:43 AM

27 The school system wastes too much money. 5/27/2014 11:36 AM

28 I believe there should be cuts to upper administration salary before an increase is warranted. 5/27/2014 11:18 AM

29 At the rate of taxes I wil l not be able to stay in my home and l ike my children leave the state!!! 5/27/2014 11:16 AM

30 The way wages go up. They can come down! 5/27/2014 11:11 AM

31 Cursive writing. Proper English. 5/27/2014 10:57 AM

32 WiFi is unsafe and it is unacceptable to expose children and adults to it for convenience purposes.

Look at the bioi nitia tive report standards for acc eptable levels instead of industry funded 18 year

old FCC standards.

5/27/2014 10:51 AM

33 The district continues to cut direct education staff and programs while never touching

administration, principals at the high school being the cl earest example. Also the publ ic sessions

are presented as an opportunity for feedback but after participating for years, I realized they are

actual ly a m arketing too l to make people feel like they have a say,

5/20/2014 8:06 PM

34 the board is out of control with respect to how and what items it appropriates the spending on. there

is much waste that I here from employees of the school district. i nstead of returning materials thatare not needed for credit or other materials that are needed, the material is simpl e di sposed of or

given away or just wasted for non productive purposes.

5/20/2014 7:08 PM

35 The teachers make up almost 76% of the budget. MUCH to high!!!. Also the cost if sending students

to Tech Valley is not realistic.

5/20/2014 6:45 PM

36 I see no justification for an increase in the budget when the student population is decreasing. 5/20/2014 5:29 PM

37 the distric t should learn to do with less l ike most families must 5/20/2014 4:57 PM



28/81

38 I will start voting yes when school administrators (ie. the superintendent) take salary cuts and make

more reasonable salaries for the jobs they do. The most recent example being our superintendent

making $80,000 more than what she should. T hat $80,000 would be a great start to achieving a

more reasonable budget and providing our c hild ren with the nec essities to be succ essful in their

educati on. The teacher's union needs to stop putting the burden of the l ack of funds on the

taxpayer's backs. If the union truly puts our children's education and success at the forefront, they

too need to take a reduction in salary/benefits. Enough is enough. I al ready buy hundreds of dol lars

in school supplies each year for my children in order to offset school district costs.

5/20/2014 12:58 PM

39 1) Elimination of the "X" courses. Unacceptable to me 2) There was a decrease in the

departmental budgets EXCEPT for admini stration. This is based upon m y review of the Powerpointfrom last week. I am beginni ng to truly feel that the Sc hool Distric t is "top heavy"

5/20/2014 12:51 PM

40 The taxes are outrageous. The school taxes are driving away potential buyers because they cannot

afford to live in Guilderland!!!

5/20/2014 12:24 PM

41 My son requires special education services; however, his deficits do not meet the criteria to receive

them through the school . Because of thi s, my husband and I, inc oordination with our insurance,

are paying over $100 a week in co-payments for his physic al and oc cupati onal therapy needs. I

can not support a budget for an increase in salaries, assistant coaching positions, etc., when you

are not able to meet the needs of your students who require services to learn.

5/20/2014 11:09 AM

42 school bus to private schools is inflexible . requiring far too long for travel, early AM pick up times,

transfers etc. with no service when GES is closed

5/20/2014 9:54 AM

43 teachers should pay more for health ins. why am i paying my own health ins and dist employees.they need to pay more

5/20/2014 7:57 AM



29/81

66.67% 420

18.89% 119

Q13Ofthefollowingcommunicationchannels,whatwereyourthreebest

sourcesofinformationabouttheproposedbudget?(Pleasecheckthreeonly.)


Districtnewsletters

School

newsletters

District

website

District

FacebookpageDistrict

TwitterpageSchoolNewsNotifier(SNN)

BoardofEducation...

