Residents' Opinions Toward the Schools as Related to Their Willingness to Support the Schools Financially.

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between area residents' opinions about their schools and their willingness to support the schools financially. The instrument was designed by administrators, teachers, and survey specialists to be used by any school district. It was sent to 371 r and omly selected people; 208 returned the instrument. Analysis of the data revealed that: (1) Parental status, elementary attendance area, age, levels of formal education, and sex were not uniformly significant indicators of residents opinions about the schools, (2) There was a significant difference in support of additional money for school operation by parental status (parents higher) and elementary attendance area (attendance area also affected support of new buildings to replace older ones), (3) Age and sex significantly affected respondents' decisions about improving existing buildings, and (4) Educational level significantly affected support of additional money for operations, senior citizens programs and community education. It was determined that attempts to achieve successful voter approval on millage improvement should focus on people who met one or more of the following descriptions: (1) parents, (2) resident of specific attendance areas, (three of six tested), (3) people over 40, (4) people with four or more years of college training, and (5) females. In this study, demographics descriptions tended to have some influence on peoples' feelings about the school support. More complex analysis could prove even more helpful in selecting supportive groups to help influence school millage or change decisions.