Community Survey Executive Summary
In December 2022 - January 2023, Creative Entourage conducted an online survey in Arthur CUSD 305. The purpose of the survey was to better understand area residents’ perceptions of and priorities for the District. Three hundred sixty-one (361) respondents completed the survey.
Voting in the June 28 election
Nine in ten (90.3%) respondents indicated that they had voted in the June 28, 2022 election.
When asked to indicate how responsible they thought several factors were for voting “no’ on a District proposal in that election, the amount of the increase and a lack of information were most likely to be cited as key reasons, along with concern about closing schools and the state of the economy.
- Tax increase was too much (54.6% highly responsible (9-10))
- Too little information was provided/people didn’t understand the proposal (48.4%)
- Concern that the elementary schools in Atwood and Lovington will eventually be closed with all schools in Arthur (47.5%)
- Uncertainty of the economy (38.3%)
Among reasons that voters might have voted “yes,” fewer than two in five respondents rated any listed reason as highly responsible (9-10 on a ten-point scale). High school facility needs topped the list.
- The high school is in need of renovation. (36.5% highly responsible (9-10))
- It makes long-term sense for junior high and high school students share facilities such as athletic fields and career education facilities. (26.0%)
- The plan improved safety and security at all buildings. (16.2%)
Plans for moving forward
When asked about “various approaches for moving forward,” a majority (53.6%) of respondents favored an approach that would “renovate the high school, keep grades 6-8 in the elementary schools, and make needed renovations and repairs in the elementary schools.” Three in ten favored two ideas that would involve new construction:
- Build a new High School campus in a central location not within any of the villages (30.1%, total favor)
- Place the original proposal back on the ballot to provide junior and senior high education in a renovated building in Arthur and make essential improvements in the elementary schools in Arthur, Lovington and Atwood. Then do a better job communicating the benefits of this proposal. (30.0%)
When asked specifically about the need to renovate the high school, three-quarters agreed that there is a “great” (39.3%) or “moderate” (35.8%) need.
Statements about local public schools
Respondents were asked how strongly they agreed or disagreed with four statements “when thinking about the Arthur Community Unit School District.” More than four in five agreed with two statements about the need for renovations:
- We need to keep our school buildings up-to-date and in good condition to protect our community’s investment in those facilities. (91.6%, total agree)
- All spaces in schools should be air-conditioned. (80.5%)
District job performance
Most respondents gave high marks to the District with respect to facilities, staff and preparing students:
- Providing students and classrooms with up-to-date instructional technology. (66.1%, excellent/good)
- Keeping up with the repair and maintenance of school buildings (55.9%)
- Preparing junior high students for the transition from JH to HS (54.2%)
- Attracting and retaining high-quality staff (53.4%)
- Preparing students for the workforce (52.4%)
In two cases, majorities gave negative ratings to the District’s performance:
- Communicating with members of the community (65.5%, not so good/poor)
- Bringing together all parts of the district (53.5%)
Listed below is the overview of the actual data. Thanks to everyone that provided the much-needed and valuable feedback.
Arthur CUSD 305
Community Survey
January 2023
Overview of Data
In December 2022 - January 2023, Creative Entourage conducted an online survey in Arthur CUSD 305. The purpose of the survey was to better understand area residents’ perceptions of and priorities for the District. Three hundred sixty-one (361) respondents completed the survey. Complete results of every question asked are below, and results are weighted by parent and gender.
|
| % |
Sometimes people get so busy, or are on vacation, or not registered, that they are unable to vote on election day. Were you able to vote in the June 28th election? | Yes | 90.3% |
No | 9.7% |
Listed below are several reasons we’ve heard for why people voted “no” on the proposal. For each, on a 10-point scale, indicate if you think it was greatly responsible for “no” votes — a “10” on the scale — or not at all responsible — a “1” on the scale
| Top 2 (9-10) | Mid 3 (6-8) | Bottom 5 (1-5) | Mean |
Tax increase was too much | 54.6% | 25.1% | 20.3% | 7.9 |
Uncertainty of the economy | 38.3% | 27.0% | 34.7% | 6.9 |
Didn’t like moving grades 6-8 to a combined high school/junior high building | 37.3% | 16.7% | 45.9% | 6.1 |
Concern that the elementary schools in Atwood and Lovington will eventually be closed with all schools in Arthur | 47.5% | 15.2% | 37.2% | 6.9 |
Didn’t fully address needs to improve the elementary schools | 30.8% | 22.8% | 46.4% | 6.1 |
Too little information was provided/people didn’t understand the proposal | 48.4% | 22.1% | 29.5% | 7.2 |
Of course, many voted “yes.” Using the same scale, please evaluate reasons that people may have voted “yes” on the bond proposal.