Publicbudgetmeetings

CableChannel16/18

PTAmeetings

Districtstaffmembers

Friends/

neighbors

Local

newspapers

Other(pleasespecify)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

66.67%

18.89%

23.97%

3.49%

0.48%

21.90%

10.00%

4.60%

10.48%

4.76%

12.38%

16.03%

39.68%

4.92%

AnswerChoices ResponsesDistrict newsletters

School newsletters



30/81

23.97% 151

3.49% 22

0.48% 3

21.90% 138

10.00% 63

4.60% 29

10.48% 66

4.76% 30

12.38% 78

16.03% 101

39.68% 250

4.92% 31


# Other (pleasespecify) Date1 Altamont Enterprise 6/2/2014 10:24 AM

2 local TV 5/28/2014 3:12 PM

3 local news 5/28/2014 12:54 PM

4 Local sign 5/28/2014 11:56 AM

5 Enterprise 5/28/2014 11:49 AM

6 The enterprise 5/28/2014 9:29 AM

7 TV 5/28/2014 9:23 AM

8 radio 5/28/2014 9:20 AM

9 SED data 5/27/2014 4:34 PM

10 Board members 5/27/2014 3:56 PM

11 Channel 6 5/27/2014 1:47 PM

12 None - poorly communicated 5/27/2014 12:23 PM

13 Have noticed residents are typic ally very happy with expenditures 5/27/2014 11:41 AM

14 Roadside signs 5/27/2014 11:34 AM

15 NYSUT 5/27/2014 11:23 AM

16 meeting with Marie Wiles, Superintendent of schools 5/27/2014 11:22 AM

17 YNN 5/27/2014 10:32 AM

18 Road Signs with Vote and day 5/20/2014 8:50 PM

19 Supervisor Wiles visit with McKownville Association 5/20/2014 8:17 PM

20 Family Members 5/20/2014 7:32 PM

21 altamont enterprise 5/20/2014 7:07 PM

22 mcknownvil le improvement meeting-super met with us 5/20/2014 6:15 PM

23 et any type of sc hool di stri ct report si nc e my ki ds attended I never g 5/20/2014 6:12 PM

District website

District Facebook page

District Twitter page

School News Notifie r (SNN)

Board of Education meetings

Public budget meetings

Cable Channel 16/18

PTA meetings

District staff members

Friends/neighbors

Local newspapers

Other (please spec ify)



31/81

24 very l ittle info made public explaining reason for increases 5/20/2014 6:04 PM

25 student info 5/20/2014 5:57 PM

26 ynn 5/20/2014 5:47 PM

27 saw the signs at the intersection 5/20/2014 5:47 PM

28 Board of Ed notes/agenda/ etc 5/20/2014 3:48 PM

29 Altamont enterprise best sourc e- know someone in sc hool finance 5/20/2014 3:19 PM

30 McKownvil le Neighborhood Assoc 5/20/2014 2:23 PM

31 employees ie.. teachers in the district 5/20/2014 10:26 AM



32/81

75.00% 495

25.00% 165

Q14Howdidyouvoteonthebusandequipmentproposition?


Total 660

Yes onproposition Noonproposition0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

75.00%

25.00%

AnswerChoices ResponsesYes on proposition

No on proposition



33/81

Q15Pleaseexplainwhy youvotedasyoudidonthebusandequipmentproposition.


# Responses Date

1 Very important to have safe transportation for our children 6/2/2014 2:36 PM

2 It is important to have bus and equipment purchases and upgrades covered by bonding. 6/2/2014 1:34 PM

3 taxes too high 6/2/2014 1:34 PM

4 I would like my children to be riding safe buses. 6/2/2014 1:33 PM

5 We need new efficient reliable transportation for our children. 6/2/2014 1:30 PM

6 Expensi ve. Rep lac ed too often. Bus stops at eve ry c orne r i n m y neighborhood. 6/2/2014 11 :20 AM

7 transportation equipment needs to be replaced on a regular basis 6/2/2014 11:13 AM

8 Too much money! 6/2/2014 11:06 AM

9 Have seen m any buses wi th few c hi ldren arri vi ng at sc hool . Refi ne routes. 6/2/2014 11:01 AM

10 Way too many buses criss-crossing all over the place. We have 6 in our community. Why? 6/2/2014 10:42 AM

11 Don't need new busses [sic] every yr. Fix the old ones. That is what I do when my car breaks down - I

fix it and make it l ast.

6/2/2014 10:39 AM

12 I wi ll be al ways vote i n the best i nterest and safety of our ki ds, our future 6/2/2014 10:36 AM

13 Need safe equipment 6/2/2014 9:52 AM

14 T he district needs to retire buses and replace them every few years 6/2/2014 9:48 AM

15 The current equipment often sits not in use and nor due to repair issues its kept in reserve. 5/28/2014 3:08 PM

16 I believe children l iving c lose to school should walk 5/28/2014 3:07 PM

17 Buses can be reused 5/28/2014 3:03 PM

18 I feel it's unnecessary 5/28/2014 3:01 PM

19 I support schools 5/28/2014 2:51 PM

20 The district demonstrated a significant need 5/28/2014 2:49 PM

21 The district displayed a need for this 5/28/2014 2:48 PM

22 Because I care about the children 5/28/2014 2:46 PM

23 The waste 5/28/2014 2:43 PM

24 Why isn't this in with the rest of the budget? 5/28/2014 2:30 PM

25 Bus safety is very important 5/28/2014 2:26 PM

26 Not pleased with quality of education in Guilderland 5/28/2014 2:13 PM

27 essential to have safe working vehicles 5/28/2014 2:08 PM

28 We c an 't afford the tax i nc rease. T im e for Gui lderl and to l ive wi thin i ts m eans 5/28/2014 2 :04 PM

29 I believe replacing buses regularly is a necessity. Seeing empty of mere empty busses is distressing 5/28/2014 2:01 PM

30 Buses are frequently seen with too few passengers 5/28/2014 1:57 PM

31 In spite of so many who drive private vehicles to High School, we do need up to date serviceable

buses and qual ified drivers

5/28/2014 1:56 PM

32 I still have a problem saying yes continually for 10 busses annually after spending millions on the

best maintenance to take care of our buses.

