1470 Maria Lane, Ste. 315 - Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Survey Results Presentation for New Haven Unified School District

by

Isom Advisors, a Division of Urban Futures, Inc. May 2019

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New Haven Unified School District There are 39,345 registered voters in the District

!  The New Haven Unified School District is currently assessing the feasibility of placing a general obligation bond measure on an upcoming ballot.

!  A survey was conducted from Tuesday April 30th through Thursday May 2nd to assess support for the proposed bond measure.

!  The survey tested voter attitudes regarding the District, projects, and tax tolerances for a possible school facilities improvement bond program.

!  402 households were contacted, which resulted in an overall margin of error of +/- 4.86%.

Methodology

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New Haven Unified School District Majority of voters satisfied with the quality of education

Right Direction

37%

Don't Know 21%

Wrong Direction

42%

Excellent 16%

Good 40%

Fair 28%

Don't Know 12%

Poor 4%

!  Generally speaking, would you say education in California is headed in the right direction or the wrong direction? !  From what you know or what you’ve

heard, would you rate the quality of education provided by the New Haven Unified School District as Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor?

General Questions

Yes - Currently

35%

Yes - In the Past 19%

No - Never 46%

!  Do you have any children or grandchildren who are now attending school in the New Haven Unified School District?

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New Haven Unified School District

General Questions Voters are supportive of the District

!  Now I would like to ask you several questions regarding different aspects of the New Haven Unified School District. For each please tell me whether you would rate it is as Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor?

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

District's job at managing finances

Board of Education

Condition of classrooms and facilities

Principals

Teachers

Excellent Good Fair Don't Know Poor

5

New Haven Unified School District Majority of voters believe in more funding

Agree 93%

Disagree 5%

Don't Know

2%

!  Good schools help improve property values?

!  Because the state continues to reduce funding for facility improvements such as the renovation and modernization of classrooms, local voters need to do more to protect the quality of facilities in their local public schools?

Agree 82%

Disagree 12%

Don't Know

6%

General Questions

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New Haven Unified School District Support for measure is above the Prop. 39 55% threshold

“To provide safe and modern schools; modernize outdated classrooms and school facilities; make safety and security improvements, and construct workforce housing to attract and retain quality teachers and staff, shall the New Haven Unified School District issue $198.0 million of bonds at legal rates, levying an estimated 6 cents per $100 of assessed value generating on average $12.8 million annually for approximately 30 years, with annual audits, independent citizens’ oversight, NO money for salaries and all money staying local?”

!  At this time, the New Haven Unified School District is looking to make classroom and school facility improvements and is considering placing a school improvement bond measure before voters in your community on an upcoming ballot. Let me read you the proposed measure:

Ballot Measure

Yes 60.0%

Lean Yes 2.0%

Undecided 10.2%

Lean No 1.0%

No 26.9%

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New Haven Unified School District All projects tested below received 75% support and above

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Upgrade inadequate electrical systems

Make health, safety and security improvements, including fencing, camera and communications systems, and door locks

Repair or replace deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems

Improve student access to computers and technology

Modernize outdated classrooms, restrooms and school facilities

Repair or replace leaky roofs

Provide updated career technical education programs for career readiness

Much More Likely Somewhat More Likely No Difference Don't Know Somewhat Less Likely Much Less Likely

!  For each project, please tell me whether it would make you More Likely or Less Likely to vote in favor of the measure if you knew funds would be used to:

55%

G.O. Bond Projects

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New Haven Unified School District All projects tested below received 55% support and above

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Construct housing for teachers and staff to allow them to live and be part of the Union City community (SSB)

Construct workforce housing to retain and attract high quality teachers and staff (SSB)

Construct housing for teachers and staff and use the rental income to improve educational programs in the district (SSA)

Construct workforce housing to provide affordable housing for teachers and staff (SSA)

Make energy efficiency improvements

Replace old portables with new permanent classrooms

Much More Likely Somewhat More Likely No Difference Don't Know Somewhat Less Likely Much Less Likely

!  For each project, please tell me whether it would make you More Likely or Less Likely to vote in favor of the measure if you knew funds would be used to:

55%

G.O. Bond Projects

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New Haven Unified School District Voters were sensitive to highest tax rate

Tax Tolerances

!  The proposed measure would cost property owners $60 per $100,000 of assessed value per year or approximately $5 per $100,000 of assessed valuation per month?

$60 year

Yes 51%

Lean Yes 1%

Undecided 6%

No 42%

Yes 54%

Undecided 6%

No 40%

$5.00 month

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New Haven Unified School District Support increased with lower tax rates

Tax Tolerances

!  The proposed measure would cost property owners $48 per $100,000 of assessed value per year or approximately $4 per $100,000 of assessed valuation per month?

$48 year

Yes 57%

Lean Yes 1%

Undecided 5%

No 37%

Yes 55%

Lean Yes 1%

Undecided 5%

Lean No 1%

No 38%

$4.00 month

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New Haven Unified School District Support increased with lower tax rates

Tax Tolerances

!  The proposed measure would cost property owners $36 per $100,000 of assessed value per year or approximately $3 per $100,000 of assessed valuation per month?

$36 year

Yes 67%

Lean Yes 2%

Undecided 4%

Lean No 1%

No 26%

Yes 62%

Lean Yes 1%

Undecided 5%

No 32%

$3.00 month

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New Haven Unified School District Support increased after voter education

Yes 65.7%

Lean Yes 1.0%

Undecided 6.0%

Lean No 0.5%

No 26.9%

!  Now that you have heard some more information regarding the proposed projects and cost, if the election were held today, would you vote YES in favor of the measure or would you vote NO to oppose the measure?

Ballot Measure

Pre-education

Yes 60.0% Lean Yes

2.0%

Undecided 10.2%

Lean No 1.0%

No 26.9%

Conclusions and Recommendations

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New Haven Unified School District Majority of voters believe in more funding

Conclusions and Recommendations

!  Majority of voters believe the District provides an “Excellent” or “Good” education.

!  Initial support for the measure was 60.0% Yes (2.0% Lean Yes), with 10.2% Undecided; after education support for the measure was 65.7% Yes (1.0% Lean Yes), with 6.0% Undecided.

!  All projects tested received over 55%.

!  There was some tax rate sensitivity to the highest tax rate tested, but support increase with lower tax rates.

!  Support is above the 55% voter approval threshold; we recommend the District continue to reach out to and educate the community and plan on placing a bond measure on the March 2020 ballot.