Insights from Carlton and Wrenshall School Districts Community Survey 2020

Community Survey Results Carlton and Wrenshall School Districts Winter 2020

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Survey Summary The survey was conducted in January of 2020. Residents within each 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 = 1,121 (471 paper) Response rate = 33% Margin of error = +/- 2.9%

Respondent Information

What is your age? 28% 30% 25% 21% 19% 20% 17% 15% 12% 10% 3% 5% 0% 18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-64 65 and older

In which district do you live? 13% 51% Carlton 36% Wrenshall Other

In which municipality do you reside? 27% Twin Lakes Township 14% City of Carlton 11% None of the above 11% Silver Brook Township 10% Wrenshall Township 9% City of Wrenshall 7% Blackhoof Township 4% Holyoke Township 3% Sawyer Township 2% Perch Lake Township 1% Clear Creek 0.20% Corona Township 0% Progress Township 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Are you an employee of either the Carlton or Wrenshall School District? 13% Yes (n=126) No 87%

Do you have school-age children? 37% Yes (n=361) 63% No

Please check all grade ranges that apply: (Parents of school-age children only) 41% 9th 12th grade 43% 6th 8th grade 49% K 5th grade 20% Birth PreK 1% Does not apply 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Which school district do your children currently attend? (Parents of school-age children only) 39% Wrenshall 36% Carlton 23% Other 2% Does not apply 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

How would you like to receive information regarding the potential consolidation and facility planning? 77% Mailings 78% 27% Images Wrenshall Community News 35% 17% Facebook 33% Non-Parents (Non-Staff) 16% Websites 32% 24% Community informational meetings 27% Parents (Non-Staff) 39% Carlton Community News 25% 42% Pine Knot News 24% 29% Pine Journal 23% 11% Attend School Board meetings 13% 2% Other 6% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Planning Background

As the Carlton and Wrenshall School Districts study consolidation, they have considered the following: FACILITY NEEDS Although the school buildings have served both districts well, due to their age, major building infrastructure, safety and security, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) code compliance updates are needed at each building, including: South Terrace Elementary School - Improve school safety by routing visitors through a secure main office - Replace roofs, plumbing, and electrical systems that have exceeded their service life - Replace windows that are single-pane glass and inefficient - Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) code compliance upgrades - Update core classroom finishes (e.g., paint walls and replace flooring, lockers) - Improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow surrounding school - Renovate restrooms

Carlton Middle/High School - Improve school safety by routing visitors through a secure main office and update fire/emergency systems - Replace heating/ventilation, electrical, and plumbing systems that have exceeded their service life - Update core classroom finishes (e.g., replace flooring, lighting, casework) - Replace inefficient windows and doors and repair building exterior - Update classrooms and science and industrial arts labs - Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) code compliance upgrades - Improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow surrounding school - Renovate the fitness and locker rooms - Replace existing kitchen, cafeteria, and small gym

Wrenshall School - Improve school safety with visitor access through main office - Replace roofs, windows, and doors to improve energy efficiency - Complete tuckpointing on building s exterior - Renovate science and industrial arts classrooms and labs to allow for project-based learning and updated equipment - Add gym space and outdoor athletic facilities as well as update locker rooms - Renovate swimming pool or repurpose space - Repave existing parking lots In addition, updates are needed to address educational inadequacies. Teaching and learning have changed significantly in the last 60 years. Many of the schools classrooms lack the flexible space needed for both large group instruction and student collaboration. In addition, today s classrooms require greater electrical capacity to meet technology demands as well as additional space for early childhood, special education, Indian education, and mental health programming.

OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES Small schools often have staffing inefficiencies. Because the number of students in each grade level can vary significantly, class sizes and the student-to-teacher ratio will also vary. School funding is based on enrollment, so needing more teachers to cover small classes is expensive. Efficiently scheduling required educational specialists (music, physical education, art) and student services staff (counselors, school nurses, psychologists, social workers) in smaller districts is also challenging and often results in increased expenses. Finally, the number of administrative and support services staff (cooks, custodians, secretarial) needed to effectively run a small district can also be costly.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Improving operational efficiencies and increasing class sizes as a consolidated district would allow for more opportunities for students than the districts can provide alone, including: - Increased course offerings and college/career preparation - Greater support for students who have difficulty learning and those who need to be challenged - Additional athletic, music, art, and other club activities

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF CHOICE Minnesota s Statewide Open Enrollment Program allows students the right to attend a public school outside of their residential district. Because school funding is determined by enrollment numbers, it is a priority of school districts to become the district of choice by having a culture of educational excellence and offering a variety of high-quality academic, athletic, and co-curricular programs and services. The additional funding generated by students who open enroll allows a district to offer and expand programs and services for not only these students, but also resident students, and improves the district s long-term financial stability.

Consolidation

Becoming a consolidated school district, one school district providing services for all students (pre-kindergarten through 12th grade) who live in the Carlton and Wrenshall districts, could allow the district to address the identified facility needs and improve the educational offerings available to students. Consolidation would also impact the following: PROPERTY TAX CHANGE: EXISTING DEBT AND OPERATING LEVIES If the two school districts consolidate there is likely to be a change to the school portion of property owners tax bills. Both districts have existing debt that would be shared equally across the newly combined district, along with the operating referendum approved by Carlton School District voters. There are many other school taxes that could potentially change with a consolidation, but a preliminary estimate of the change in the operating referendum and debt portions of the tax bill for a $150,000 residential property is: Carlton School District: A decrease of $14 ($312.00 to $298.00) Wrenshall School District: An increase of $42 ($256.00 to $298.00)

STATE AID FOR FACILITY PROJECTS If the two school districts consolidate, facility upgrades will be needed. By becoming a consolidated school district, the new district may qualify for funding support from the state, called Enhanced State Debt Equalization Aid. This funding could reduce the local tax burden for school facility projects by up to 46%. If the districts do not consolidate, facility upgrades may still be needed, and the state aid will not be available. TIMING Consolidation would require joint planning as well as facility updates and expansion. If the communities support consolidation, the following timeline is being proposed: 2020-21 school year: Districts operate independently and plan for consolidation. 2021-22 school year: Districts become one consolidated school district. Facility updates and expansion occur. 2022-23 school year: Facility projects are completed.

Given, this information, do you support the Carlton and Wrenshall School Boards exploring consolidation and a consolidated facility plan? (Carlton and Wrenshall School District Residents) 100% 81% 81% 80% 80% 80% 60% 40% 17% 14% 13% 20% 11% 8% 7% 6% 2% 0% Yes No Not sure/need more information All Residents Staff Parents (Non-Staff) Non-Parents (Non-Staff)

Given, this information, do you support the Carlton and Wrenshall School Boards exploring consolidation and a consolidated facility plan? (Carlton School District Residents Only) 100% 83% 81% 80% 76% 80% 60% 40% 21% 15% 12% 20% 9% 8% 7% 5% 3% 0% Yes No Not sure/need more information All Residents Staff Parents (Non-Staff) Non-Parents (Non-Staff)

Given, this information, do you support the Carlton and Wrenshall School Boards exploring consolidation and a consolidated facility plan? (Wrenshall School District Residents Only) 100% 90% 79% 77% 76% 80% 60% 40% 17% 16% 13% 20% 10% 8% 7% 7% 0% 0% Yes No Not sure/need more information All Residents Staff Parents (Non-Staff) Non-Parents (Non-Staff)

Facility Planning

SERVE ALL ELEMENTARY STUDENTS AT SOUTH TERRACE ELEMENTARY IN CARLTON Given the total number of elementary students (pre-kindergarten through 5th grade) in Carlton and Wrenshall, the district could serve all of these students at one location. South Terrace Elementary School is located in Carlton. The school was built in 1962 to serve students in kindergarten through 6th grade. A renovation to the school in 2018 included new boilers and updates to the air handling system, fire safety updates, renovation of classroom finishes, and repaving of parking lots. The facility assessment determined that the school is structurally sound and has the support spaces to meet the needs of additional students. The following additions and renovations are needed: Create a secure entrance to better control visitor access Add classrooms and early childhood space Update classrooms to create student collaboration and small group instruction spaces as well as space for music, art, science and Indian education Update and expand the cafeteria to create a commons for school and community use Replace single-pane windows and interior doors Renovate restrooms Build a new gym and locker rooms for physical education (existing small gym to be converted to classrooms) Create dedicated drop-off/pick-up lanes to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety Estimated Cost: $9.95 million

