Jackson County Central School District

Community Survey Results

Summer 2019
 Survey Summary
• The survey was conducted in late June through
mid-July of 2019.
• Residents within the District were mailed a
paper survey. Each survey included a unique
survey access code for those who preferred to
take the survey online.
• Total responses = 1,003 (391 paper)
• Participation rate = 27%
• Margin of error = 3.1%
Respondent Information
 What is your age?
30%
26%
25%
25%

20%
16% 16%
15%
15%

10%

5%
2%

0%
18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-64 65 and
older
Do you live in the Jackson County
Central School District?
0.01%

5%

Yes
No
Not sure
95%
 In which city or township do you reside?
City of Jackson 43%
City of Lakefield 25%
Wisconsin Township 3%
Minneota Township 3%
Middletown Township 3%
Hunter Township 3%
Heron Lake Township 3%
Belmont Township 3%
Other 2%
Rost Township 2%
Petersburg Township 2%
Enterprise Township 2%
Des Moines Township 1%
West Heron Lake Township 1%
Sioux Valley Township 1%
Delafield Township 1%
Christiania Township 1%
Round Lake Township 0.40%
City of Alpha 0.30%
Weimer Township 0.20%
Kimball Township 0.20%
Ewington Township 0.20%
Alba Township 0.20%
LaCrosse Township 0.10%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Do you own property in the District taxed
as agricultural land?

28%

Yes
72% No
Are you an employee of the Jackson
County Central School District?

13%

Yes (n=129)
No (n=861)
87%
Do you have children attending the
District?

47%
53%
Yes (n=461)
No (n=528)
 How would you like to receive information
from the District?
24%
Email 75%
59%
District mailings 63%
11%
Text message 43%
25%
School/District website 43%
23%
Facebook 41%
45%
Non-Parents
Jackson County Pilot 36%
(Non-Staff)
36%
Lakefield Standard 24%
7%
Automated phone messenger 22% Parents
Radio 20%
30% (Non-Staff)
8%
School Newsletter: The Husky Howl 16%
12%
Attend meetings 14%
5%
Twitter 11%
2%
Parent organizations 6%
4%
Attend School Board meetings 5%
1%
Other 2%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Financial Background
 Because of a decrease in state funding and increasing costs, the District has
experienced an operating budget deficit for many years. For the past five years,
the District has utilized its fund balance (savings) to balance the budget. It’s
important to note this practice is not sustainable as the District needs this fund
balance to properly fund daily operations. Therefore, the District must explore
options to reduce costs and improve operational efficiencies.
Inspiring Excellence
 How well are we doing in each of the following areas?
Great (4), Good (3), Fair (2), Poor (1)
Parents Non-Parents
Item Staff
(Non-Staff) (Non-Staff)

Providing a safe and welcoming learning environment 3.11 2.77 2.80

Delivering a high-quality educational experience 3.00 2.68 2.77

Building pride in our community 2.72 2.72 2.72

Hiring and retaining high-quality staff 2.68 2.50 2.58

Ensuring facilities meet students’ academic needs 2.64 2.52 2.56

Meeting the needs of all students 2.78 2.53 2.48

Preparing students for life after high school 2.64 2.43 2.46

Keeping the public informed 2.63 2.21 2.30

Maintaining school facilities 2.37 2.15 2.12

 Overall, how satisfied are you with the
Jackson County Central School District?
(All Respondents)

100%

80%

61%
60%

40%

15% 12%
20%
8%
4%
0%
Very Satisfied Satisfied Not Satisfied Very No Opinion
Unsatisfied
Planning Background
The Task Force identified these issues as they considered long-range facility options:

AGING BUILDING SYSTEMS

According to a recent facility study, the buildings’ heating, electrical and plumbing systems have exceeded
their useful life, resulting in inefficiencies and ongoing costly repairs. In addition, due to their age, the
roofs, flooring, windows and doors need replacement.

OUTDATED CLASSROOMS
Many of the educational spaces in our
buildings are undersized, outdated or
insufficient to meet students’ current
educational needs. Today’s classrooms require
flexible space to provide large and small group
collaboration and allow for hands-on and
Project-based learning opportunities.

Paying to fix the aging building systems and

outdated classrooms cannot be addressed
in the District’s annual operating budget.

IMPROVE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES

The District has too many buildings to operate and maintain them efficiently. Closing one or more
buildings would improve staff and program efficiencies and save the District money.

The Task Force has concluded that closing at least one building is necessary. Based on this information,
the Task Force believes that continuing to invest in the JCC Middle School building is not cost effective
and recommends closing the building.
 Would you support a plan that would close the
JCC Middle School building?
(Jackson County Central School District Residents Only)

100%
83%
80%
64% 66%
57%
60%

40%

22% 21%
17% 19% 18%
16%
20% 13%
4%

0%
Yes No Unsure at this time
All Residents Staff Parents (Non-Staff) Non-Parents (Non-Staff)
What are the options?
PATHWAY 1: OPERATE THREE CAMPUSES
Close JCC Middle School building

Riverside Elementary would serve PK-3rd grade

• Replace exterior doors and repair masonry and pavement
• Replace the heating and ventilation, plumbing and electrical systems that have exceeded their service life
• Update core finishes (e.g., paint walls, replace flooring and update lighting)
• Add a sprinkler system and address Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) code compliance
Estimated Cost: $3.3 million

