Good and bad news out of school survey, focus groups

LIMA - The Lima school board heard good news Thursday regarding the November renewal levy, but also heard that the district would likely still have trouble passing a levy for new money.

A recent survey and focus group discussions show people support the renewal, but that new money is unlikely with current economic conditions. It becomes less likely if there is disagreement among board members, said Martin Gould, of Focalize Consulting.

The board hired Gould to conduct the focus groups, which followed a phone survey of 300 residents last spring. Private donations paid Gould and Odesky and Associates, which did the survey.

There has been some discussion over whether the survey and focus groups were a good enough sample. Stan Odesky reported to the board Thursday that 300 was a proper sample, saying there was a 5.7 percent margin of error.

Fifty-seven people indicated they were interested in participating in the focus groups, but only 17 showed up. There were four different sessions. Gould was pleased with the groups, saying he heard much of the same over the four different groups and that everyone participated.

"I was delighted with the quality and level of participation," he said, adding that the focus groups combined with the survey is a good picture of what people are thinking.

The survey and focus groups followed two failed levy attempts. The board has decided not to go back to voters for new money, but does have a five-year, 1.89 mill renewal levy on the November ballot. Sixty-two percent of those who opposed additional money said they would support the renewal, Gould said.

Board member Bobbi McGinnis has never supported going on the ballot. She believes an income tax would be a fairer way to raise the money. Gould reported that if an income tax is considered, it would take a lot of educating the public. Only two people of the 17 knew there had even been talk of an income tax.

The survey showed that opposition to additional money was about the same based on income tax or property tax. McGinnis said she continues to get phone calls and e-mails from people who oppose both additional money and a renewal if it is based on property taxes.

"It surprised me how informed people were on the issue," she said. "I'm getting 20 to 1 against the renewal because it is on property taxes."

When asked why the last levy failed, 48 percent said because of higher taxes, and 33.3 percent said because of the impact levies have on people with fixed incomes. Seventy-five percent said they wanted to support the schools, but couldn't afford more taxes. Eleven percent said they believed the economy would be the same in six months; 35 percent said it would be worse.

Board member Saul Allen Jr. said the results did not surprise him, saying it is the same he hears from people.

"It is based on people's pockets not necessarily their love or lack of love for the schools," Allen said.

The survey and focus groups also addressed what people think about the school district. Forty percent of those surveyed gave the school district an A or B grade, while 13 percent gave it a D or F.

The focus group indicated that people are concerned about poor test scores and graduation rates, and worried that that money does not get to the classroom. They also are concerned about the number of administrators and said they want better financial disclosure. They say board members should be more involved in levy campaigns.