5/28/2014 1:51 PM



34/81

33 Need safe transportation for children 5/28/2014 1:50 PM

34 They don't need them! 5/28/2014 1:48 PM

35 I know how muc h the di stri ct rel ies on dependable bus transportati on 5/28/2014 1:44 PM

36 need for transportation 5/28/2014 1:34 PM

37 A necessary item for replacement 5/28/2014 1:17 PM

38 I expect all phases of the educational program to be current! 5/28/2014 12:57 PM

39 Safety 5/28/2014 12:52 PM

40 necessities 5/28/2014 12:48 PM

41 Feel it is necessary 5/28/2014 12:47 PM

42 Safety first 5/28/2014 12:46 PM

43 It is a reasonable and forward thinking expenditure 5/28/2014 12:45 PM

44 I do think students should be given one option - you drive or your ride. Why save a seat for those

who take the bus once i n awhile.

5/28/2014 12:42 PM

45 too much money 5/28/2014 12:39 PM

46 Newer equipment/buses better than older! 5/28/2014 12:06 PM

47 Equipment should stay up to date 5/28/2014 12:03 PM

48 Again, in support of a school that pursues excellence 5/28/2014 11:58 AM

49 We need efficient bus and other equipment, less noise and pollution, better for environment 5/28/2014 11:53 AM

50 Buses wear out 5/28/2014 11:51 AM

51 If safety i s the m ai n c onc ern then repl ac ing mil age buses makes sense 5/28/2014 11:49 AM

52 It is important to keep the bus fleet up on a continuous basis; replacing several buses yearly is less

expensive

5/28/2014 11:34 AM

53 Can't afford 5/28/2014 11:32 AM

54 The district does a good job of spreading the cost over time to purchase and maintain buses andequipment 5/28/2014 11:31 AM

55 Buses p rovide transpo rta ti on and safety to c hi ldren and a re a worth expense 5/28/2014 11:30 AM

56 In favor of the students 5/28/2014 11:28 AM

57 I trust the distric t to know about the safety for all children 5/28/2014 11:27 AM

58 I believe we need to rethink school transportation to encourage more walking and geographically

tighter school d istricts

5/28/2014 11:25 AM

59 Maintaining and upgrading is cheaper in the long run 5/28/2014 11:23 AM

60 Safety 5/28/2014 11:23 AM

61 It's important 5/28/2014 11:21 AM

62 Safety issue 5/28/2014 11:20 AM

63 Safety for our children 5/28/2014 11:18 AM

64 Safety is important 5/28/2014 11:15 AM

65 Safety need 5/28/2014 10:21 AM

66 You have to keep taxes down! 5/28/2014 10:04 AM

67 I'm a teacher 5/28/2014 10:03 AM

68 Kids need safe equipment and our bus drivers deserve safe, reliable vehicles!! Their job is critical

to our kids success - especially at the elementary level.

5/28/2014 10:01 AM

69 Enough already with raising taxes! 5/28/2014 9:49 AM



35/81

70 Needed for safety 5/28/2014 9:48 AM

71 Spend it on education 5/28/2014 9:39 AM

72 Declining enrollment 5/28/2014 9:38 AM

73 I work here 5/28/2014 9:37 AM

74 I don't understand why busses need to be purchased so frequently 5/28/2014 9:30 AM

75 I feel it is important to maintain equipment 5/28/2014 9:27 AM

76 no more taxes 5/28/2014 9:26 AM

77 Always keep students safe 5/28/2014 9:25 AM

78 make better use of what you already have 5/28/2014 9:23 AM

79 Keep buses and equipment up to date and safe for the children 5/28/2014 9:19 AM

80 safety reasons 5/28/2014 9:19 AM

81 Because I'm for bettering the system 5/28/2014 9:18 AM

82 Do we need it? 5/28/2014 9:16 AM

83 To ensure adequate and safe transportation for our students. 5/28/2014 9:12 AM

84 because the improvement wil l keep children safe 5/28/2014 9:10 AM

85 Can't have old buses/Can't wait unti l broken 5/28/2014 9:04 AM

86 We need to save money and use it towards keeping safe 5/27/2014 4:39 PM

87 Keep bussing safe 5/27/2014 4:36 PM

88 I have three children in the distric t 5/27/2014 4:32 PM

89 I feel there is much excess and as a community there is a need to look through the lens of

econom ic s and reduce spending. Innovation c omes from the necessary.

5/27/2014 4:29 PM

90 New buses are continuously needed for safety reasons 5/27/2014 4:25 PM

91 They don't need them 5/27/2014 4:21 PM

92 Need safe, adequate transportation 5/27/2014 4:18 PM

93 We need safe and modern equipment 5/27/2014 4:14 PM

94 Buses and equipment wear out or become obsolete! 5/27/2014 4:10 PM

95 Keep kids safe 5/27/2014 4:09 PM

96 Busses get old. Safety first 5/27/2014 4:08 PM

97 We do not need to be in the bus leasing business. Also - cost of busses is much higher than

should/c ould be. Why?

