Duncanville schools get public’s thumbs up

by Bethany Berry of Duncanville TODAY

Results from a recent community survey showed residents have a positive impression of Duncanville Independent School District and details why a majority of voters voted against the 13-cent property tax increase.

Marc DelSignore, vice president of Baselice and Associates Inc., presented the preliminary report at a May 11 school board meeting and informed boardmembers that the district is “fairly well regarded” by the community, giving a 71 percent approval rating.

When compared to administration and school board members, teachers received a 68 percent rating from respondents. DelSignore contributed this to teachers as being the “face of the district.” Administration ranked 48 percent and boardmembers 40 percent.

DelSignore noticed differences in media sources respondents used to learn new information about the district, pointing out 42 percent of parents use the Internet as a source, while only 13 percent of other adults receive their information from the Internet.

“What's important to keep in mind is that non-parents tend to be a lot older,” he said. “And from previous research, older citizens aren't as apt to use the Internet, and this plays a part as to why they aren't as likely to use the Internet to get the information.”

The “old-fashioned newspaper” is the highest source of information among non-parents with 37 percent. Fifteen percent of DISD parents used newspapers to keep up with the happenings of the district.

TV, radio and family and friends were ranked close, but was low on the list of media avenues for district information.

Survey questions also related to the October 2008 property tax rate increase and revealed 73 percent of parents and non-parents who participated in last fall's election voted against the tax rise; 27 percent voted in favor of the increase.

According to DelSignore, parents are more likely to vote in favor of proposals involving their children, but found equal participation from both groups, regardless if they had children in the district.

Researchers asked interviewees, whether they voted or not, of their response to the tax election. One third of parents were in favor, 62 percent of parents voted against the increase. One in four non-parents voted in favor while 63 percent were against. The single high categories showed 25 percent of respondents believed taxes were too high; 8 percent believed the district needed the money.

Both groups shared similar opinions regarding the district's need to renovate existing facilities. They also believed the district has asked taxpayers for too much money to build new schools and renovate existing ones.

Other results concluded both groups are satisfied with how the district prepares students for college or careers and more than 60 percent were impressed with career and technology education programs in DISD.

DelSignore was optimistic and said there is always room for improvement, saying that although many interviewees appeared to be misunderstood about the tax proposal, residents would be more willing to vote if the district held an education campaign, explaining the purpose of the tax increase.

District officials were open to receive the results. Tammy Kuykendall, DISD director of communication and public relations, believes the results are essential in learning about the community's needs.

“In today's society it's critical in our success in ensuring the high level of education our students receive,” she said. “This is one of the early steps we took in order to build stronger connections with our community. We want to develop two-way communication.”