MIDLAND I.S.D. VOTER SURVEY · OVERVIEW. DISTRIBUTION OF INTERVIEWS BY REGION Baselice &...

MIDLAND I.S.D.

VOTER SURVEY

April 17 - 23, 2019

N = 300 respondents

margin of error: + 5.7%

A separate survey of identical questions was

completed among N=100 staff members.

OVERVIEW

DISTRIBUTION OF INTERVIEWS BY REGION

Baselice & Associates, Inc. Project# 19751

79707

n=100

33%

79705

n=93

31%

Others

n=107

36%

Demographic

considerations

WITHIN region

to be reflective

of likely voters:

Gender

GOP:DEM

Race/Ethnicity

Age

18-34

years

35-44

years

45-54

years

55-64

years

65+

years

Registered

Voters32% 18% 14% 18% 18%

2018 Nov 20% 16% 15% 24% 25%

2016 Nov 20% 17% 16% 23% 24%

2017 Nov 8% 9% 13% 29% 41%

2016 Oct 6% 9% 12% 28% 45%

Average of

high and low14% 13% 14% 26% 34%

Survey N=300 17% 14% 13% 21% 34%

COMPARISON of SAMPLE FILE to RESPONDENTS


GENENAL QUESTIONS

(THE LANDSCAPE)

DISTRICT IMAGEDo you have a strong positive, somewhat positive, somewhat negative,

or strong negative impression of Midland Independent School District?


Positive Negative

59% Parents 34%

40% Non-Parents 40%

69% Staff 24%

44% Vote all 44%

14%15%

13%

33%

25%

47%

15%

38%

Strong

Somewhat

Positive

Strong

Somewhat

NegativeNo Opinion /

Unsure


Excellent Depends /

some

better/worse

than others

FairGood Poor Unsure /

refused

4%

28%

44%

20%

1% 3%

QUALITY OF EDUCATION

Would you rate the quality of education in Midland ISD as...

Ratio of Fair/Poor to Excellent/Good is 2:1

1%

27%

40%

17%

3%11%

Excellent Depends /

some

better/worse

than others

FairGood Poor Unsure /

refused


CONDITION OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS

Would you say that the condition of (Ver Y: junior

high and high) school buildings in Midland ISD are...

Ratio of Fair/Poor to Excellent/Good is 2:1

10% 10%

80%

Has enough Needs moreUnsure / refused


DISTRICT NEEDSDo you think Midland ISD has enough schools and classrooms

to address enrollment growth over the next five years or do you

think more schools and classrooms are needed?

Has enough Needs moreUnsure / refused

33%11%

56%

Do you think Midland ISD has enough money to provide quality schools

and instruction for today’s learners or do you think it needs more?

SPECIFIC ISSUES

GRADE REALIGNMENTStudies show students perform better the fewer school transitions a

student makes throughout their life. Would you support or oppose a

grade realignment to move the 9th grade to the high school and

make the elementary schools grades K through 5th, and junior high

schools grades 6th through 8th in order to lessen the number of

school transitions and expand academic options for 9th graders?


58%

7%

12%

18%

5%

77%

7%17%

Strongly

Somewhat

Support

Strongly

Somewhat

OpposeDepends / Unsure

6TH THRU 12TH GRADE CAMPUS


Would you support or oppose the district re-purposing an existing school

building as a 6 through 12 campus, where part of the building would be

walled off as a junior high school for grades 6 through 8, and part of the

building would serve as a specialized academy for grades 9 to 12?

Support Oppose

74% 18-34 19%

57% 35-44 35%

54% 45-54 37%

52% 55-64 40%

38% 65 + 46%

26%

10%

25%

26%

12%

52%

10%

37%

Strongly

Somewhat

Support

Strongly

Somewhat

OpposeDepends / Unsure


RE-PURPOSING MIDLAND HS

Midland High School is over capacity and cannot be expanded. Would

you support or oppose a plan to build a new school for Midland High

School in a different location and re-purpose the existing building for a

specialized academy like a Career Technology Education Center?

76%

4%

19%

Support OpposeUnsure /

refused

The cost of building a high school starts at around $180 million,

on the low end. If a new Midland High School is built it would

become bigger than Lee High School. Would you rather...

PREFERENCE FOR LEE H.S. IF MILAND H.S. REBUILT


Also build a new Lee High

School at the same time so

the schools are the same size,

configuration and condition

33%

Wait and address Lee High

School in a future bond to

keep taxes lower56%

Unsure / Refused 11%

Version X: Currently, both high schools each have about 2,300 students in grades 10 to 12.

Moving ninth grade into the high school campuses in the realignment would result in high

schools having about 3,300 students each. And, growth projections show the district

enrollment will grow by almost 3,000 over the next ten years. Version Y: Midland and Lee

High Schools are currently at capacity.

