Zumbrota-Mazeppa School District Community Survey Results Summer 2019

Survey Summary The survey was conducted in 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 = 847 (271 paper) Participation rate = 24% Margin of error = 3.4%

Respondent Information

What is your age?

Is your primary residence in the Zumbrota-Mazeppa Public School District?

In which municipality do you reside?

Do you own property within the Zumbrota-Mazeppa Public School District that is taxed as agricultural land?

Are you an employee of the Zumbrota-Mazeppa Public Schools?

Do you have children attending our schools?

If you have school-aged children, what school(s) do they attend?

How would you like to receive information regarding the Zumbrota-Mazeppa Public Schools?

District Feedback

Please tell us how well you believe we are doing in each of the following areas: Great (4), Good (3), Fair (2), Poor (1) Item Staff Parents (Non-Staff) Non-Parents Delivering a high-quality educational experience 3.66 3.40 3.22 Hiring and retaining high-quality faculty and staff 3.53 3.12 Providing a safe learning environment 3.11 3.02 2.95 Maintaining school facilities 2.71 2.69 2.72 Providing space for community use 3.07 2.83 Keeping the public informed 3.17 2.80 2.38

Overall, how satisfied are you with the Zumbrota-Mazeppa Public Schools? (All Respondents)

Referendum Feedback

How did you vote on the District’s $49 How did you vote on the District’s $49.95 million bond referendum question? (Zumbrota-Mazeppa School District Residents Only)

If you voted “No,” to the question, why? Item All Residents Staff Residents Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Non-Parent Residents Too expensive/felt the tax impact was too large 71% 83% 56% 79% Lacked trust in the District’s planning process 33% 54% 59% Did not support one or more of the proposed projects 51% 55% 50% Did not support the building of athletic facilities 35% 26% 40% Did not support moving the baseball field 27% 39% Lacked information regarding what was being proposed 36% 17% 37% Lacked trust in the District 21% 31% Did not believe the schools needed to be updated 12% 5% 15% Other 14% 0% 13% Felt the District should build a new school instead 28% 10% I would never support any bond referendum 4% 2% 6%

Planning Background

In 2016, the District began a process to develop a long-term master facility plan. Nexus Solutions conducted an assessment of each school building to identify facility needs and educational adequacies. Then, a Community Task Force, made up of parents, staff and community members, reviewed the assessment and identified potential projects to address the following needs:   IMPROVE SAFETY AND SECURITY The safety of our students and staff is a top priority. While all of our schools have secure entrances, there is a need to modify the entrances to route all visitors through the school offices to better control building access. In addition, dedicated bus and vehicle drop-off/pick-up lanes are needed to better separate vehicles and pedestrians. ADDRESS AGING BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE While our schools have been well maintained, due to their age, major systems (electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilation), as well as the roofs, doors, ceilings, flooring and casework are in need of repair and/or replacement. Additionally, updates are needed to address Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) code compliance. UPDATE EDUCATIONAL SPACES Many of our classrooms are too small and lack the space needed for both large and small group instruction. Our Career and Technical Education (CTE) labs need to be expanded and redesigned to allow for greater hands-on learning opportunities. The library media centers (LMCs) also need flexible space for student collaboration and better access to technology. Additional space is also needed to better meet the needs for special education programming. ADD SUPPORT SPACES The elementary school lacks a dedicated cafeteria, resulting in lunch being served in the gym. This requires staff to set up and take down tables daily and creates scheduling challenges for physical education classes. The school’s kitchen is also too small, resulting in students waiting extended times in serving lines during their lunch period. Additional gym space is needed at the middle/high school to meet the demands of physical education classes and cocurricular programs.

