Moorhead Schools rated well, must demonstrate educational need for bond referendum
June 18, 2015
A majority of residents of Moorhead Area Public Schools believe the schools provide a quality education and trust the district to do what is right, according to results of the district’s recent community survey.
During a work session on June 8, the Moorhead School Board heard a presentation about the district’s community survey results from Peter Leatherman, CEO of The Morris Leatherman Company. A random sample survey of 400 district households was completed in April and May with results projectable to all districts residents within +/- 5 percent in 95 out of 100 cases.
Overall, 90 percent of respondents rated the quality of education in the district as excellent or good, and 88 percent trust the district to do what is right.
“The district is in a strong position in the minds of residents,” Leatherman said.
Other perception data from the survey includes:
• 71 percent of the respondents agree the district spends effectively/efficiently.
• 89 percent believe the district provides a good value for investment.
• 87 percent of respondents indicate the district demonstrates accountability.
• 65 percent rated the district’s financial management as excellent or good.
• 77 percent of respondents gave the School Board a positive job performance rating.
• 77 percent gave the district administration and superintendent a positive job performance.
• 86 percent gave the principals a positive job performance.
• 93 percent gave the instructional staff a positive job performance.
Survey results indicate that residents will be sensitive to any tax increases, Leatherman said.
Of the survey respondents, 55 percent believe that school taxes are very high or somewhat high. The survey found that taxpayers probably would be willing to pay about $60 more per year without knowing the plan, Leatherman said.
The district’s proposed plan includes construction of a new K-4 elementary school; construction of a grades 5-6 addition to Horizon Middle School to create a middle school campus, including a performing arts center; remodel of existing district buildings to improve the safety and security; remodel of existing elementary schools to create flexible learning environments; and consideration of an addition at S.G. Reinertsen Elementary School to create equitable-sized elementary schools in the district. The plan also includes returning Probstfield Center for Education to an early childhood center.
Safety and security improvements received the most support at 69 percent, followed by building a performing arts center at Horizon Middle School at 56 percent, adding a fifth- and sixth-grade addition at Horizon at 55 percent, and building a new K-4 elementary school at 47 percent.
Leatherman said the $78 million approximate cost of the projects meant sticker shock. However once the estimated increase in taxes was provided, 56 percent of respondents supported or strongly supported the projects.
Residents are going to be cost conscious of the amount of the tax increase asked of them, Leatherman said, emphasizing that the key is going to be in the message of how a bond referendum will be used.
“We have work to do to communicate to our constituents that there is a true need,” said board member Bill Tomhave.
Questions pertaining to communications indicate that two-thirds of respondents feel informed or very informed about district decisions. Mailed publications, The Forum, email and the district website are key sources of information.
At the regular School Board meeting that followed the work session, Assistant Superintendent Brandon Lunak shared the process used for selecting the architectural and engineering services for the district’s November referendum building projects. Zerr Berg Architects, Inc. with Michael J. Burns Architects, LTD were approved for the projects by the board.
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