| Top 2 (9-10) | Mid 3 (6-8) | Bottom 5 (1-5) | Mean |
The high school is in need of renovation | 36.5% | 28.4% | 35.2% | 6.8 |
It makes long term sense for junior high and high school students share facilities such as athletic fields and career education facilities | 26.0% | 28.7% | 45.3% | 5.9 |
The plan came from engaging our community | 10.4% | 14.0% | 75.6% | 3.9 |
The plan provided space at the elementary schools for improved early childhood education and other programs | 11.6% | 16.9% | 71.6% | 4.4 |
The plan improved safety and security at all buildings | 16.2% | 26.1% | 57.7% | 5.2 |
Some people are suggesting various approaches for moving forward. For each of the following, indicate if it is something you could strongly favor, favor, oppose or strongly oppose.
| Strongly favor | Total favor | Undecided | Total oppose |
Place the original proposal back on the ballot to provide junior and senior high education in a renovated building in Arthur and make essential improvements in the elementary schools in Arthur, Lovington and Atwood. Then do a better job communicating the benefits of this proposal | 13.1% | 30.0% | 20.0% | 49.9% |
Renovate the high school, keep grades 6-8 in the elementary schools, and make needed renovations and repairs in the elementary schools | 24.4% | 53.6% | 23.3% | 23.1% |
Build a new Junior High/High School campus in a central location not within any of the villages | 11.3% | 26.5% | 19.3% | 54.2% |
Build a new High School campus in a central location not within any of the villages | 14.0% | 30.1% | 16.1% | 53.8% |
Build a new high school at the existing site and keep grades 6-8 in the three elementary schools | 11.3% | 25.6% | 25.2% | 49.2% |
Following are some statements that people might make about their local public schools. For each, indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree when thinking about the Arthur Community Unit School District
| Strongly agree | Total agree | Total disagree | Other, don't know |
We need to keep our school buildings up-to-date and in good condition to protect our community’s investment in those facilities. | 57.4% | 91.6% | 7.5% | .8% |
Our high school building is in need of extensive renovation. | 37.7% | 64.5% | 24.7% | 10.8% |
It would be good for kids to have a centrally located junior high and remove grades 6-8 from the elementary schools. | 18.6% | 41.7% | 50.8% | 7.5% |
All spaces in schools should be air-conditioned. | 51.9% | 80.5% | 17.9% | 1.6% |
|
| % |
Forgetting about a specific proposal, how much need is there to renovate and improve the district’s high school? Is there a... | Great need | 39.3% |
Moderate need | 35.8% | |
Not much need | 11.7% | |
No need at all | 5.1% | |
Other, don't know | 8.0% |
For each of the following, please rate the job performance of the Arthur district as excellent, good, not so good, or poor
| Excellent | Excellent/good | Not so good/poor | Don't know |
Providing students and classrooms with up-to-date instructional technology | 10.9% | 66.1% | 15.7% | 18.3% |
Preparing junior high students for the transition from JH to HS | 10.5% | 54.2% | 22.8% | 23.0% |
Preparing students for the workforce | 10.7% | 52.4% | 27.4% | 20.2% |
Maintaining safe and secure schools | 15.5% | 74.8% | 15.0% | 10.2% |
Keeping up with the repair and maintenance of school buildings | 7.6% | 55.9% | 31.9% | 12.2% |
Communicating with members of the community | 7.0% | 29.1% | 65.5% | 5.5% |
Attracting and retaining high-quality staff | 8.7% | 53.4% | 32.6% | 14.1% |
Bringing together all parts of the district | 6.3% | 35.5% | 53.5% | 11.0% |
|
| % |
Indicate below what describes you. Check as many as apply. | Parent with children 18 or younger enrolled in Arthur District schools | 36.1% |
Parent with children 18 or younger enrolled in a non-Arthur District school | 5.7% | |
Parent with children older than 18 | 29.1% | |
Arthur District staff and resident of district | 13.1% | |
Arthur District staff and non-resident of district | 1.2% | |
Community member | 70.1% | |
Other, don't know | 3.0% |
|
| % |
What are the last three digits of your ZIP code? | 013 | .4% |
195 | .2% | |
666 | .2% | |
910 | .8% | |
911 | 49.2% | |
913 | 23.2% | |
929 | 4.3% | |
936 | .3% | |
937 | 17.4% | |
938 | .4% | |
951 | .3% | |
953 | 2.9% |
|
| % |
Are you... | Male | 44.9% |
Female | 44.9% | |
Other | .2% | |
Prefer not to answer | 9.9% |
Thank you to all of you that participated in the survey and provided valuable insight and feedback. We will continue to strategize and develop a plan to improve our facilities and your input will be a valuable part of that process. Have a great rest of your week and enjoy the upcoming weekend.
Mr. Shannon Cheek
Superintendent
Arthur CUSD 305