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Survey shows narrow projected support for $33.6 million West Central Area bond; board directs Widseth to prepare review
Summary
A consultant presented a community survey projecting a weighted 52.5% support for a $33.6 million single-site school modernization plan (within a ~4.7% margin of error); the West Central Area School Board voted to direct Widseth to prepare state review-and-comment materials to pursue a November bond referendum and to omit a separate $3.6M gym from the initial question.
Darren, a consultant with School Perceptions, told the West Central Area School Board that a community survey of 461 responses produced a weighted projection of 52.5% support for a $33,600,000 consolidated single-site school modernization plan, with a reported margin of error of about 4.66–4.68 percentage points.
The survey, closed May 11, had a 17% response rate. Darren said respondents were broken into three groups—staff, parents and non-parents/non-staff—and that the firm reweighted subgroup results to estimate likely voter behavior. He reported raw subgroup support of 85% among staff, 69% among parents and 47% among non-parents/non-staff; after reweighting for expected turnout, the firm’s projection was a narrow majority in favor. Darren summarized: “There is majority weighted support for the $33,600,000 recommended plan, but that support level does fall within the margin of error. Therefore, our determination is there’s enough support to put something on the ballot and let voters decide.”
Darren also presented results for an expanded $3,600,000 gym project, which showed much lower projected support after weighting (about 41.3%), and recommended the district not include the gym on an initial referendum. When asked about releasing raw comments, Darren said the firm can provide either a full download of comments or a comment-theme analysis to preserve confidentiality; he offered to produce a recorded walk-through of the slides and send a comment-theme report.
After discussion, board members moved to instruct engineering firm Widseth to draft and file the required review-and-comment materials for the November 3, 2026 bond referendum specifically for the $33,600,000 plan. Chair called for the motion, it was seconded, and the board approved the motion by voice vote.
The board and consultant emphasized that the projection is not a guarantee because of the margin of error, and they advised tailoring communications to reflect survey findings. Darren advised the board to “listen to your data” and to publicize any decision that reflects the survey to avoid community backlash.
Next steps: Widseth will prepare the formal review-and-comment documents to meet state deadlines for a possible November ballot; the consultant will deliver a recording of the presentation and a comment-theme analysis to administration.
