Poll Data Available on Referendum Failure

Today, beginning at noon, the School Building Solutions Committee will receive the results of a community poll on the school bond referendum that failed last November.  The goals of this research were to:

• Quantify reasons why the referendum failed
• Quantify expectations voters who opposed the bonds have for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system; and
• Quantify expectations among voters who favored the bonds

The survey was conducted by MarketWise between February 21 and March 17.  Responses were collected from 623 telephone interviews, including 515 interviews with people who voted either in favor or opposed to the referendum.  The margin of error for this sample is plus/minus 4.3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.  Another 108 interviews were conducted with people who did not vote in the referendum but who were identified as likely voters based on a history of voting in the previous election. 

To participate, these respondents indicated they were somewhat or very likely to vote in a bond referendum the next time it is on the ballot.  In addition, race and gender quotas were set within each district according to the demographics of the population of voters in the 2004 general election. Below are a few key findings:

• Voters and non-voters are equally likely to have children in CMS.
• Those who favor the bonds are primarily concerned with overcrowding.  Those who oppose the bonds are also concerned with overcrowding but are more concerned with CMS and School Board leadership as well as funds management by the Board of Education.

The top reasons voters supported the bonds are:

• Schools need improvement
• Overcrowding
• Public school advocate
• Better education for children, grandchildren
• Employed or relative employed by CMS
• Better teacher pay
• Improve resources, materials, technology

Top reasons voters opposed the bonds are:

• Wasting money; not spending wisely
• Incompetent school board
• CMS poorly managed, lacks leadership
• School board dishonest, not credible
• Too soon to ask for more money
• Lack of information about how money spent

Although overcrowding is the biggest concern among those who favor the bonds, those who oppose the bonds are even more concerned about the following:

• The lack of accountability of the School Board
• CMS leadership
• High property taxes
• Board of Education funds mismanagement
• Lack of discipline in schools
• Lack of accountability in CMS administration
• Previous bonds spending

A majority of respondents would vote in favor of the bonds on a future referendum if some changes are made, such as:

• Dividing CMS into smaller districts is the most likely way to influence respondents who oppose the bonds to vote in favor.
• Equal emphasis on new school construction and renovating old schools is the most likely way to influence respondents who favor the bonds to continue to vote in favor.

Based on the analysis conducted by MarketWise, the following changes would increase community support for a future bond referendum or other school capital package:

• A unified school board working together to affect positive change
• Increased confidence in CMS leadership
• Dividing the school district into smaller areas
• Restructuring large high schools into smaller high schools
• Increased public awareness of how previous monies have been spent and economies achieved
• Increased public awareness of planned spending, desired goals for funding, and planned economies
• Addressing inner city and suburban equity
• Addressing equity in new construction and renovations

Starting at noon today, the full results of the poll can be accessed at the city/county web site (www.charmeck.org/Departments/Consensus-Building/). 

Stewardship Services

During the Board's January Strategic Planning Conference, questions were asked regarding Stewardship Services in the Park and Recreation Department.  Stewardship Services provides comprehensive management and public education regarding the County's nature preserves, nature centers and associated facilities, natural heritage sites, watershed protection properties, and park land natural resources.  The land management responsibilities of this service encompass over 5,600 acres in Mecklenburg County, including the nature preserves at Reedy Creek, McDowell Park, and Latta Plantation.

Stewardship Services has a total budget of $1,994,231 with $127,612 from fee generated revenues.  The FY06 County funding for this service is $1,866,619.  Roughly 90 percent of the County's funds for Stewardship Services are for the salaries of 38 full-time and 18 temporary (seasonal) employees.

Responsibilities for managing the County's natural areas and environmental education facilities include:

• Scientific research and data collection on numerous species of flora and fauna
• Developing and implementing wildlife management plans
• Developing critical habitat and sensitive natural areas land management plans and best practices
• Technical assistance to the public and numerous associated government agencies and non-profit organizations (Greenways, Real Estate Services, educational institutions, conservation organizations, lake commissions, etc.)
• Implementing a variety of natural areas management techniques such as prairie burns, re-forestation, and invasive species management
• Threatened and endangered plant species propagation and reintroduction
• Research for federal and state agencies for contractual work in piedmont nature conservation
• Trail and bridge construction and maintenance on over 35 miles of multi-use trails
• Cleaning/general upkeep of facilities such as restrooms, picnic shelters, campgrounds, and other public areas
• Maintenance and repair of buoys on Lake Wylie in conjunction with the Lake Wylie Marine Commission.

The three public nature centers at Reedy Creek, McDowell Park, and Latta Plantation, and the campgrounds at McDowell Park and Copperhead Island attract more than 50,000 visitors a year.  Educational and outdoor recreational programs, including special events for school classes, scout groups, families, adults, and youth reach over 26,000 participants yearly.

This service is directly aligned with the desired result of improve/expand parks, open space, greenways & recreational opportunities; and indirectly aligned to improving air, water, and land quality.

--Harry L. Jones, Sr., County Manager