In order to address the increased enrollment, which of the following do you most prefer…

NUMBER OF HIGH SCHOOLS


Keep Midland as a large two high

school district, growing the high

schools to as much as 4,500

students each

12%

Adding one new high school for a

total of three smaller campuses of

up to 3,000 students each48%

Adding two new high schools for

a total of four smaller campuses

of up to 2,250 students each

32%

Unsure / Refused 8%

Two Three Four

Parents 5% 49% 42%

Non-Par 15% 48% 26%

Staff 8% 55% 36%

Seniors 20% 43% 24%

Votes All 12% 47% 32%

Larger schools limit student opportunities, as there are only so many

seats available in certain specialized classes and electives, and so many

spots in the fine arts and athletics programs. Adding high schools will

give Midland students more opportunities in and out of the classroom.

Hearing this, which one of the following do you most prefer…

IMPACT OF LARGER SCHOOLS ON PREFERENCE


Keep the district as

having two high schools 14%

Add one new high

school for a total of three 54%

Add two new high

schools for a total of four 29%

Unsure / Refused 3%

What is more important to you…

EQUAL IN SIZE vs. MORE CHOICES


All high schools are equal

in their condition and size 33%

High school students are

offered more choice

through a variety of cutting

edge academic programs

57%


SCENARIOS FOR HIGH SCHOOLSNet

SupportSupport Oppose

Depends /

Unsure


45% 51%

Q26. Build a new Midland High School

now which would be larger than

Lee High School, but also promise

to build a new Lee High School in

the future, which would keep the

two high school system but lead

to even larger schools.

-6%

4%

36% 60%

Q27. Spend twice as much money to

build both a new Midland High

School and Lee High School now,

which would keep the two high

school system but lead to even

larger schools.

-24%

4%

70% 26%

Q28. Build a third high school that

would be larger than Midland High

School or Lee High School which

would require rezoning of

attendance boundaries to keep

Midland and Lee but allow for

more student opportunities.

+43%

4%

Intensity 2.92 to 1 against

Intensity 2.57 to 1 in favor

Intensity 1.82 to 1 against

INITIAL BOND BALLOT Would you vote for or against the issuance of $550 million

in bonds for Midland ISD to construct, renovate and equip

school buildings with the levying of a property tax thereof?


30%

6%

28%

21%

15%

51%

6%

43%

Strongly

Somewhat

For

Strongly

Somewhat

AgainstDepends / Unsure

For Agn

63% Parents 30%

45% Non-Parents 50%

86% Staff 10%

42% Seniors 53%

42% Votes All 52%

57% Votes Most 36%

56% V. Some-None 39%

And in your own words, please tell me why you would

vote against / are hesitant to vote for the bond?

WHY NOT FOR BOND


Fiscal

Mismanage-

ment

17%12%

5% 3% 3% 2% 2% 1% 3%

Taxes /

Debt

Not neededNeed

more info

Conditional

statements

Other

criticisms

Focus on

educationOther

comments

Don't know

Percentages are among the total sample (51% favor bond)

BOND AMOUNTS


$550 million in bonds with

a property tax increase of

$7.72 per month per

$100,000 taxable value



$10.04 per month per




$5.40 per month per


18%

38%20%

19%

38%

5%

57%

Strongly

Strongly

Somewhat

Somewhat

For AgainstDepends

/ Unsure

15%

47%

19%

15%

34%

4%

62%

Strongly

Strongly

Somewhat

Somewhat

For AgainstDepends

/ Unsure

Depends

/ Unsure

25%

32%

22% 16%

47%

5%

48%

Strongly

Strongly

SomewhatSomewhat

For Against

If you knew Midland ISD had a ten year facility plan, which would you prefer...

TEN YEAR FACILITY PLAN


A single bond of a higher

amount to do it all at once

with higher taxes37%

Multiple bonds of lesser

amounts over time with some

schools getting improvements

before others

50%


NET

(FAVOR -

OPPOSE)

Q29

Midland ISD is projected to grow by 7,400 students over the next ten

years. This bond will (Version X: alleviate overcrowding at the secondary

level / Version Y: allow the district to plan for and accommodate this

growth). +64%

Q30

The average age of the district's junior high and high school buildings is

53 years old and this bond would provide for maintenance and repair of

these aging buildings such as upgrades to roofing, air conditioning,

plumbing and electrical systems. +74%

Q31

The bond could allow for improvements to safety and security like new

fire alarms, lighting, fencing, surveillance cameras, more secure

entrances and central lock-down capabilities. +77%

Q32

The bond could allow for new turf and tracks at all district middle schools

which will improve safety for student athletes and save money on water. +45%

Q33

The bond could provide for technology improvements such as new

computer labs, instructional devices for teachers such as touch screens,

and handheld devices for students like laptops and ipads. +52%

Q34This bond could provide new academies and instructional spaces to

expand educational choice and opportunities for students. +58%

Q35

This bond could allow for expanded career technology education

programs which provide students with hands-on learning in a variety of

fields and prepare them for college and jobs after high school. +80%Baselice & Associates, Inc. Project# 19751

