Arcadia Unified School District Community and Budget Issues Follow Up Survey
Survey Conducted June 20-27, 2024
220-7255
1
Survey Methodology
Dates | June 20-27, 2024 |
Survey Type | Dual-mode Voter Survey |
Research Population | Likely November 2024 Arcadia Unified School District Voters |
Total Interviews | 429 |
Margin of Sampling Error | (Full Sample) ±4.9% at the 95% Confidence Level (Half Sample) ±6.9% at the 95% Confidence Level |
Contact Methods | |
Data Collection Modes | |
Survey Tracking | 2006, 2011, January 2024 |
Languages | English & Chinese |
(Note: Not All Results Will Sum to 100% Due to Rounding)
Text
Invitations
Telephone
Calls
Invitations
Telephone
Interviews
Online
Interviews
2
Mood and Perceptions�of the Electorate
3
3
Half of voters are optimistic about the direction of the City of Arcadia and its public schools
Q. *Asked Only Among Voters Living in the City of Arcadia (n=399)
Do you think things in _____ are generally headed in the right direction, �or do you feel things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track?
*The City of Arcadia
Public Schools in Arcadia
4
Favorable reviews of AUSD outweigh �unfavorable reviews by more than 4 to 1
Q. I'm now going to mention the names of some people and organizations. please tell me whether you have an overall favorable or unfavorable opinion of that person or organization. Not Part of Split Sample
The Arcadia Unified School District
Total Favorable�69%
Total Unfavorable�16%
5
Half of voters say the District needs additional funding — up slightly from January, but both down notably from 2006 just prior to the successful bond
Q. *Note the question wording was slightly different in 2006. At that time, the question began by saying “As you may know, you live in the Arcadia Unified School District.”
Great/�Some Need | A Little/�No Real Need |
51% | 31% |
47% | 33% |
66% | 22% |
6
The Potential Ballot Measure
7
7
The Potential Ballot Measure�January 2024 and June 2024
Q. If the election were held today, do you think you would vote “yes” in favor of this measure or “no” to oppose it?
January 2024 | June 2024 |
ARCADIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT REPAIR, SAFETY, UPGRADE MEASURE To upgrade Arcadia schools to support quality education; update aging classrooms/labs for science, technology, engineering, math, reading/writing; improve security/fire/earthquake safety; repair aging roofs/plumbing/electrical systems; remove asbestos/lead paint, shall Arcadia Unified School District’s measure be adopted authorizing $330,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, levying $60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation, raising $23,000,000 annually while bonds are outstanding, requiring oversight/ spending disclosure, audits,�all funds for Arcadia schools? | ARCADIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT REPAIR, SAFETY, UPGRADE MEASURE To upgrade Arcadia schools to support quality education/prepare students for colleges/careers; keep schools safe/ clean; update aging classrooms/labs; improve fire/earthquake safety; repair deteriorating gas lines/leaky roofs; remove asbestos/lead paint, shall Arcadia Unified School District’s measure be adopted authorizing $358,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, levying $60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation, ($23,000,000 annually) while bonds are outstanding, requiring oversight/ spending disclosure, audits, all funds for Arcadia schools? |
(As Approved by Legal Counsel)
8
Support for the measure is below the 55% threshold required for passage in the first vote — little changed from six months ago
