Survey

gathers

information

on levy

Vote could be

set in November

By RACHEL WEDDIG

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- With a the possibility of Nov. 6 referendum looming, interested citizens attended an informational meeting Monday night at New Ulm High School to learn the results of a community telephone survey conducted in late April.

The survey showed the results of 303 completed telephone interviews that took approximately 14 minutes each. Those interviewed were registered voters in District 88. The survey results had a margin of error of plus or minus 5.5 percent.

The board will decide in August whether to hold a Nov. 6 referendum.

School Board Chair Sue Ullery said the bottom line is there isn't enough money provided by law to effectively fund the school district.

"A great education is one of the most basic elements that we as a community need to provide," Ullery said. "We need to solve a problem. There just isn't enough money available to give the students the education they need."

Consultant Don Lifto, a superintendent from the Twin Cities area, has worked on many school referendums. He shared his knowledge with the audience. Lifto discussed the survey's results and offered advice on running an effective referendum campaign.

"It's helpful to do survey work to get an idea of the balance between the demand and the cost and the priorities and the tax bite," Lifto said.

A general survey question asked if someone would support the proposed referendum. This question gave little detail about the referendum.

The results showed 56.3 percent of those surveyed favored a referendum, 28.8 opposed a referendum and 14.9 percent were undecided. Lifto said the 56.3 percent is a good starting point for seeking a referendum.

When interviewers asked a more detailed question that included specifics about the budget and funding cuts through the past three years, the responses didn't change much.

The results showed that 58.6 percent favored a referendum, 27.6 percent opposed a referendum and 13.4 percent were undecided.

When Lifto discussed the demographics of those surveyed he found residents living out of town on a farmstead tended to oppose the referendum more than those who live in town. Also, women tend to vote more in elections and support the referendum more than men, and younger voters support a referendum more than older voters.

The survey showed the results from questions pertaining to people's perceptions about District 88.

When asked about the overall quality of District 88, 42 percent said the district is above average and 35.9 percent said the district is average.

Handling finances was another survey question. The results showed 49.2 percent said the administration is average in handling the budget, and 21.6 percent said the administration is above average.

In Lifto's conclusions, he said it is feasible to ask voters to approve an operating excess levy referendum to restore money from cuts made during the past three years. He recommended that the tax rate should be at or below a cost of $108 per $100,000 of the assessed value of the home. Lifto felt the district has a good chance in getting a referendum passed.

Lifto discussed the various ways the community can get involved with the election campaign by working on committees. What role the school board, superintendent and faculty should play during the campaign process was also discussed.

"This presentation outlines the huge task we have before us, but it's an important task," Superintendent Harold Remme said. "I know all of you are here because you are interested in New Ulm schools being the best they can be."

"We have a good school system -- one we can be proud of," Remme said. "We want to keep it that way and make it a better one."