SERVE ALL MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT WRENSHALL SCHOOL Wrenshall School was built in 1956. The school was expanded and renovated in 1963, 1976, and 1998. Updates to the HVAC system, classroom finishes, roof sections, lighting, and water heaters have been done in the past three years. In addition, the Wrenshall School Board recently approved $9.3 million in health and safety projects to be completed in the building in 2020. The facility assessment found the school was structurally sound and had the space needed for potential expansion. The renovations and expansions would: Create a secure entrance to better control visitor access Remodel classrooms to create student collaboration and small group instruction spaces Update ceilings, lighting, casework, and technology infrastructure Update classrooms and labs for Career and Technical Education, project-based learning, music, art, science, and Indian education Update special education rooms Relocate and expand the kitchen and cafeteria to create a commons for school and community use Add a 2-court gym and locker rooms (existing gym to be converted to classrooms) Build a 350-seat auditorium Create dedicated drop-off/pick-up lanes to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety Update the track and outdoor athletic fields Estimated Cost: Up to $29.76 million

CLOSE AND DECOMMISSION CARLTON MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL Carlton Middle/High School was built in 1915. The school was expanded and renovated in 1927, 1953, and 1970. The proposed plan would close and decommission the school. The building could then be sold and repurposed for community or private use. The Carlton County Commissioners have expressed interest in the property for an expanded jail project. REOPEN THE POOL AT WRENSHALL SCHOOL The Wrenshall School swimming pool was originally built in 1976. Although the 4,800-square foot pool was well maintained, many of the mechanical systems are at the end of their service lives and in need of replacement. Due to failing equipment, the pool was drained last year. The renovation of Wrenshall School could be expanded to renovate and reopen the pool for school and community use, including physical education classes and community swimming lessons. The cost to heat, clean, and maintain the pool is approximately $30,000 per year. Estimated Cost: $1.7 million

Would you support a plan that would Yes (10), No (1) (Carlton and Wrenshall School District Residents) Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Non-Parent Residents (Non-Staff) All Staff Residents Item Residents close and decommission Carlton Middle/High School? 8.92 9.65 8.98 8.97 update and expand South Terrace Elementary School to serve all PreK 5th grade Carlton and Wrenshall students? Estimated Cost: $9.95 million 8.43 8.33 8.38 8.58 update and expand Wrenshall School to serve all 6th 12th grade Carlton and Wrenshall students? Estimated Cost: $29.76 million 7.76 8.04 7.62 7.94 maintain a pool at Wrenshall School for all Carlton and Wrenshall students and community members? Estimated Cost: $1.7 million 5.29 5.08 6.26 4.87

Would you support a plan that would Yes (10), No (1) (Carlton School District Residents Only) Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Non-Parent Residents (Non-Staff) All Staff Residents Item Residents close and decommission Carlton Middle/High School? 8.81 9.44 8.70 8.91 update and expand South Terrace Elementary School to serve all PreK 5th grade Carlton and Wrenshall students? Estimated Cost: $9.95 million 8.45 7.82 8.19 8.75 update and expand Wrenshall School to serve all 6th 12th grade Carlton and Wrenshall students? Estimated Cost: $29.76 million 7.39 7.35 6.68 7.84 maintain a pool at Wrenshall School for all Carlton and Wrenshall students and community members? Estimated Cost: $1.7 million 4.96 3.81 5.40 4.94