BOND PROJECTS

NET

(FAVOR -

OPPOSE)

Q36

An advisory committee of citizens, teachers, parents, and community leaders met over ten

months to study and prioritize the district's needs and this bond proposal is based on their

recommendations. +56%

Q37

MISD has maintained the same M&O tax rate for the last 11 years, and it's total tax rate is

(Ver X: actually lower than it was 11 years ago / Ver Y: among the lowest among peer

districts). +45%

Q38Over the last four years, MISD has refinanced its debt three times, saving taxpayers almost

$22 million. +65%

Q39

The last bond in 2012 was primarily aimed at elementary schools and the district has not had

a bond to significantly address middle schools or high schools in ten years. This bond will

address a number of long-awaited needs. +61%

Q40Bond money is not subject to re-capture by the state. (Ver X: Every penny / Ver Y: One

hundred percent of the money) from this bond will stay in Midland ISD. +84%

Q41

Because of escalating construction costs, every year delayed implementing a bond of $550

million will cost the taxpayer an additional $22 million. Therefore passing this bond package

now will save taxpayer money. +46%

Q42

Existing state law freezes property tax rates of homeowners 65 years of age or older.

Seniors who file their exemption will not have to pay any additional taxes associated with this

bond. +76%

Q43

Some people say this bond includes too many unnecessary projects and voters should vote

the proposal down and ask for something that addresses only the most critical needs. Does

this make you favor or oppose the bond? +34%

Q44

Midland ISD recently handed over control of one of their schools to IDEA charter schools.

Some may think if they had not done this, they would not need so much bond money. Does

this make you favor or oppose the bond? +6%

OTHER BOND MESSAGES

INFORMED BOND BALLOT Having heard more about it, if an election were held today

would you vote for or against the issuance of $550 million in

bonds for Midland ISD to construct, renovate, and equip

school buildings with the levying of a property tax thereof?


40%

4%

22%

23%

11%

63%

4%

33%Strongly

Somewhat

For

Strongly

Somewhat

AgainstDepends / Unsure

For Agn

81% Parents 17%

54% Non-Parents 41%

88% Staff 10%

50% Seniors 44%

53% Votes All 43%

66% Votes Most 28%

74% V. Some-None 22%

63% 4% 33%


COMPARISON OF INITIAL & INFORMED BOND BALLOT

Informed bond ballot

(Q45)

Initial bond ballot

(Q3)

For AgainstDepends /

Unsure

51% 6% 43%For AgainstDepends /

Unsure

46% 28%Solidifiers & Switchers

17%

4%

4%Stayed

For

Switched

For

Depends /

Unsure

Switched

Against

Stayed

Against


Total

Sample

(N=300)

Parent

(n=102)

Non-

Parent

(n=198)

65+ yrs

(n=101)

Staff

Over-

sample

(n=103)

Lee HS

Zone

(n=168)

Midland

HS Zone

(n=132)

Q29

Midland ISD is projected to grow by 7,400 students over the next ten years. This bond

will (Version X: alleviate overcrowding at the secondary level / Version Y: allow the

district to plan for and accommodate this growth). 1.8 9.1 4.2 7.2 14.1 5.7 8.9

Q30

The average age of the district's junior high and high school buildings is 53 years old

and this bond would provide for maintenance and repair of these aging buildings such

as upgrades to roofing, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems. 3.9 16.5 1.7 2.0 6.9 2.7 3.1

Q31

The bond could allow for improvements to safety and security like new fire alarms,

lighting, fencing, surveillance cameras, more secure entrances and central lock-down

capabilities. 3.0 1.4 3.8 2.0 6.9 2.9 4.5

Q32The bond could allow for new turf and tracks at all district middle schools which will

improve safety for student athletes and save money on water. 12.2 7.9 11.0 10.0 3.8 12.4 13.1

