Douglas County voters split on school funding, per survey

2023 Ballot Question Considered

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Douglas County voters remain split on whether they support approving a bond and mill levy override for the school district since the funding measures narrowly failed in November 2022, according to new survey results.

e Douglas County school board received survey results from registered voters likely to participate in November 2023 election from Denver-based consultants Pac/West Strategies. e results were discussd during the April 11 meeting.

Of the 400 voters who answered the survey, 49% would vote for a mill levy override to pay sta competitive wages and 48% would vote for a bond to help nance new schools and building maintenance. When asked if they generally supported increasing school funding, 67% of voters agreed.

Mark Truax, president of Pac/ West Strategies, said the di erence is likely because jargon used for ballot questions can be hard for voters to decipher. Truax added that he is optimistic about the results because they show that support from last year hasn’t dropped.

In the 2022 election, a $60 million mill levy override to increase sta salaries and bene ts received 49% of the vote, while a $450 million bond for new schools and building maintenance received 46% of the vote.

“ e fact that there has not been an erosion in support between election day of last year and spring break of this year bodes very, very well,” he said.

When it comes to e ective arguments for the bond and mill levy override, survey results show 66% voters are persuaded by messaging