5/27/2014 4:07 PM

98 Safety 5/27/2014 3:59 PM

99 District should consider extending current life of existing fleet through through extended

mai ntenance/service vs. always buying newer busses.

5/27/2014 3:56 PM

100 Transportation that is safe is important to me 5/27/2014 3:48 PM

101 Funds 5/27/2014 3:44 PM

102 Can't go to school without buses 5/27/2014 3:43 PM

103 I don't believe they need replac ing 5/27/2014 3:42 PM

104 Same reasons as why I favor the budget 5/27/2014 3:29 PM

105 You got to get there from here 5/27/2014 3:22 PM

106 I am so pleased on the Guilderland buses. 5/27/2014 3:15 PM

107 Need to keep upgrading of transportation to keep current. 5/27/2014 3:12 PM



36/81

108 This is a vampire touch and state, shame on you!!! 5/27/2014 3:05 PM

109 Safety 5/27/2014 3:01 PM

110 There is a continuing need for these items to be replaced 5/27/2014 2:30 PM

111 Maintain safety to the students 5/27/2014 2:29 PM

112 Cost, no increased taxes 5/27/2014 2:28 PM

113 Always seems like there are new buses on the ballot 5/27/2014 2:22 PM

114 Have not seen anything to validate the need. 5/27/2014 2:19 PM

115 Safe buses 5/27/2014 2:17 PM

116 92,000,000 seems like enough to tax us on. 5/27/2014 2:12 PM

117 Too much money 5/27/2014 2:03 PM

118 I trust that you need the equipment you ask for 5/27/2014 2:02 PM

119 Size of buses. 5/27/2014 1:57 PM

120 We need to invest in our kids 5/27/2014 1:53 PM

121 Good equipment is essential for safety and efficiency. 5/27/2014 1:52 PM

122 Buses are needed. 5/27/2014 1:49 PM

123 Not enough kids ride the bus. 5/27/2014 1:48 PM

124 It is important to provide safe transportation for our children. 5/27/2014 1:43 PM

125 You have a very nice, new garage -- fix the buses! 5/27/2014 1:42 PM

126 Taxes too high - extend use of existing equipment 5/27/2014 1:33 PM

127 Safety 5/27/2014 1:29 PM

128 Use above 5/27/2014 1:24 PM

129 I think equipment is important for the safety of children. 5/27/2014 1:23 PM

130 Bec ause I bel ieved that we required nec essary parts for our buses. 5/27/2014 1:17 PM

131 I don't buy the argument that maintenance would be more expensive than purchasing new buses. 5/27/2014 1:15 PM

132 Tight times requires belt tightening. No immediate need for buses especially with declining

enrollment.

5/27/2014 1:14 PM

133 I a lways vote for increased funding for schools because education is hugely important. 5/27/2014 12:28 PM

134 Necessary for safety. 5/27/2014 12:26 PM

135 no awareness no kids 5/27/2014 12:23 PM

136 So much is spent on bussing kids 5/27/2014 12:10 PM

137 Don't need it 5/27/2014 12:00 PM

138 No need. 5/27/2014 11:47 AM

139 needed 5/27/2014 11:42 AM

140 Too much money. 5/27/2014 11:35 AM

141 I believe in investing in what is needed for education. 5/27/2014 11:24 AM

142 Safety is critical. 5/27/2014 11:22 AM

143 Buses are in desperate need of upgrade. 5/27/2014 11:19 AM

144 I'm just tired of higher taxes. 5/27/2014 11:15 AM

145 Safety first. 5/27/2014 11:13 AM

146 Buses are half empty/could be managed more efficiently. 5/27/2014 10:58 AM



37/81

147 Safety and effic iency in transportation. 5/27/2014 10:37 AM

148 Because the school NEEDS it. 5/27/2014 10:30 AM

149 T oo much, too often, I feel also more buses unnec essary expense. 5/27/2014 10:26 AM

150 Seems reasonable to replace some equipment each year. 5/27/2014 10:19 AM

151 Need to get the children to school to learn 5/27/2014 10:17 AM

152 Safe busses are important. They are not a frivolous expense. 5/27/2014 10:14 AM

153 Safe buses are important. 5/27/2014 10:01 AM

154 I always support Guilderland schools. 5/20/2014 9:01 PM

155 Believe buses can handle greater avg. of miles . Yet, too bad the maintenance vehicle/plow is

linked to the bus purchase, as that seemed reasonable

5/20/2014 8:59 PM

156 M ai ntai ni ng bus and equi pm ent i s nec essary for the safety of our c hi ldren. 5/20/2014 8:57 PM

157 I am not in favor of replacing buses after only 10 years in service. I support replacing the

maintenance vehicle

5/20/2014 8:57 PM

158 T he m ai ntenanc e of the buses i s essenti al to the operati on of the sc hool . 5/20/2014 8:54 PM

159 Safety of children important 5/20/2014 8:50 PM

160 I bel ieve the assets (the buses) are bei ng m anaged wel l and thoughtful ly. 5/20/2014 8:40 PM

161 Is a reasonable amount and is partly re-imbursable with aide 5/20/2014 8:16 PM

162 not necessary 5/20/2014 8:16 PM

163 Kids need to get to school safely 5/20/2014 8:12 PM

164 The idea of having to wait to purchase buses increases the wear and tear on the vehicles. I trust in

what the district has proposed.

