More than 50% support going ahead with $19M bond referendum to help pay for some kind of major upgrade
A new gym at the elementary school? An overhaul of a science room at the high school? These are just two of the options offered to residents of District No. 2913 in a community survey meant to give district staff some insight on where to go with potential future projects.
But the biggest question — the one that would tell the district that it can step on the gas and move forward with a major construction project — was whether or not the general public is willing to invest in the schools once again by supporting a bond referendum to help pay for it.
That question was answered Monday at a joint community task force meeting.
The community survey showed that 51.5% of the district’s general population would be behind a $19 million project. That total, plus the $4.6 million the district has left over from the previous two-year infrastructure project, and interest earnings, means there would be roughly $25 million at the district’s disposal if a referendum is successful.
“We could pick up about 5% of undecideds, so I would say if this was going to go to referendum — if the board chose to do that — you’ll probably have about 55%56% support,” said Sue Peterson, education planning specialist with ISG. “We’re now going to reverse engineer that solution; we’ve identified which projects, and we now know how much money we have, so now we have to figure out how to bring those together.”
As far as potential projects are concerned, one of the survey questions involved creating a secure main entrance, new main office and special education space at the elementary school, and 69% of the general public were either extremely likely or likely to support such a project. Sixty-five percent showed strong support for a dedicated cafeteria space at the grade school; there was also strong support for an additional gym there.
At the high school, 72% of the general public were either extremely likely or likely to support an update to the science room. Forty-eight percent were in favor of building a multistation gym, but there was little support for an indoor walking path. Another item that lacked support was a legacy commons area at the high school in the current courtyard there.
A total of 2,872 survey postcards were mailed out to residents of the district, with 596 (20%) being completed and returned. Emails to parents and district staff were also sent out.
“That’s awesome,” Peterson said about the response rate. “This is exactly where we wanted your response rate to be, so we’re really comfortable with that.”
Demographically, 33% of those who responded were between the ages of 36-45; 20% were between 46-55, 16% were 65-and-over; 14% were 26-35; 10% were 56-64; and 7% were 18-25. Eighty-four percent were not employees of the school district; 52% have school-aged children; 92% live within district boundaries; 89% owned a home in the district.
“We looked at it in mutuallyexclusive groups — those people that are non-parents and non-staff members; they are general citizens and make up 75% of the voters,” Peterson said. “It’s really important that we understand what this group believes.”
Also, of the respondents, 59% have a Tracy mailing address; 12% have a Balaton address; and 8% have a Milroy address.
One of the questions on the survey was what advice would you give to the school board, and 74% said the board should explore a bond referendum, and 11% would do nothing at this time.
“We’ve got people saying it certainly makes sense to consider a referendum and to explore some potential projects,” Peterson said.
Bruce Flesner, a substitute teacher, said it’s important not to overlook the academic aspect.
“We have incredible professionals here; it’s just hard for me to look at brick-andmortar,” he said. “My passion isn’t in brick-and-mortar. There may be a value for that, but my passion is for academic excellence.”
Tracy Area Public Schools Supt. Chad Anderson agreed with what Flesner had to say about the teachers in the district, and added that last year’s sophomores scored in the top 10% in the state on the reading test and in the top 6% in science.
“We’re putting a lot of resources into reading,” Anderson said. Our district has invested a lot of money in academics and will continue to do so. I understand completely what Bruce is saying … but we’ve got some really highachieveing kids here.”
The board later showed its approval to move ahead with the process of setting up a referendum and will continue discussions this winter.
A public vote could take place as early as April 2027.
