San Marcos Unified School District

Survey Conducted:March 10-15, 2010

220-2859

2

13%

14%

13%

32%

31%

30%

8%

8%

23%

24%

25%

24%

23%

23% 9%

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

Exc. Good Fair Poor/Very Poor DK/NA

Rating On Quality of Education Provided

3. In general, how would you rate the quality of education provided by each of the following institutions? Would you say it is excellent, good, fair, poor or very poor?

The San Marcos Unified School District

Your local public elementary school

Your local public high school

3

38%

35%

38%

32%

32%

29%

27%

20%

20%

19%

21%30%

13%

10%

22%

14%

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

Great Need Some Need Little/No Need DK/NA

Need For Additional Funding

4. Generally speaking, would you say that ________________ has a great need for additional funding, some need, a little need, or no real need for additional funding?

The San Marcos Unified School District

Your local public elementary school

San Marcos High School

Mission Hills High School

4

Repair-Oriented Ballot Language

LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD CLASSROOM REPAIR, SAFETY AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT ACT. To improve learning and increase safety by:

• Removing asbestos and lead paint;• Upgrading technology in classrooms, libraries, and science

labs; • Improving heating and ventilation systems to increase energy

efficiency;• Improving access for students with disabilities; and • Improving lighting, fencing and fire safety systems;

Shall San Marcos Unified School District issue $377 million in bonds, with citizens’ oversight, independent audits, NO money for administrators’ salaries with all funds remaining local?

5

35%

12%

10%

5%

10%

23%

5%0% 15% 30% 45% 60%

Definitely yes

Probably yes

Undecided, lean yes

Undecided, lean no

Probably no

Definitely no

Undecided

Total Yes57%

Total No38%

Repair-Oriented Measure Vote

5. I’d like to ask you about a school bond measure for the San Marcos Unified School District that might appear on an upcoming ballot. Let me read the possible language for this measure as it might appear on the ballot. It reads:_________. If the election were held today, would you vote yes in favor of it or no to oppose this bond measure? Split Sample

6

Education-Oriented Ballot Language

LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL QUALITY EDUCATION ACT.

To improve learning, prepare students with 21st Century skills, help attract and retain quality teachers, and offset the impact of severe state budget cuts to local schools by:

• Upgrading technology in classrooms, libraries and science labs; and• Improving schools and adding classrooms to support today’s academic

and safety standards;

Shall San Marcos Unified School District issue $377 million in bonds, with citizens’ oversight, independent audits, NO money for administrators’ salaries with all funds remaining local?

7

30%

16%

9%

7%

11%

22%

5%0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Definitely yes

Probably yes

Undecided, lean yes

Undecided, lean no

Probably no

Definitely no

Undecided

Total Yes55%

Total No40%

Education-Oriented Measure Vote

6. I’d like to ask you about a school bond measure for the San Marcos Unified School District that might appear on an upcoming ballot. Let me read the possible language for this measure as it might appear on the ballot. It reads:_______. If the election were held today, would you vote yes in favor of it or no to oppose this bond measure? Split Sample

8

78%

77%

77%

68%

12%

15%

13%

14%

21%

71% 15%

11%

10%

8%

10%

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

Very/S.W. Acc. S.W./Very Inacc. DK/NA

Statements About SMUSD

11. Now I would like to share with you some statements about the San Marcos Unified School District and its local neighborhood schools. Please tell me if you think each of the following statements is very accurate, somewhat accurate, somewhat inaccurate or very inaccurate. *Split Sample

The student population in our local schools will grow over the next few years

Severe state budget cuts are threatening the quality of education that our local public schools

currently provide

The condition of local schools has a direct effect on property values

Many classrooms in local public schools are overcrowded

Local kids are safe when they are at school

(Ranked by % Total Very/Somewhat Accurate)

9

66%

64%

63%

59%

52%

22%

20%

27%

23%

25%

22% 26%

63% 14%

16%

12%

16%

10%

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

Very/S.W. Acc. S.W./Very Inacc. DK/NA

Continued

11. Now I would like to share with you some statements about the San Marcos Unified School District and its local neighborhood schools. Please tell me if you think each of the following statements is very accurate, somewhat accurate, somewhat inaccurate or very inaccurate. *Split Sample

Many of our local schools are old, deteriorating, run down, and in need of repair

San Marcos USD schools offer students a high quality education

Portable classrooms should only be used on a temporary basis, not permanently

*Local schools are providing skills to students to prepare them for good paying jobs

*Local schools are providing students with 21st Century skills

The San Marcos school district uses its money and resources efficiently

10

79%

74%

71%

66%

66%

65%

12%

18%

16%

15%

23%

18%

23%

68%

10%

11%

6%

7%

8%

14%

12%

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

Ext./Very Impt. S.W. Impt. Not Too Impt.

Possible Aspects of Ballot Measure

12. I am going to read you a list of projects and improvements that might be included in a ballot measure to provide funding for local schools. Please tell me how important each one is to you: extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not too important. ^Not part of Split Sample

(Ranked by % Total Extremely/Very Important)

^Retaining and attracting qualified teachers

^Maintaining Advanced Placement and College Preparatory classes

Removing asbestos and lead paint if found during renovations

Removing asbestos and lead paint

Upgrading technology in classrooms, libraries and science labs

Preventing increases in class sizes

Increasing capacity for vocational education and job training programs

11

65%

64%

63%

63%

62%

60%

60%

22%

21%

27%

27%

23%

24%

30%

27%

63%

11%

9%

8%

13%

10%

12%

6%

12%

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

Ext./Very Impt. S.W. Impt. Not Too Impt.

Continued

12. I am going to read you a list of projects and improvements that might be included in a ballot measure to provide funding for local schools. Please tell me how important each one is to you: extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not too important. ^Not part of Split Sample

Upgrading outdated electrical systems and wiring for computer technology and Internet

access

^Making seismic repairs to meet earthquake safety codes

^Repairing old roofs

Upgrading instructional technology and equipment used for vocational education and

job training programs

Improving access for students with disabilities

^Making all schools fully handicap accessible

Repairing and renovating outdated classrooms and school buildings

Improving access and equipment for special education students

12

59%

59%

59%

53%

53%

52%

49%

28%

26%

25%

30%

30%

30%

29%

29%

55%

18%

13%

10%

12%

10%

14%

13%

14%

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

Ext./Very Impt. S.W. Impt. Not Too Impt.

Continued

12. I am going to read you a list of projects and improvements that might be included in a ballot measure to provide funding for local schools. Please tell me how important each one is to you: extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not too important. ^Not part of Split Sample

^Upgrading aging science labs and instructional equipment

^Replacing outdated restrooms and plumbing systems

Maintaining class sizes at current levels

Increasing capacity for after school education programs

^Improving lighting, fencing and fire safety systems

^Replacing outdated heating and ventilation systems to increase energy efficiency

Replacing outdated classrooms and school buildings

Increasing capacity for preschool students

San Marcos Unified School District

Survey Conducted:March 10-15, 2010

220-2859