Next Steps

The School Board believes there are benefits to exploring another bond referendum at this time. The recently passed Ag2School Property Tax Relief Bill will further reduce the property tax impact on agricultural land for school improvements by 50% in 2020, 55% in 2021, and further additional relief in future years. Construction costs will continue to rise in future years, and interest rates remain historically low. Should the District pursue another bond referendum to address these needs? (Zumbrota-Mazeppa School District Residents Only)

Facility Planning Options

Do you support… Yes (10), No (1) Item All Residents Staff Residents Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Non-Parent Residents OPTION 1: Renovate and Expand All Existing Schools The District could address the infrastructure and educational inadequacies at all schools. This could be done in phases over time, based on the community’s willingness to financially support the projects. Estimated Cost: Up to $46.3 million 7.14 9.11 7.70 6.17 OPTION 2: Close the Mazeppa School and Build a 9th – 12th Grade High School The District could close the Mazeppa School and build a new high school with an athletic complex (fields and gymnasium) and an auditorium to serve students in 9th – 12th grade. The current Zumbrota School would be repurposed to serve all of the District’s PreK – 8th grade students. Estimated Cost: Up to $67.2 million 4.27 4.51 5.41 3.22 OPTION 3: Replace All the Schools with a New PreK – 12th Grade School The District could build a new school, consolidating all operations to one location. Although the initial investment would be higher, the District would realize efficiencies with two less buildings to maintain, heat, clean and operate. This configuration would make it easier to share staff across grade levels, increase staff time with students and reduce duplication of resources. Estimated Cost: Up to $97 million 3.32 3.84 4.54 2.10

New School Location

Please select the location that would be acceptable to you to build a new school. (Zumbrota-Mazeppa School District Residents Only)

Renovation and Expansion Projects If the community supports Option 1, which maintains all of the existing schools, some or all of the following projects could be funded through a bond referendum.

PRIMARY SCHOOL PROJECTS TOTALING $7 PRIMARY SCHOOL PROJECTS TOTALING $7.9 MILLION What priority would you place on the following projects? High (3), Medium (2), Low (1) Item All Residents Staff Residents Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Non-Parent Residents Update Building Infrastructure: The heating/ventilation, electrical and plumbing systems have exceeded their service life and are in need of replacement. The parking lot, single pane windows and exterior doors need to be replaced or repaired. Est. cost: $200,000 2.59 2.79 2.69 2.46 Improve Building Safety and Security: The school’s entrance needs to be redesigned to route visitors through a regulated area in the main office before having access to students. Traffic circulation will be improved by creating dedicated bus and vehicle drop-off/pick-up lanes and better separation from pedestrians. Est. cost: $600,000 2.49 2.78 2.64 2.27 Renovate Interior and Improve Accessibility: Flooring, walls (paint), ceiling tile, furniture, and cabinetry throughout the school are worn and in need of replacement. Updates are needed to bathrooms and building entrances to address Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance issues Est. cost: $500,000 2.23 2.50 2.31 2.10 Update Classrooms and Support Spaces: Classrooms and support spaces need to be redesigned to meet today’s learning needs, including the need for flexible learning space for hands-on learning and small group collaboration. Est. cost: $900,000 2.15 2.30 1.90 Add Classrooms and Outdoor Playground: Additional classrooms are needed to serve the District’s youngest learners. In addition, an outdoor playground and hard surface play area are needed. Est. cost: $5.7 million 2.02 2.53 2.20 1.70

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECTS TOTALING $14 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECTS TOTALING $14.9 MILLION What priority would you place on the following projects? High (3), Medium (2), Low (1) Item All Residents Staff Residents Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Non-Parent Residents Update HVAC System and Add a Sprinkler System: The heating/ventilation system has exceeded its service life and is in need of replacement. A fire sprinkler system also needs to be installed. Est. cost: $1.65 million 2.51 2.62 2.63 2.36 Improve Building Safety and Security: The school’s entrance needs to be redesigned to route visitors through a regulated area in the main office before having access to students, as well as provide ADA accessibility. Est. cost: $320,000 2.48 2.81 2.24 Replace the Gym, Upgrade Kitchen and Expand Cafeteria: The kitchen is too small and in need of facility upgrades to address health code regulations. The current cafeteria is also too small and needs to be expanded to support current and higher future enrollment. To expand the cafeteria, the existing small gym space would be utilized. A new replacement gym would then be needed for physical education, recess during inclement weather and community education activities. Est. cost: $4.9 million 2.20 2.61 1.92 Update Classrooms and Support Spaces Classrooms and support spaces, including the library, need to be redesigned to meet today’s learning needs, including the need for flexible learning space for hands-on learning and small group collaboration. The music room needs to be expanded and storage and practice rooms added. Locker rooms, ADA bathrooms and special education spaces need updating. Est. cost: $5.23 million 2.10 2.53 1.84 Add Six Classrooms and Outdoor Playground: Six additional general education classrooms are needed. Est. cost: $2.8 million 2.09 2.46 2.25 1.82

MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL PROJECTS TOTALING $22 MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL PROJECTS TOTALING $22.2 MILLION What priority would you place on the following projects? High (3), Medium (2), Low (1) Item All Residents Staff Residents Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Non-Parent Residents Update Building Infrastructure: The heating/ventilation, electrical and plumbing systems have exceeded their service life and are in need of replacement. Single pane windows and exterior doors need to be replaced or repaired. A fire sprinkler system also needs to be installed. Est. cost: $4.5 million 2.54 2.76 2.65 2.36 Improve Building Safety and Security: The school’s entrance needs to be redesigned to route visitors through a regulated area in the relocated main office before having access to students. ADA accessibility will also be provided. Traffic circulation will be improved by creating dedicated bus and vehicle dropoff/pick-up lanes and better separation from pedestrians. Office needs to be expanded to offer required additional student services. Est. cost: $3 million 2.44 2.73 2.63 2.15 Renovate Interior: Flooring, walls (paint), ceiling tile, furniture, lockers and cabinetry throughout the school are worn and in need of replacement. Kitchen equipment that has exceeded its service life is also in need of replacement. Est. cost: $775,000 2.16 2.42 2.25 2.01 Add and Update Classrooms/Support Spaces General education and special education classrooms and support spaces, including the library and auditorium, are in need of updates to better meet students’ needs. Updates to locker rooms and bathrooms are needed for ADA requirements. Est. cost: $8 million 2.13 2.57 2.29 1.85 Expand Technical Education Space and Add a Greenhouse: The Technical Education labs need to be renovated to better incorporate the latest equipment and allow for greater hands-on learning opportunities. The area can be expanded to include a metals, robotics and projects lab. A greenhouse would be built for Science, Agriculture and Family and Consumer Science courses. Est. cost: $2.3 million 1.99 2.30 1.75 Update Outdoor Athletic Fields: The competition track needs to be resurfaced and additional lanes added. In addition, the football field needs to be regraded, and the press box and lighting need to be replaced. Est. cost: $825,000 1.79 2.07 1.95 1.55 Add a Gym: An auxiliary gym with storage and restrooms could be built onto the school to meet the needs of elementary and special education physical education as well as the District’s community education programs, reducing scheduling challenges that force teams to practice late into the evening. Est. cost: $2.8 million 2.05 1.96 1.54

CHILDCARE CENTER PROJECTS TOTALING $1 CHILDCARE CENTER PROJECTS TOTALING $1.3 MILLION What priority would you place on the following projects? High (3), Medium (2), Low (1) Item All Residents Staff Residents Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Non-Parent Residents Improve Building Safety and Security: The school’s entrance needs to be redesigned to route visitors through a regulated area in the main office before having access to students. In addition, a card access system needs to be monitor access at all entrances. Est. cost: $250,000 2.38 2.75 2.50 2.15 Renovate Interior and Improve Accessibility: Flooring, walls (paint), ceiling tile and cabinetry are worn and in need of replacement. In addition, updates to bathrooms are needed to address Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance issues. Est. cost: $150,000 2.11 2.41 2.00 Add Two Classrooms: Two additional classrooms are needed. Est. cost: $900,000 2.03 2.49 2.10 1.84

Funding Support

The following table shows the annual and monthly tax impact for various bond referendum amounts. The District would like to know your level of support if the community supports exploring another bond referendum.

How much of a tax impact would you support through a bond referendum, assuming the projects included were acceptable to you? (Zumbrota-Mazeppa School District Residents Only) 50%

Thank you!