Q33

The bond could provide for technology improvements such as new computer labs,

instructional devices for teachers such as touch screens, and handheld devices for

students like laptops and ipads. 3.1 13.5 4.8 3.2 9.0 10.6 5.9

Q34This bond could provide new academies and instructional spaces to expand

educational choice and opportunities for students. 1.7 1.4 4.6 1.6 3.2 5.5 2.1

Q35

This bond could allow for expanded career technology education programs which

provide students with hands-on learning in a variety of fields and prepare them for

college and jobs after high school. 3.0 0.9 2.1 4.3 10.7 4.3 7.0

Q36

An advisory committee of citizens, teachers, parents, and community leaders met over

ten months to study and prioritize the district's needs and this bond proposal is based

on their recommendations. 12.3 6.5 12.8 10.9 4.3 10.7 10.0

Q37

MISD has maintained the same M&O tax rate for the last 11 years, and it's total tax

rate is (Ver X: actually lower than it was 11 years ago / Ver Y: among the lowest among

peer districts). 1.1 5.1 0.7 2.3 1.0 1.2 3.1

Q38Over the last four years, MISD has refinanced its debt three times, saving taxpayers

almost $22 million. 4.7 10.7 5.9 6.8 5.4 2.8 11.0

Q39

The last bond in 2012 was primarily aimed at elementary schools and the district has

not had a bond to significantly address middle schools or high schools in ten years.

This bond will address a number of long-awaited needs. 5.3 4.9 3.8 4.4 19.8 6.7 0.5

Q40Bond money is not subject to re-capture by the state. (Ver X: Every penny / Ver Y: One

hundred percent of the money) from this bond will stay in Midland ISD. 7.9 6.0 3.3 6.0 5.0 5.6 1.9

Q41

Because of escalating construction costs, every year delayed implementing a bond of

$550 million will cost the taxpayer an additional $22 million. Therefore passing this bond

package now will save taxpayer money. 15.2 14.8 9.4 6.0 33.3 14.2 9.9

Q42

Existing state law freezes property tax rates of homeowners 65 years of age or older.

Seniors who file their exemption will not have to pay any additional taxes associated

with this bond. 2.8 11.8 5.9 3.5 3.7 0.6 5.1

MESSAGE MATRIX

The bond could allow for new turf and

tracks at all district middle schools

which will improve safety for student

athletes and save money on water

(Q32).

Because of escalating construction costs, every year delayed implementing a

bond of $550 million will cost the taxpayer an additional $22 million. Therefore

passing this bond package now will save taxpayer money (Q41).

An advisory committee of citizens,

teachers, parents, and community

leaders met over ten months to study

and prioritize the district's needs and

this bond proposal is based on their

recommendations (Q36).

Total Sample

An advisory committee of citizens,

teachers, parents, and community

leaders met over ten months to study

and prioritize the district's needs and

this bond proposal is based on their

recommendations (Q36).

The bond could allow for new turf and

tracks at all district middle schools

which will improve safety for student

athletes and save money on water

(Q32).

Non-Parent

The bond could provide for

technology improvements such as

new computer labs, instructional

devices for teachers such as touch

screens, and handheld devices for

students like laptops and ipads (Q33).

The average age of the district's junior

high and high school buildings is 53

years old and this bond would provide

for maintenance and repair of these

aging buildings such as upgrades to

roofing, air conditioning, plumbing

and electrical systems (Q30).

Parent


Bond money is not subject to re-

capture by the state. (Ver X: Every

penny / Ver Y: One hundred percent of

the money) from this bond will stay in

Midland ISD (Q40).

Over the last four years, MISD has

refinanced its debt three times, saving

taxpayers almost $22 million (Q38).Existing state law freezes property tax

rates of homeowners 65 years of age

or older. Seniors who file their

exemption will not have to pay any

additional taxes associated with this

bond (Q42).

Existing state law freezes property tax

rates of homeowners 65 years of age

or older. Seniors who file their

exemption will not have to pay any

additional taxes associated with this

bond (Q42).

CONCLUSIONS

All three bond amounts (with taxes) resulted in more intense opposition than

support. This indicates any amount chosen ($400-$700M) will require

communication about how it will be used. Voters prefer multiple bonds over

time rather than one all at once.

4

Midland ISD has a 1.2 to 1 positive to negative image ratio. Nearly one-third

of respondents rate the quality of education as good or excellent while nearly

two-thirds rate the quality of education as fair or poor.1


3

Opposition on the initial ballot is driven by concerns about taxes and

criticism of district spending. Only 2% say it is not needed. In fact, four-out-

of-five respondents say more schools and classrooms are needed and 57%

rate the condition of the buildings as fair and poor.

5

Respondents are supportive of the grade re-alignment. Just over half of

respondents are supportive of the 6-12 campus (with older voters more

opposed). A large majority of respondents (80%) want more than two high

schools, and a majority place a preference of choice in academics (57%)

over schools of equal size and condition (33%).

2

Intensity levels on the initial ballot indicate a toss-up if an election were held

today, with the most likely voters leaning against. After hearing more about

it, a majority of respondents - including the most likely voters - are in favor

of the bond.

MIDLAND I.S.D. VOTER SURVEY · OVERVIEW. DISTRIBUTION OF INTERVIEWS BY REGION Baselice &...

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