Poll shows strong support for Stanislaus Union bond

By MICHELLE HATFIELD
mhatfield@modbee.com

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A telephone survey of 400 likely voters shows strong support for a Stanislaus Union School District bond to fund renovation at the district's seven schools, according to data presented at the district's board of trustees meeting Thursday.

Trustees will spend the next two months considering a possible bond for the November ballot and gathering public input, with a decision planed for their July meeting.

Poll results concluded that:

44 percent said the district was doing an excellent or good job educating students.

78 percent agreed that there was some need or great need for more money in the Stanislaus Union School District.

78 percent said there was some need or great need to repair and rehabilitate district schools.

Of various facility issues within Stanislaus Union, those polled said the most serious were Prescott School's overcrowding -- the school was built for 300 students, but houses 700; levels of asbestos, lead and other hazardous materials at district schools; and leaky roofs that ruin carpeting, floors and walls.

Least serious for those polled were poor drainage and lack of space for counselors.

64 percent said they'd support a bond that taxed them $30 for every $100,000 of property value. That number shot up to 74 percent support for a $15 tax for every $100,000 once people were given information about the district's state of disrepair.

A school bond would need 55 percent approval from voters to pass.

"We'd probably be in decent shape," if trustees decided on a November election, said consultant Gene Bregman.

The district enrolls about 3,200 northwest Modesto students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

During their presentation to trustees, consultants recommended the district move forward with plans, saying the survey indicates "strong odds for success in November."

The consultants did add that officials need to spend some time relaying information about the district's improvement needs and successes.

District officials plan to send informational brochures home with students before the end of the school year. Administrators also hope to complete by June a list of renovation projects that could include fixing leaky roofs and building computer labs. Administrators have not decided on an amount for the bond.

Consultants also urged the district to look into organizing a private group to advocate for a bond.

Bee staff writer Michelle Hatfield can be reached at mhatfield@modbee.com or 578-2339.