Q. If the election were held today, would you vote yes in favor of the measure or no to oppose it?
January 2024
June 2024
Definitely yes |
Probably yes |
Undecided, lean yes |
|
Undecided, lean no |
Probably no |
Definitely no |
|
Undecided |
Total Yes�53%
Total Yes�51%
45%
46%
Total No�41%
Total No�43%
(MOE: ±4.9%)
2006 & 2011: Initial Vote = 59%
9
Support declines when the $50 assessment �is brought into focus; does not increase above initial levels at $40
Q. Suppose that instead of the annual property tax of $60 per $100,000 I just asked you about, the possible measure resulted in an annual property tax of _______ per $100,000 of assessed property valuation, which is based on the amount your house is valued at for property taxes, not the current market value of your house. In that case, would you vote yes in favor of it or no to oppose it? Split Sample
$50/$100,000
$40/$100,000
Definitely yes |
Probably yes |
Undecided, lean yes |
|
Undecided, lean no |
Probably no |
Definitely no |
|
Undecided |
Total Yes�45%
Total Yes�52%
40%
48%
Total No�44%
Total No�38%
(M.O.E=±6.9% Per Rate)
10
Budget Priorities
11
11
Quality education and safety-related �repairs top the list of provisions
Q. I am going to read you a list of individual features and provisions that might be included in the ballot measure we have been discussing. Regardless of your opinion of the measure, please tell me how important it is to you that the feature or provision be included: Is it extremely important to you, very important, somewhat important, or not too important? Split Sample
(Ranked by Extremely/Very Important)
Ext./Very Impt. |
80% |
75% |
74% |
74% |
73% |
72% |
72% |
71% |
70% |
69% |
12
“Upgrading” and “updating” classrooms/labs rank lower �
Q. I am going to read you a list of individual features and provisions that might be included in the ballot measure we have been discussing. Regardless of your opinion of the measure, please tell me how important it is to you that the feature or provision be included: Is it extremely important to you, very important, somewhat important, or not too important? ^Not Part of Split Sample
(Ranked by Extremely/Very Important)
Ext./Very Impt. |
67% |
67% |
67% |
66% |
66% |
62% |
62% |
62% |
61% |
60% |
57% |
57% |
13
Effect of Educational �Statements
14
14
The top educational statements resonate �with just over 6 in 10 voters, but with low intensity
Q. I’m going to read some statements made by people who may be in favor of the ARCADIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT REPAIR, SAFETY, �UPGRADE MEASURE we have been discussing. Please tell me if it makes you more inclined to vote yes on this bond measure. *Not Part of Split Sample
(Ranked by Total More Inclined to Vote Yes)
*(SCHOOL SAFETY) The last couple of years have seen a record number of school shootings in the US, putting tens of thousands of students in harm's way. Our local neighborhood schools need to continue to improve security by upgrading emergency communications systems, lighting, �door locks, cameras, and alarms on all school campuses so that students, teachers, and staff remain safe. |
(ACCOUNTABILITY) This bond measure includes strict fiscal safeguards such as public disclosure of all spending, citizen oversight, and annual independent financial and performance audits. No money from this measure will go to administrators' salaries or pensions, and all money will be spent locally and cannot be taken by Sacramento. |
*(STATE FUNDING) Arcadia's schools receive among the lowest state funding in L.A. County and California-wide. If we want to protect the quality of education in our schools we need to provide locally controlled funding the state cannot take away. |
15
Continued
Q. I’m going to read some statements made by people who may be in favor of the ARCADIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT REPAIR, SAFETY, �UPGRADE MEASURE we have been discussing. Please tell me if it makes you more inclined to vote yes on this bond measure. Not Part of Split Sample
(Ranked by Total More Inclined to Vote Yes)
(URGENT REPAIRS) Many Arcadia schools were built nearly 60 years ago. This measure will address the most urgent repairs needed in our neighborhood schools such as repairing aging roofs, plumbing, restrooms, and gas and sewer lines; removing asbestos and lead paint; updating outdated electrical systems and security and fire systems; and making earthquake safety repairs and improvements. |
(UP-TO-DATE STEM) This measure will help upgrade aging classroom electrical systems, technology, and labs, with a greater emphasis on twenty-first century education in science, computers, engineering, and math. This investment in our local students will prepare them to be competitive as they move onto college and future jobs and careers. |
(FAIR SHARE) Every elementary, middle, and high school in the school district will receive funds to update technology, classrooms, and labs, �and to make health and safety upgrades so that all students benefit from a twenty-first century education in a safe, secure, and clean environment. |
16
Support is little changed after �educational statements
Q. If the election were held today, would you vote yes in favor of the measure or no to oppose it?
Initial Vote
Vote After Education
Definitely yes |
Probably yes |
Undecided, lean yes |
|
Undecided, lean no |
Probably no |
Definitely no |
|
Undecided |
Total Yes�51%
Total Yes�52%
46%
49%
Total No�43%
Total No�38%
(MOE: ±4.9%)
17
Support after educational statements �is down slightly compared to support after education in January 2024
Q. If the election were held today, would you vote yes in favor of the measure or no to oppose it?
Definitely yes |
Probably yes |
Undecided, lean yes |
|
Undecided, lean no |
Probably no |
Definitely no |
|
Undecided |
Total Yes�56%
Total Yes�52%
51%
49%
Total No�37%
Total No�38%
(MOE: ±4.9%)
January 2024
June 2024
18
Conclusions
19
19
Conclusions
20
Conclusions
21
Arcadia Unified School District Community and Budget Issues Follow Up Survey
Survey Conducted June 20-27, 2024
220-7255
22