5/20/2014 8:08 PM

165 It i s important fo r ou r c hi ld ren to have sa fe transpo rta ti on ava il ab le to them 5/20/2014 8 :06 PM

166 see prior 5/20/2014 7:55 PM

167 Children and staff are entitled to safe equipment. 5/20/2014 7:54 PM

168 safety 5/20/2014 7:47 PM

169 It makes sense to acquire a few buses every year. 5/20/2014 7:46 PM

170 we need safe buses 5/20/2014 7:40 PM

171 Safety Kids ride the buses. 5/20/2014 7:32 PM

172 Budgets have already been cut too much. 5/20/2014 7:31 PM

173 Get children to school safely 5/20/2014 7:31 PM

174 an appopriate spend! 5/20/2014 7:27 PM

175 quality equipment 5/20/2014 7:25 PM

176 Safety is important 5/20/2014 7:19 PM

177 too many busses running around and multiple busses on the same route to pick up students that

should take the regular bus or if they are troublesome driven by their parents. why should WE the

TAXPAYERS be required to accommodate the students who are trouble makers. make them tow

the li ne and deliver or suffer the consequences. Mom and Dad can be responsible for

transportation. why are we taking students to other school districts, if mom and dad want them to

attend that school then they should provide the transportation. unfunded mandates from the state

are not helpi ng reduce the costs. Diesel, ti res, wear and tear on the vehicl es coul d be signific antly

reduced i f we stop the social deli very of students to school s they want to go to. Go to guil derland or

li ve in the di strict you want your chi ld to attend.

5/20/2014 7:14 PM

178 Buses and transportation are very important to eductation and having kids be in school on time. 5/20/2014 7:13 PM

179 it is needed 5/20/2014 7:11 PM



38/81

180 need 5/20/2014 7:08 PM

181 not many kids use buser 5/20/2014 7:07 PM

182 Investing over the long-term is important in preserving our transportation system and to prevent a

massive cost accumulated over time if earlier propositions are not passed.

5/20/2014 6:55 PM

183 replacing worn out equipment would be more efficient and cost effective than repairing old

equipment in the long run

5/20/2014 6:51 PM

184 ongoing replacement of buses and equipment is necessary and reasonable. Also prudent. 5/20/2014 6:42 PM

185 bus safety and reliabil ity is important 5/20/2014 6:37 PM

186 i do not l ikw bond for this. do it and be done. 5/20/2014 6:33 PM

187 It costs money to run a school disstricet 5/20/2014 6:26 PM

188 To support our local educational system 5/20/2014 6:19 PM

189 no raise for me, buses can last another year 5/20/2014 6:19 PM

190 I would rather replace a few buses on an ongoing, systematic manner than having to purchase a

larger amount when in extreme need.

5/20/2014 6:18 PM

191 Makes sense; necessary 5/20/2014 6:16 PM

192 I want my children to ride reasonably modern buses. 5/20/2014 6:16 PM

193 needed 5/20/2014 6:15 PM

194 Altamont Enterprise 5/20/2014 6:12 PM

195 safety reasons, however buses shd be fully equipped: safety, video and access to wi fi, etc. 5/20/2014 6:04 PM

196 they need new buses with side cameras for the guilderland drivers who ignore a stopped school bus 5/20/2014 5:57 PM

197 equipment needs to be current and safe for students 5/20/2014 5:57 PM

198 can't afford it 5/20/2014 5:47 PM

199 Equipment always needs to be replaced 5/20/2014 5:47 PM

200 needed 5/20/2014 5:37 PM

201 I WANT MY CHILDREN TO BE SAFE 5/20/2014 5:36 PM

202 we need to constantly up grade our buses and equipment. Our district is large and the mileage

increases quickly on the buses.

5/20/2014 5:34 PM

203 I want the children to get home safely. 5/20/2014 5:30 PM

204 I assum e the purc hases are nec essary and trust the board of educ ati on 5/20/2014 5:28 PM

205 Buses are old and need to be replaced; just like cars. 5/20/2014 5:18 PM

206 I believe the expenditures are necessary 5/20/2014 5:15 PM

207 I am only will ing to allow my taxes to increase to a certain level. 5/20/2014 5:15 PM

208 It makes more sense to replace equipment on a rotating schedule so that you're paying less at onetime-like a budget plan for national grid. 5/20/2014 5:07 PM

209 It's important for our transportation equipment to be in good working order for the safety of our

children.

