Posted: 7/5/07
District phone survey offers mixed results
By Chris Schafer
The preliminary results of the school district-sponsored survey judging support for a bond referendum have been released and the community is divided.
The survey was conducted between June 12 and June 21 during which time 300 registered voters within the Princeton school district were contacted.
The survey showed in its initial results that 51.3 percent of those surveyed would favor a bond referendum, compared to opposition of 42 percent.
A second round of questions, informing the participant of what the money would be used for—including a new elementary school and renovations to North Elementary—raised the support poll up to 55.7 percent with 36.7 percent in opposition.
The survey carries a margin of error of 5.5 percent.
A proposed subsequent increase in the operating levy drew support of 53.3 percent while 41.7 percent opposed the idea.
Results of the full survey will be released in the following 7-10 days. The Union-Eagle will provide coverage of those results upon their release.
Statistics also released in the preliminary results included:
• Support declines with price increase - A total of 54 percent of those responding supported the cost of the bond at prices of $138 on a $126,000 home in Mille Lacs County and $172 on a $157,000 home in Sherburne. Support declined steadily as the price to homeowners rose, falling to 27.3 percent if Mille Lacs citizens were asked to pay $268 and Sherburne residents $334 in taxes on properties of the same value.
• Build to the north - More than half, 52.2 percent of those surveyed felt any new school should be built near the middle school. Nearly 40 percent (39.9 percent) felt a new school should be built in Baldwin Township.
• Renovate the high school - A vast majority, 78.2 percent, felt the high school should be renovated to meet growth projections. Comparatively, 15.5 percent felt a new high school should be built.
• Males even, females rise - Fifty percent of informed males—those who know what the district may use the money for—support the bond referendum and 50.7 percent support the operating levy. The survey showed a support mark of 60.6 percent for the bond from informed females and 55.6 percent for the operating levy.
Princeton Union-Eagle
P.O. Box 278
Princeton, MN 55371
Telephone: 763-389-1222
Fax: 763-389-1728