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Survey shows limited Platteville support for higher-cost operating referendum options
Summary
A School Perceptions survey presented to the Platteville School District board found the district-wide weighted support under 50% for any of three operational-referendum funding options; staff were most supportive while nonparents/nonstaff — the largest group — showed the least support.
Rob Demise, research director at School Perceptions, told the Platteville School District board on Aug. 14 that community backing for higher-cost operating-referendum options is limited and varies sharply by subgroup.
Demise presented a three-option funding framework and said, “If the Platteville Board of Education were to put option 3 on the ballot, a little over 1 in 5 members of the largest chunk of your community would support it.” He emphasized that the district’s largest respondent group — nonparents/nonstaff — is least likely to back the most expensive option.
The survey divided respondents into three subgroups — staff, parents and nonparents/nonstaff — and measured support for three funding increments. Demise reported that staff respondents were the most supportive (roughly two-thirds backing the largest option), parents’ support sat near the 50% mark for a mid-level option, and nonparents/nonstaff showed lower support: about 37% backing the lowest-cost option in that subgroup and a little more than one in five supporting the highest-cost option. He also noted that 49% of nonparents/nonstaff said they would not support any referendum.
Demise translated mill-rate impacts into tax impacts on a $100,000 home to make the choices clearer for voters and said the district should plan messaging to the groups that matter most on election day. He said the Platteville Journal, municipal newsletters and the district website were the top channels for reaching nonparents/nonstaff and that email and websites were most effective for parents.
The survey also assessed trust and satisfaction. On a 1–4 scale, three of the four metrics measured were above the midpoint, but “managing funds appropriately” was notably lower — cited at about 37% approval when responses were aggregated. Demise said the district’s likelihood-to-recommend score was above neutral, indicating more respondents would recommend the district than not.
Board members discussed next steps in the budget calendar; Demise and his team offered to provide follow-up support. The district’s October budget meeting — where the board typically posts and votes on its budget — was flagged as a decision point for whether to place an operating referendum before voters.
The presentation did not produce any formal board action during the meeting; board members will consider the findings as they continue outreach and scenario planning ahead of the October budget cycle.
