Board approves moving forward with scientific telephone survey to gauge community opinion

The Little Falls Public School District Board of Education voted to proceed with a scientific telephone survey after a presentation from a consultant who described random-sample telephone polling methods, typical sample sizes, costs and a realistic timeline.

Peter, a survey consultant who has worked with Minnesota school districts, told the board the vendor uses random samples drawn from a national phone-number database and schedules calls by appointment to minimize selection bias. "If you hire us, typically we set up what I call a brainstorming discussion... the main charge I have is to write neutrally worded questions," he said.

Peter recommended a 400 completed-sample telephone survey as a standard balance of cost and statistical precision for community opinion work; he said moving to a 500–625 sample to get larger subgroups (for example, likely voters) increases cost by roughly 25–50 percent. He described a typical timeline: two to four weeks to finalize questions, two weeks to collect calls, and one to two weeks for coding and analysis — with client presentations typically available in six to eight weeks. He estimated a 400-sample project would likely remain under $20,000 and that a 500-sample project would likely remain under $25,000, depending on questionnaire length.

Why the board approved it: Board members said they wanted a representative, randomized sample rather than an opt-in or Internet survey because self-selected surveys can skew results. One board member noted recent examples in which self-selected instruments overstated support for funding requests. The board moved and seconded a motion to accept proceeding with the community survey; the motion was adopted by voice vote ("Aye").

What will be measured: Peter said the survey typically gauges "atmospherics" — residents' perceptions of school quality, priorities, trust, and tax tolerance — then tests specific funding scenarios, messaging, and likely vote support. He said the firm also reports norms and historical comparisons to interpret percentage support levels.

Next steps and timing: If the board's approval is acted on promptly, administration and the consultant expect to draft the questionnaire in March, field in April (avoiding spring break), and present results in April or May so they can inform board decisions about referenda or other actions this spring and summer.

Ending: Board members asked the consultant to include demographic quotas that preserve representation across neighborhoods (board members specifically mentioned Randall) and to return questionnaire drafts for board or subcommittee review before the survey goes into the field.