Hello, my name is _________________. May I please speak with . I'm
with The Nelson Report, a public opinion research firm. We are conducting a brief survey today in your area and would like to include your household's opinions. May I please take a few minutes of your time? I promise I’m not selling anything.
First of all, are you registered to vote in the state of Oregon? (INTERVIEWER: IF NO, POLITELY TERMINATE)
A. As far as you are concerned, what are two or three of the most serious problems facing Roseburg School District today? (PROBE)
1. How would you rate the quality of education provided by the Roseburg School District ~ EXCELLENT, PRETTY GOOD, ONLY FAIR or POOR?
1. Excellent (GO TO “B”) 11
2. Pretty Good (GO TO “B”) 43 3. Only Fair (GO TO “B”) 23 4. Poor (GO TO “B”) 6 5. Not Sure/Refused (SKIP TO #2) 17
B Why would you rate the quality of education of Roseburg School District as (EXCELLENT) (PRETTY GOOD) (ONLY FAIR) (POOR)? (PROBE)
2. Do you believe the Roseburg School District spends the money it receives wisely?
1. Yes (SKIP TO #3) 29
2. No (GO TO “C”) 36 3. Not Sure/Refused (SKIP TO #3) 35
C. (NO ONLY FROM #2) Why (DON’T) you believe Roseburg School District spends the money it receives wisely? (PROBE)
Page 1 February 8, 2011
Prepared By The Nelson Report
The Roseburg School District is currently considering two potential operating levy options and would like the community’s input before making a decision. The first option is a three year $4 million operating levy that would allow the district to continue providing core academic programs, electives, maintain current average class sizes and fund technology replacements and software. The levy would also enable the district to continue major maintenance projects in school buildings throughout the district, purchase textbooks and other learning materials. This levy would raise $4 million and each year for three years and would cost property taxpayers approximately $1.25 per thousand dollars of assessed value.
3. If an election were held today, would you FAVOR or OPPOSE a three year $4 million operating Levy at a tax rate of approximately $1.25 per thousand?
1. Favor (GO TO “D”) 45
2. Oppose (GO TO “D”) 49 3. Not Sure/Refused 6
D. Why would you (FAVOR) (OPPOSE) a 3 year $4 million operating levy at a tax rate of $1.25 per thousand? (PROBE)
The second option is a three year $3 million operating levy. This proposal would allow the district to maintain some core academic programs, electives and current service levels, but would not include major building maintenance, technology replacements and curriculum materials. This proposal would raise $3 million each year for 3 years and would cost property taxpayers approximately 95-cents per thousand dollars of assessed value.
4. If an election were held today, would you FAVOR or OPPOSE a three year $3 million operating levy at a tax rate of approximately 95-cents per thousand?
1. Favor (GO TO “E”) 29
2. Oppose (GO TO “E”) 64 4. Not Sure/Refused 7
E. Why would you (FAVOR) (OPPOSE) a three year $3 million operating levy at a tax rate of 95-cents per thousand? (PROBE)
Page 2 February 8, 2011
Prepared By The Nelson Report
Now I am going to ask you a variety of questions concerning Roseburg School District’s proposed three year $4 million operating levy. For each one, I will give you some information and ask whether, with that information, you would FAVOR or OPPOSE the levy.
5. If you knew passage of the proposed levy would allow the school district to maintain core academic programs and electives in Roseburg School District, would you FAVOR or OPPOSE a three year $4 million operating levy?
1. Favor 50 2. Oppose 41 3. Not Sure/Refused 9
6. If you knew without the passage of the proposed operating levy, the district may be forced to cut an additional 26 teaching positions which would affect all school service levels, would you FAVOR or OPPOSE the three year $4 million operating levy?
1. Favor 42 2. Oppose 51 3. Not Sure/Refused 7
7. If you knew passage of an operating levy would allow the school district to continue implementing its computer and technology plan to keep computers and software current, would you FAVOR or OPPOSE a three year $4 million operating levy?
1. Favor 53 2. Oppose 42 3. Not Sure/Refused 5
8. If you knew the district has already cut $5.5 million from its operating budget over the past 2 years due to reduced state funding, would you FAVOR or OPPOSE the three year $4 million operating levy?
1. Favor 45 2. Oppose 44 3. Not Sure/Refused 11
9. If you knew passage of the proposed three year $4 million operating levy would cost property taxpayers an additional $1.25 per thousand or $188 per year for the owner of a home with an assessed value of $150,000, would you FAVOR or OPPOSE an operating levy?
1. Favor 46 2. Oppose 46 3. Not Sure/Refused 8
Page 3 February 8, 2011
Prepared By The Nelson Report
10. If you knew the proposed three year $4 million operating levy would provide funding to help the district replace outdated instructional materials and textbooks for improved student learning, would you FAVOR or OPPOSE the operating levy?
