Survey shows 47% weighted support for proposed operational referendum; staff and parents more favorable

Rob Deise, vice president of research at School Perceptions, presented the results of a spring district survey to the Janesville School District board on June 9. The survey closed May 22 with 4,154 responses, and Deise said the sample size produced a low margin of error for planning purposes.

Deise summarized subgroup support for pursuing an operational referendum: among staff who live in-district about 78% supported the proposed plan; about 65% of parents supported it; non-parents/non-staff were split and leaned slightly against the proposal. When those subgroup responses were weighted to reflect voting bloc sizes, Deise reported the overall support figure as 47% "on the nose," meaning below the 50% threshold the district would need for a likely successful election if the same plan were presented at the ballot.

Deise explained the survey included tax-impact frames (examples per $100,000 of assessed value) and translated those to the district average home value ($223,400) to give voters an average-dollar sense of the potential annual property tax change. He cautioned the early question measured conceptual support without a dollar amount attached; when proposed plan dollar amounts were tested, the overall weighted support remained below majority.

Board members asked clarifying questions about whether the tax-impact numbers represented additional taxes beyond current payments; Deise and administration confirmed the figures were shown as an increase "over the current level." Several commissioners noted the importance of improving public information and outreach because non-parent, non-staff voters make up the largest share of the voting block.

Deise also presented trend data: the district's satisfaction metrics (delivering a high-quality education, keeping the public informed, managing funds appropriately, building community pride) increased modestly since the prior survey in 2024, a positive sign for referendum communications, he said. The presentation concluded with a board Q&A and a request that staff bring refined referendum options and tax-impact modeling to future workshops.