PERRYVILLE SCHOOL POLL PROMPTS QUESTIONS ON DISTRICT'S SPENDING

PERRYVILLE -- The public school district is preparing to spend money and to seek a tax increase but not until they hear how the community wants them to do it.A public opinion survey conducted by a St. Louis firm tells Perryville School District officials that although most are willing to take on a tax levy or bond issue for school improvements, they don't trust the district's spending habits, said Superintendent Steve Doerr.And he is concerned."At the lowest level of government, you should have the most trust," he said.The district had hired Attitude Research Co. to survey residents in early November about several school issues, chief of which was reaction to a possible tax levy or bond issue to fund improvements.Neither Doerr nor Dennis Martin, school board president, see any objective reason for residents to question spending. Both attribute it more to a mistrust that many share toward government in general rather than a specific problem with Perryville schools. Nevertheless, how to convert this lack of trust is something that needs to be considered, Doerr said.Ironically, 64.2 percent of the 402 residents surveyed said they would support a tax increase to assure their schools are as good or better as others in the region.Doerr suggested the key to improving trust is people feeling that their opinions are heard. In the survey. Eighty-three percent said they would pay higher taxes to support the schools if they knew where the money was going."We have a fiscally conservative community," he said. "The district needs to remain fiscally conservative, too."This has galvanized school administrators into seeking more public opinion concerning what residents are willing to pay for new facilities, teachers' salaries and building maintenance. Doerr said.The district has held two public forums this month. Both had low attendance, Doerr said."For the people who were there, we tried to be as specific as we could with the number of classes we need," he said.The district's Long Range Planning Committee will examine the survey and other information before making a recommendation to the school board on Dec. 29, Doerr said.Three main issues will be examined for the board, said Karl Klaus, committee vice-chairman. They are facilities maintenance, teacher retention and facilities expansion. The issues will be weighed as a possible tax levy or bond is considered to support them, Doerr said.Retention is important, Martin said, since the district experienced a 25 percent teacher turnover this year.The planning committee, which was formed in 1991, is made up of a wide variety of community members, and anyone who expresses an interest to join is welcome."We even have people on the committee whose children attend parochial schools," said Rick Fisher, assistant superintendent. "They realize the influence that public schools can have on the community as a whole."Martin was encouraged by residents' desires to maintain quality schools on par with other area districts. "I wasn't sure that the board was getting this message across," he said.Doerr was also surprised that 36 percent of residents thought that county taxes were higher than average. Compared to 13 neighboring school districts, Perryville's rate of $2.70 is the least, he said. In comparison, Cape Giraraid.

PERRYVILLE SCHOOLS SURVEY

Respondents were asked whether they would strongly favor, favor, oppose or strongly oppose "a possible $13 million bond proposal for the Perryville School District to support school renovation and construction."

Response......%Responding

Strongly favor, 19.2

Favor, 35.1

Lean Favor, 2.5

Undecided, 4.5

Lean Oppose, 3.0

Oppse, 24.4

Strong Oppose, 10.7

Other/DK, 0.7

Total Favor, 56.8

Total Oppose, 38.1

Respondents were asked their views on "a possible proposal by the Perryville School District to increase its operating levy by 25 cents per $100 assessed valuation to support recruiting and retaining teachers and staff."

Response......%Responding

Strongly favor, 16.9

Favor, 40.3

Lean Favor, 2.0

Undecided, 4.2

Lean Oppose, 2.0

Oppse, 21.6

Strong Oppose, 12.2

Other/DK, 0.7

Total Favor, 59.2

Total Oppose, 35.8