1. Favor 46 2. Oppose 46 3. Not Sure/Refused 8
11. If you knew without the passage of the proposed operating levy the district would be forced to cut vocational classes such as automotive, welding and woodworking, as well as some extra-curricular activities at the high school level, would you FAVOR or OPPOSE the three year $4 million operating levy?
1. Favor 48 2. Oppose 46 3. Not Sure/Refused 6
12. If you knew the district has already cut 25 full time employees and may be forced to cut an additional 41.5 employees, would you FAVOR or OPPOSE the three year $4 million operating levy which would prevent these cuts?
1. Favor 47 2. Oppose 43 3. Not Sure/Refused 10
13. If you knew passage of the operating levy would enable the district to maintain most of its current programs and services aimed at improving student achievement, would you FAVOR or OPPOSE the proposed three year $4 million operating levy?
1. Favor 49 2. Oppose 42 3. Not Sure/Refused 9
14. If you knew the district would be unable to continue offering music classes to K-5 students if the proposed three year $4 million operating levy doesn’t pass, would you FAVOR or OPPOSE the proposal?
1. Favor 43 2. Oppose 47 3. Not Sure/Refused 10
Page 4 February 8, 2011
Prepared By The Nelson Report
15. If you knew with the passage of the proposed operating levy, the district would be able to continue its preventative maintenance schedule such as replacing old/outdated roofs and other similar projects, would you FAVOR or OPPOSE the three year $4 million operating levy?
1. Favor 55 2. Oppose 39 3. Not Sure/Refused 6
16. If you knew the smaller three year $3 million operating levy would cost property taxpayers an additional 95-cents per thousand or $143 per year for the owner of a home with an assessed value of $150,000, would you FAVOR or OPPOSE the smaller operating levy proposal?
1. Favor 38 2. Oppose 53 3. Not Sure/Refused 9
I will now read you a list of services that could be funded through a three year $4 million operating levy. On a scale of one to four with "1" representing a LOW PRIORITY and "4" representing a HIGH PRIORITY, please tell me how you would rate each item or service. (INTERVIEWER: PLEASE ROTATE)
17. Maintain existing vocational classes such as automotive, welding, and woodshop?
11-15-25-46-3
18. Replace old/outdated computers, software and maintain current technology?
15-18-28-36-3
19. Continue offering music classes to K-5 students?
21-22-20-33-4
20. Replace outdated instructional materials and textbooks for improved student learning?
16-19-22-39-4
Page 5 February 8, 2011
Prepared By The Nelson Report
21. Maintain current academic programs and electives?
9-14-26-47-4
22. Enable the district to continue maintaining a full calendar year for students?
12-9-18-57-4
23. Prevent an additional 41.5 full-time employee position cuts?
20-18-15-42-5
24. Enable the district to continue maintaining its school buildings such as replacing old/outdated roofs and other maintenance issues?
11-17-25-44-3
25. Maintain current participation costs for athletics and extra-curricular activities?
22-24-29-21-4
26. Given the anticipated overall taxes, which of the proposals would you support ~ a three year $4 MILLION OPERATING LEVY that would maintain existing programs and services at a cost of $1.25 per thousand, or a three year $3 MILLION OPERATING LEVY that would cut some programs and services from the district’s budget at a cost of 95-cents per thousand?
1. $4 Million Operating Levy 38
2. $3 Million Operating Levy 15 3. Either Proposal 5 4. Neither 36 5. Other 0 6. Not Sure/Refused 6
Now I am going to read you several statements some people have made concerning Roseburg School District and its operating levy proposals. For each statement, I would like you to tell me if you AGREE or DISAGREE with that statement.
1. Agree 2. Disagree 3. Not Sure/Refused
Page 6 February 8, 2011
Prepared By The Nelson Report
27. In today’s economy, I just can’t afford to pay additional taxes for school district operations, even if it means drastic cuts to the district’s budget. I’m voting no.
46-46-8
28. Maintaining the quality of education provided by Roseburg Public Schools depends on the passage of the district’s proposed three year $4 million operating levy. This proposal will ensure our students receive the technology, textbooks and software they need for improved student learning. I’m voting yes.
50-42-8
29. The district doesn’t need an operating levy. If they closed one of its nine elementary schools it would reduce the need for additional funding. I oppose both operating levy proposals.
42-47-11
30. I would support a three year $3 million operating levy, because the cost to taxpayers is more affordable.
32-60-8
31. Our district can’t afford to cut 38,000 teaching hours from its budget. I support a three year $4 million operating levy.