Would you support a plan that would Yes (10), No (1) (Wrenshall School District Residents Only) Parent Residents (Non-Staff) Non-Parent Residents (Non-Staff) All Staff Residents Item Residents close and decommission Carlton Middle/High School? 8.92 10.00 9.12 8.88 update and expand South Terrace Elementary School to serve all PreK 5th grade Carlton and Wrenshall students? Estimated Cost: $9.95 million 8.30 9.14 8.68 8.06 update and expand Wrenshall School to serve all 6th 12th grade Carlton and Wrenshall students? Estimated Cost: $29.76 million 8.13 9.14 8.47 7.92 maintain a pool at Wrenshall School for all Carlton and Wrenshall students and community members? Estimated Cost: $1.7 million 5.66 7.00 7.00 4.75

Funding Support with Consolidation

The cost to update and expand the two schools as presented in this survey could total up to $40.1 million, depending on the decision on whether or not to renovate the swimming pool. The following table shows the tax increases for three potential bond options. The increases have already calculated the state aid described in the "Consolidation" section of this survey that the districts could be eligible for if they consolidate and are in addition to the property tax change that will occur due to consolidation (see "Consolidation" section). The districts would like to know your level of support for a bond referendum.

How much of a tax increase for the proposed consolidated school district facility updates would you support through a bond referendum? (Carlton and Wrenshall School District Residents) 50% $40.1 million 36% 11% 6% 19% 10% 9% 9% Non-Parent Residents (Non-Staff) $38.4 million $32.2 million 4% 10% 6% 52% 12% 10% 6% Parent Residents (Non-Staff) I would only support a smaller bond referendum I'm not sure/need more information 7% 12% 14% 39% 19% 4% 5% Staff Residents I would not support any bond referendum I do not support consolidation 9% 9% 7% 41% 16% 10% 8% All Residents 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

How much of a tax increase for the proposed consolidated school district facility updates would you support through a bond referendum? (Carlton School District Residents Only) 50% $40.1 million 35% 13% 6% 18% 11% 8% 9% Non-Parent Residents (Non-Staff) $38.4 million $32.2 million 4% 14% 8% 48% 8% 10% 8% Parent Residents (Non-Staff) I would only support a smaller bond referendum I'm not sure/need more information 14% 11% 27% 27% 11% 5% 5% Staff Residents I would not support any bond referendum I do not support consolidation 11% 9% 8% 37% 16% 12% 7% All Residents 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

How much of a tax increase for the proposed consolidated school district facility updates would you support through a bond referendum? (Wrenshall School District Residents Only) 50% $40.1 million 36% 7% 9% 19% 10% 12% 7% Non-Parent Residents (Non-Staff) $38.4 million $32.2 million 5% 6% 54% 17% 8% Parent Residents (Non-Staff) 4% 6% I would only support a smaller bond referendum I'm not sure/need more information 10% 5% 20% 60% 5% Staff Residents I would not support any bond referendum I do not support consolidation 7% 10% 7% 43% 17% 8% 8% All Residents 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Open enrollment

Do you open enroll your children out of either the Carlton or Wrenshall School District? (Parents of school-age children only) 26% Yes No 74%

Do you open enroll your children into either the Carlton or Wrenshall School District? (Parents of school-age children only) 24% Yes No 76%

If you currently open enroll into either the Carlton or Wrenshall School Districts, which school district do you live in? (Parents of school-age children who open enroll into Carlton or Wrenshall School Districts only) 33% Duluth 23% Cloquet 19% Wrenshall 13% Carlton 6% Barnum 2% Other 1% Proctor 1% Esko 1% Cromwell 0% Does not apply 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

If the Carlton and Wrenshall School Districts consolidate and implement the facility plan as described in this survey, we are interested in your future plans. (Parents of school-age children who open enroll into Carlton or Wrenshall School Districts only) 100% 80% 49% 60% 26% 25% 40% 20% 0% I will enroll my child(ren) at the consolidated Carlton-Wrenshall 6 12 site in Wrenshall I will enroll my child(ren) at the consolidated Carlton-Wrenshall PreK 5 site at South Terrace in Carlton I am unsure of my plans

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