5/20/2014 4:51 PM

210 I know that it is more cost effective to purchase new buses regularly than to wait until they are too

old and try to repair them

5/20/2014 4:42 PM

211 M ost c om es from State Ai d. Equi pm ent has to be kept up to date to be safe. 5/20/2014 4:34 PM

212 Transportation is important. 5/20/2014 4:33 PM

213 I would like to see alternatives to new large (often empty) buses. 5/20/2014 4:30 PM

214 too much 5/20/2014 4:23 PM



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215 school buses are needed to keepthings moving 5/20/2014 4:21 PM

216 Without busses, kids don't get to school. We need to support the transportation department, period. 5/20/2014 4:20 PM

217 We need to maintain and continuely update equipment 5/20/2014 4:17 PM

218 I wanted to ensure the safety of our children. 5/20/2014 4:10 PM

219 My daughter l ikes to travel l ike a princess 5/20/2014 4:02 PM

220 we need buses and equipment 5/20/2014 3:56 PM

221 I support the budget propositions as well 5/20/2014 3:51 PM

222 necessary 5/20/2014 3:49 PM

223 again, we need it 5/20/2014 3:48 PM

224 I think it important to have safe vehicles for the children and I believe that it cost more to fix older

machines.

5/20/2014 3:44 PM

225 I don't want the service to be privatized. 5/20/2014 3:31 PM

226 I think we could get more time out of the buses, especially with the garage facilities the district has. 5/20/2014 3:23 PM

227 you have always seemed reasonable about replacment 5/20/2014 3:19 PM

228 transportation for kids is an important investment 5/20/2014 3:10 PM

229 For the safety of our students. 5/20/2014 2:23 PM

230 necessary 5/20/2014 1:41 PM

231 I read about how important it is to replace the busses to make sure they stay safe for students to

ride.

5/20/2014 1:05 PM

232 They are important 5/20/2014 1:05 PM

233 Again, this budget is entirely too high. Go to our local administrators and teacher's union and

government for the financial assistance. Every year, the taxpayer feels the burden. I pay over

$10,000 in school/property taxes only to be asked, each year, to pay more.

5/20/2014 1:02 PM

234 I understand the district contracted some busing this year at a cost savings. I would like to see more

of this instead of incurring long term personnel costs; use tax funds for teachers and educating kids,

not extra support personell who can be outsourced at a savings

5/20/2014 12:55 PM

235 important to have save buses and to not have to purchase a lot a one time. a couple a year is

perfect.

5/20/2014 12:31 PM

236 safety 5/20/2014 11:50 AM

237 Buses get a l ot of m il eage and m ust be on a phased repl ac em ent sc hedul e. 5/20/2014 11:26 AM

238 Buses are a valuable resource for students & I prefer that they are funded properly. 5/20/2014 10:34 AM

239 We replace buses more frequently than other districts 5/20/2014 10:31 AM

240 needs for safe transportation of students in the distric t. 5/20/2014 10:26 AM

241 safe busses are cruc ially important 5/20/2014 9:59 AM

242 l imted value in the services provided to private school students, see prior comment 5/20/2014 9:56 AM

243 safety 5/20/2014 9:25 AM

244 needed 5/20/2014 9:09 AM

245 we need functioning buses for our kids 5/20/2014 9:03 AM

246 i felt you always need to keep improving the equipment to keep the children safe even at extra

costs

5/20/2014 8:56 AM

247 safety 5/20/2014 8:53 AM

248 Need... 5/20/2014 8:28 AM



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249 It is important to have safe and up-to-date vehicles for the transportation of our kids. Maintenance

over time should be expected.

5/20/2014 8:13 AM

250 To avoid decaying of our necessary infrastructure. 5/20/2014 7:47 AM

251 I bel ieve safe transportati on i s of the utm ost i mportanc e to our c hi ldren 5/20/2014 7:39 AM

252 These kinds of equipment need to be maintained. 5/20/2014 7:18 AM



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83.98% 545

12.48% 81

3.54% 23

Q16Howhaveyoutypicallyvotedontheschoolbudgetinthepast?


Total 649

Itypicallyvoteyes. Itypicallyvoteno. Ihavenotvotedinthepast.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

83.98%

12.48%

3.54%

AnswerChoices ResponsesI typic ally vote yes.

I typically vote no.

I have not voted i n the past.



42/81

Q17AdditionalCommentsAnswered:80 Skipped:614

# Responses Date

1 I sometimes vote yes and sometimes no. 6/2/2014 11:20 AM

2 Why when money runs short are the low paid people at the bottom of the pecking order the first togo! T he superintendent (Dr. Wise) could spare $10,000 of her $170,000 annual pay along with the

other administrators etc. I know this falls on deaf ears. Things never change - I got mine, tough luck

for the rest of you!

6/2/2014 11:06 AM

3 School budget should be based on same goals as private industry - and sound accounting. This

distric t is going in the wrong direction! My c hil dren went to the schools years past and the di strict

managem ent performed better then than is performing now. In time the administration (district) will

prosper - yet - the teachi ng staff and chi ldren will suffer if c urrent path is followed.