Pleasantview Elementary would be expanded to serve PK, 4th-5th and 6th-8th grade

Middle School Additional Space

• Add a middle school wing for 6th–8th grade
• Add classrooms and labs for career and technical education
• Add a 2-court middle school gym
Current Building Needs
• Replace exterior doors and repair masonry
• Replace the heating and ventilation, plumbing and electrical systems that have exceeded their service life
• Update core finishes (e.g., paint walls, replace flooring and lockers and update lighting)
• Add security cameras, an access control system and a sprinkler system
• Update restrooms to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) code compliance
Estimated Cost: $31.0 million

JCC High School would serve 9th-12th grade

• Repair exterior wall masonry and pavement
• Address the heating and ventilation, plumbing and electrical system components that have exceeded their service life
Estimated Cost: $1.0 million
Total Cost of Pathway 1: $35.3 million

Annual Operational Savings:

$250,000 to $300,000

The graph below depicts the additional tax impact for a $100,000 property, if the
community supported a $35 million bond.
Would you support the District pursuing Pathway 1?
(Jackson County Central School District Residents Only)

100%
83%
80%

56% 57%
60%
49%

40%
29%
26% 26%
22%
18% 17%
20%
8% 9%

0%
Yes No Unsure at this time
All Residents Staff Parents (Non-Staff) Non-Parents (Non-Staff)
PATHWAY 2: OPERATE TWO CAMPUSES
Close JCC Middle School building

Close Riverside Elementary School building

Pleasantview Elementary would be expanded to serve PK-6th grade

• Add classrooms, flexible learning space and a 3-court gym
• Replace exterior doors and repair masonry
• Replace the heating and ventilation, plumbing and electrical systems that have exceeded
their service life
• Update core finishes (e.g., paint walls, replace flooring and lockers and update lighting)
• Add security cameras, an access control system and a sprinkler system
• Update restrooms to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) code compliance
Estimated Cost: $25.6 million

JCC High School to serve PK and 7th-12th grade

• Add classrooms and flexible learning space to accommodate 7th and 8th grade
• Repair exterior masonry and pavement
• Address the heating and ventilation, plumbing and electrical system components that have
exceeded their service life
Estimated Cost: $14.4 million
Total Cost of Pathway 2: $40.0 million

Annual Operational Savings:

$300,000 to $350,000

The graph below depicts the additional tax impact for a $100,000 property, if the
community supported a $40 million bond.
Would you support the District pursuing Pathway 2?
(Jackson County Central School District Residents Only)

100%

80%

56% 58% 56% 56%

60%

40% 31%
27% 27% 25%
17% 19%
20% 15% 13%

0%
Yes No Unsure at this time
All Residents Staff Parents (Non-Staff) Non-Parents (Non-Staff)
Funding Support
The cost to address all of the needs of our schools could total up to $45 million.

The District believes this is a good time to consider addressing the needs of our schools.
Interest rates remain historically low, and in 2021 much of the District’s debt will be paid off.
This will reduce the tax increase of a new bond.

The District would like to know your level of support for a bond referendum.
How much of a tax increase over the current level would you
support through a bond referendum, assuming the projects
included were acceptable to you?
(Jackson County Central School District Residents Only)
50%
$45 million

15% 14% 22% 7% 6% 6% 21% 9%

Non-Parent Residents (Non-Staff) $40 million

$35 million

24% 15% 18% 6% 6% 6% 19% 6%

Parent Residents (Non-Staff) $30 million

$25 million
2%
34% 12% 26% 12% 4% 8% 2%
Staff Residents
I would only support a
smaller bond referendum

I'm not sure/need more

21% 14% 20% 7% 6% 6% 19% 7% information
All Residents
I would not support any
bond referendum
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
How much of a tax increase over the current level would you
support through a bond referendum, assuming the projects
included were acceptable to you?
(Jackson County Central School District Residents Only)
50%
$45 million

Non-Parent Residents (Non-Staff) 15% 14% 22% 7% 6% 6% 21% 9%

$40 million

24% 15% 6% 6% 6% $35 million

Parent Residents (Non-Staff) 18% 19% 6%

$30 million

34% 12% 26% 2% 8%2%

12% 4%
Staff Residents
$25 million

6% I would only support a

21% 14% 20% 7% 6% 19% 7%
All Residents smaller bond referendum

I'm not sure/need more

information
All residents who own property 13% 14% 22% 10% 5% 5% 21% 10%
taxed as agricultural land I would not support any
bond referendum
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Project Priorities
 What priority would you place on the following projects?
High (3), Medium (2), Low (1)
Parent Non-Parent
All Staff
Item Residents Residents
Residents Residents
(Non-Staff) (Non-Staff)

Update building heating and ventilation systems 2.59 2.74 2.61 2.55

Update electrical and plumbing systems 2.54 2.60 2.53 2.54

Replace inefficient doors, windows and roofs 2.42 2.40 2.40 2.45

Perform all deferred maintenance 2.42 2.54 2.39 2.43

Update safety and security 2.44 2.43 2.50 2.39

Update exterior building (masonry and pavement) 1.98 2.04 1.93 2.01

Build middle school career and technical

1.99 2.07 2.03 1.94
education spaces
Add gym space that is designed for physical
1.68 2.13 1.69 1.55
education, athletics and performances
Thank you!