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Consultant: survey predicts 54.1% support for Mount Horeb capital referendum; board asked to consider July agenda item
Summary
A School Perceptions consultant reported a 26.66% response rate (1,563 respondents) and a modeled 54.1% November support for a proposed capital referendum, outside the survey's ±2.5% margin of error; board and consultants discussed timing and a mid‑July schedule to finalize ballot language and public communications.
Scott Gerard, a consultant with School Perceptions, told the Mount Horeb Area School District board on June 17 that the district’s community survey drew 1,563 responses for a 26.66% response rate and an estimated ±2.5% margin of error.
The consultant said subgroup results showed roughly 71% support among staff residents and 73% support among parent residents, while non‑parent, non‑staff residents were less supportive at about 46% with 41% opposed. Using a weighting model focused on parent and non‑parent resident voting blocs, Gerard said the predicted November outcome was 54.1%, which he described as “outside that 2 and a half percent margin of error” and “a pretty solid result” compared with recent district surveys.
Why it matters: the board is weighing whether to place a capital referendum before voters that would fund projects at the primary center and other facility improvements. The survey results will inform bond counsel review, the board’s question wording, and the public engagement plan if the board decides to proceed.
Board members and district staff asked detailed questions about project scope and timing. A board member asked whether the referenced $34,000,000 package included geothermal work; a district administrator replied that the primary center already has geothermal infrastructure and that the accounting includes expansion of geothermal if additions are made to that site.
Consultants urged the board to consider a July 15 board agenda item to finalize a proposed ballot question and allow time for bond counsel review and preparation of a communications campaign. Matt Wolford of Bridal Architects, who described his team’s communications resources, told the board that earlier adoption of the question "allows us to get ahead of the game" and to produce materials for back‑to‑school engagement and other outreach opportunities.
Next steps: staff asked that the board consider placing the referendum question on the July 15 agenda to permit coordination with bond counsel and to give the district time to develop and deploy a public information plan; the board agreed to revisit the item at its next meeting.