6/2/2014 11:01 AM

4 I signed in for being able to vote and then they asked me to give my full name and ballot #. I

refused to do. No person should be prevy [sic] a have knowledge of my ballot or know I voted and

the explanation I got was unacceptable.

6/2/2014 10:56 AM

5 School officials need to examine ways to eliminate wasteful spending - curtail "frills" and be more

reasonable in salaries especially for the superintendent and others in higher paying positions. Moreisn't always better. Famili es learn to live on tighter budgets. Schoo l d istricts can too.

6/2/2014 10:52 AM

6 School budgets provide for way more than is necessary for a high grade education. If the focus was

truly on the students, protecting poor teachers won't be the unions priority! Paying and rewarding

good teac hing is far more important than teachers unions activiti es in po liti cal issues. Common

Core's changi ng hi story (California teac hing the Holoc aust as never happening ) and math problems

taking 8+-steps to solve when it only takes 2 or 3 - are among the many mechanisms to dumb down

our future leaders and business people so they are more easily con trolled by the poli tic al elites!

There's so muc h more to be c oncerned about relating to conti nuall y being over taxed to pay for

government to take over the m inds of our chi ldren!

6/2/2014 10:49 AM

7 Would like to see board continue to limit salary increases and benefits to the more reasonable level

recently. Do not feel year after year increases above cost of living justified, as was done in past.

Can administration costs be cut? - rather than things that benefit students?

6/2/2014 10:45 AM

8 Middle school continues to be a not pleasant place to send your child. No accountabil i ty among

staff and administrators for a toxic environment for kids. Your kid is a number who is expected to do

XYZ but XYZ is not easily accessible - needs to be more customer service focused for example - if

homework is so important why don't teachers post it daily on our website with sheets and links? No

partnership with parents at middle l evel and expec tations are bi zarre.

6/2/2014 10:24 AM

9 I think always, always music education should be quality. It's been proven that music enhances a

student's learning. It is a big plus. And student/teacher ratio should be no greater than 25:1.

6/2/2014 9:48 AM

10 I am very thankful that there are people willing to take on the job of creating the school budget. It

is not an easy job. The programs Guilde rland offers are all good. T he em ployees of GCSD are al l

reliable . Thank you.

5/28/2014 2:35 PM

11 Some school distric ts run on less money than our l ibrary budget. 5/28/2014 2:30 PM

12 This is not a time to raise taxes. We are taxed already for beyond the value we receive. You should

be reducing the budget.

5/28/2014 2:11 PM

13 I believe that the top level management is grossly overpaid. While the excuse is the need to recruit

top notc h di strict superintendents, we need to be able to all ocate more funds toward recruiting and

sustaining our teachers!

5/28/2014 1:56 PM

14 We sti ll spend too m uc h on adm ini strators whi le l ayi ng off teac hi ng staff 5/28/2014 12:51 PM

15 I feel that less should be spent on sports and more on education that will better benefit students as

they mature into the real world!

5/28/2014 12:06 PM



43/81

16 Please support the children of this district by presenting a budget that meets the needs of

educati on. I am ti red of the program c uts especi ally the m usic department. It is demoralizing to the

excell ent facul ty and excell ent program they have worked hard to buil d.

5/28/2014 12:02 PM

17 I believe the the quality of education has deteriorated in the past 5-8 years - mainly due to staff

reductions, program reductions. I do not agree with tax cap at the expense of students - special

education has taken such a hit that I believe these students are in larger groups - individual

attention has suffered - the cutting of aids has truly short changed the special needs students -

foreign language that was such stellar program, begi nning i n elem entary and c ontinuing on, is a

program I would love to see reinstated. Obviously I would have voted for a higher tax increase in

order to improve the programs - and bring back more staff members.

5/28/2014 11:49 AM

18 Thanks! 5/28/2014 10:21 AM

19 I a lways support education. I t is extremely important to me. We need excel lent shools. 5/28/2014 10:20 AM

20 I attend the Guilderland schools 5/28/2014 10:05 AM

21 I can not emphasize enough how vitally important it is, in my opinion, that we maintain the music

program with the highl y quali fied, tal ented and com passionate m usic teachers we are so fortunate

to have in our AWARD WINNING music program. Every teacher that has been reduced to part time,

or lost their job completely equals one kid lost to the cracks of such a large school system. Every

teacher my three very different ch ild ren have had through the years - elementary through high

school have been positively impacted by these professionals who are able to c onnect to eac h of

them because they KNEW them AND because they cared. Please restore the entire music program

to all full time staffing levels!!!

5/28/2014 10:01 AM

22 We need to increase spending for our schools. The tax cap will shortly destroy quality education in

our state.

5/28/2014 9:43 AM

23 When can the voters vote online? It's already being done by members of the U.S. Armed Forces!

So why not us! You would set a muc h higher turnout and it would be so muc h more convenient for

distric t residents as well .

