School District Survey Suggests Widespread Support for Levy Renewal

District 196 has gotten high marks from taxpayers, according to a recent survey, which bodes well for a proposal to extend a $20 million a year operating levy 

If approved by voters, the levy would persist for another decade. If not, it will expire in 2015. District officials say the loss of the levy would spark deep cuts which would drastically increase class sizes at all levels, eliminate some academic, arts and athletics programs. 

However, if the results of the survey are accurate, the levy has more than a fighting chance on Nov. 5. The survey was conducted by the consulting firm Decision Resources, which interviewed 400 randomly selected residents over the telephone during June and July.

Here's what they said: 
• About 36 percent said the education offered by District 196 was "excellent," 55 percent said it was good, 7 percent said "only fair," and 1 percent rated it as "poor." The remainder didn't answer or didn't know. 
• About 65 percent said that the district spent money effectively and efficiently. Around 25 percent disagreed, and 11 percent didn't know or didn't answer.
• Over half—63 percent—agreed with the statement that "in the past the district asked  for property tax increase only after considering all other financial alternatives." About 27 percent disagreed.
• A vast majority—85 percent—said they trusted the district with their tax money. About 12 percent did not. 
• When asked about school taxes, 9 percent rated them as "high," 34 percent said "somewhat high," 45 percent said "about average," and 3 percent said somewhat low. Around 9 percent didn't answer or didn't know. 
• About 51 percent said the district was adequately funded, while 42 percent disagreed.
• When asked about how they might vote on a levy referendum, 21 percent said they would vote against almost any tax increase for the schools, 64 percent said they would vote for an increase under some conditions but against in others, and 15 percent said they would vote for almost any tax increase for schools. 
• When asked about the specific proposal in question, 83 percent said they would support the levy renewal if they had to vote today. About 16 percent reported that they would vote against it. 

At the next meeting on Aug. 5, the school board will consider a resolution to put the levy renewal on the ballot. The district has posted the survey in its entirety on its website.