New Glarus School District Facility Survey Results

The New Glarus School District recently heard the results of the Community Facility Study. The results were presented by School Perceptions, a company that has conducted over 10,000 surveys for schools and districts across the country.
Overall there were 654 respondents, which equates to a participation rate of 27%. Of the respondents, 71% said they would support the District exploring a referendum for additional facility updates, and another 20% said they weren’t sure or needed more information.
The survey then went on to ask community members to prioritize a variety of potential facility projects. Ranking from highest to lowest priority, the results were as follows:
Updating/expanding the STEAM/Tech Ed (Shop) areas
Addressing the capacity needs at the elementary school
Renovating the MS/HS classrooms and support areas
Expanding the kitchen and cafeteria
Improving pedestrian safety, traffic flow and site circulation
Building a track around a soccer/football field
Expanding the gym and fitness center
Adding a youth baseball/softball field
Building a multi-purpose music classroom/auditorium
Adding turf to a new soccer/football field
Building a swimming pool
Replacing the tennis courts
Next the survey asked what advice the community would give the District regarding the elementary school. The results were as follows: 47% - explore expanding/renovating the existing school; 14% - explore building a new school; 24% - would support either option; 8% - need more information; 7% - would not support either option.
The final question in the survey asked how much of a tax impact community members would support through a referendum in the near future. The results were as follows: 25% would being willing to support $44.5 million, 6% would be willing to support $37.5 million, 11% would be willing to support $32.5 million, 18% would be willing to support $27.5 million, 9% would be willing to support $22.5 million, 10% would be willing to support 17.5 million, 5% would only support a smaller referendum, 9% need more information, and 7% would not support a referendum.
The New Glarus School Board and Administration greatly appreciates so many residents taking the survey, and looks forward to analyzing the feedback and developing plans for the future.