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MONTROSE, N.Y. –The Hendrick Hudson School District said the results of a late January community survey showed the performing arts center and artificial turf fields were the main reasons the district's $25.1 million December bond failed.
“The survey showed the performing arts center and athletic turf fields were the biggest reason the bond did not pass, along with the general economic times,” said Rick McCormack, district spokesperson, during Wednesday's Board of Education meeting.
The district said the results of the survey conveyed what many voters likely felt when the measure was rejected by a two-to-one vote. Of the nearly 1,000 respondents, “71 percent of respondents felt the Performing Arts Center was beyond our means,” and “23 percent of respondents mentioned the fields as beyond our means,” reads the survey summary passed out at Wednesday’s board meeting.
“It became clear that before we issue another bond we should resurvey,” said McCormack.
The vast majority of respondents used the district’s online “SurveyMonkey” powered questionnaire and there was also a telephone and write-in option for respondents. The survey was created by McCormack, Beth Gruber and David White, who said they believed the survey cost the district less than $500.
“We need information and it’s not always predictable,” said Marion Walsh, Board of Education president, about the reason the survey was conducted.
The district also found that nearly half of the respondents “expressed a negative view on the district’s use of tax dollars,” although about three-quarters “had a positive view of the academic program offered.”
One-third of respondents cited academics and test scores as an area the district could improve, 14 percent cited teachers and 19 percent cited the Board of Education, administration, communication and leadership.
Comments (2)
And they needed a survey to tell them this? Some children are into sports, some are into the arts- but the goal for ALL children is ACADEMICS- this is where the priorities must be going forward in this district. It's a shame that all of this had to happen to get the message across that this district is not in very good financial shape and we need to be in crisis mode and focus on academics- I mean we're BORROWING money to pay back tax rebates? The money spent to put forth the bond referendum would have been enough for several teacher aide positions that they claim now need to be cut.
Golly Gee taxpayers and parents with an ounce of common sense figured out that most of the 21 million dollars was going to be spent on wishes and very little else. If the administration and school board had used the same common sense, they would not have spent nearly $60,000 putting forth the bond. They are talking about the lay off of dozens of teachers, and aides but felt nothing was wrong to waste that money. The district has and is borrowing money to pay everything from pensions to tax rebates yet they still keep increasing the budget instead of holding the line. Of course, the administrators who collectively make very substantial salaries are not going to take their raises this year. That will make the taxpayers feel good as they pump $4.00 a gallon gas.