5/28/2014 9:32 AM

24 Good schools are important. Cuts hurt the kids. Poor schools will hurt property values. Smart parents

want to buy in good school s-not cheap schools

5/28/2014 9:22 AM

25 We are pleased with the quality of education, the teachers, and administration of the schools

Budgets are reasonable

5/28/2014 9:16 AM

26 Stop increase spending, cut down on administration - that does nothing to come up with creativeideas for how to get better education to our school chi ldren. 5/28/2014 9:07 AM

27 The most discouraging item on the budget is the loss of the TA's. They are an integral part of our

programs and the chi ldren derive great benefit from the extra hands and instruction i n the

classroom. With cuts and increased class sizes, more adult help in the classroom is CRUCIAL.

Please do not cut the TA's. Thank you for all of your hard work on this years budget.

5/27/2014 4:41 PM

28 Stop laying off teaching assistants. These people separate our district from other districts. Lay off

people in district office.

5/27/2014 4:39 PM

29 Thanks for all you do and your service! 5/27/2014 4:29 PM

30 I vote per the issues, topic s and requests. Why is T HAT not an opti on? 5/27/2014 4:07 PM

31 The schools should start thinking of the students and their needs. If it means saying no to the state

or Feds they should do so. Teaching to the test is wrong, they are making our students into lesserpeople.

5/27/2014 3:59 PM

32 - consolidate non essential services such as transportation and bus maintenance with neighboring

school districts -privative non educ ational servic es (janitorial, food service, maintenance ect.) -

push back against state mandates harder -provide newsletter on contract negotiations to keep

residents informed of what is being offered and potenti al i mpac t on budget -allow for private

funding for turf athletic fields at GHS and FMS

5/27/2014 3:56 PM

33 I support small classes and TA's in the younger grades and would l ike to see that continue 5/27/2014 3:48 PM

34 Keep up the good work. 5/27/2014 3:21 PM

35 This town has become unaffordable for l ifelong residents! 5/27/2014 3:03 PM

36 Mixed 5/27/2014 2:20 PM



44/81

37 Varies on % increase 5/27/2014 1:52 PM

38 Give the taxpayers a break. Who here has received a 2+% pay raise over the past five years. Start a

zero-based budget exercise - There is no excuse for rising budgets when enrollment is decreasing.

5/27/2014 1:42 PM

39 Closing one of the elementary schools vs. more teacher cuts. Close a school, please.

Student/teacher ratio is high enough, and maybe too high in middle school/high school. Thank

you for all the art in finding "right" balance.

5/27/2014 1:28 PM

40 I don't like to see all the lay off's. Children's education is important. I don't like common core- it

dumbs down our chi ldren.

5/27/2014 1:23 PM

41 Depends on i ssues. Hope i nterdi sc ipli nary H.S. c lass is reinstated. 5/27/2014 12:26 PM

42 You need to allow people to vote by mail or electronically to get more complete voter

representation.

5/27/2014 12:09 PM

43 Don't have "typical vote" 5/27/2014 12:05 PM

44 I've known Guilderland residents for many years, although I did not live in the district while raising

my fami ly. Residents generall y favor distric t poli ci es and seem happy with the hiring of teachers

and support staff. Newslet ters have demonstrated that ef forts are made to keep very reasonable

class size, and outstanding opportunities for High School students are evident. I was very pleased to

see our superintendent at a recent Mc kownville meeting . She was informative and transparent

about the efforts made despite all the cuts suffered in the past few years.

5/27/2014 11:41 AM

45 I woul d have agree to a hi gher tax i nc rease to save j obs and programs. 5/27/2014 11:27 AM

46 Thank you! My kids have benefi ted f rom the support and kindness o f GHS staf f. 5 /27/2014 11:13 AM

47 I have voted "no" two years in a row. I have watched this administration and board cut, cut, cut. We

have been cut into mere medi ocrity - and I never see problem-solving thinking anymore. Thi s year,

we lose music lessons, elementary support, and X program - we lose unique and important

programs. I have l ost faith in the board and in Dr. Wiles - all they can do is cut. T ime for a

change!!!

5/27/2014 11:04 AM

48 I typically vote yes only because austerity would be worse. 5/27/2014 10:49 AM

49 Please put % of increase in ballot proposal. 5/27/2014 10:32 AM

50 I did not, nor have I ever heard from anyone running for school board, or their views on any issues. I

feel as a taxpayer and voter they should provide thi s to me, rather than me having to depend on i tbeing publi shed i n newspapers, which I do NOT subscribe to. Si nce I do not have chi ldren or

grandchil dren in the school I am usually left in the dark on who these people are. Also - it appears

that in this election I am voting for three individua ls who are running opposed. Whether I vote for

them or not seems to me irrelevant. Thanks.

5/27/2014 10:26 AM

51 You guys do a great job. Thank you. 5/27/2014 10:20 AM

52 My two daughters graduated from Guilderland High School in the 1980's. They received an

excell ent educ ation thanks to the excel lent teac hers they had.

5/27/2014 10:14 AM

53 Whats best I vote 5/27/2014 10:12 AM

54 How can you not cut senior administrative staff after year after year of cuts to

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Guilderland CSD 2014 School Budget Vote Exit Survey Report

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