Survey
to gauge reaction to plans
P'burg wants residents to weigh in on
schools.
Tuesday, July 06, 2004 • By LINDA LISANTI •
The Express-Times
PHILLIPSBURG -- When residents reach into their
mailboxes next week, they will find something else besides
just their bills.
The Phillipsburg School District is mailing out a survey
to every homeowner in the town.
The questionnaire's purpose is to gauge the public's
opinion on the community-use spaces proposed for inclusion
in the new Early Childhood Center and the new high school
that will soon be built.
Superintendent Gordon Pethick said school officials
decided on the survey because they wanted to gather feedback
from a cross-section of the community.
"It's a solid way to collect information," Pethick
said.
The $18.7 million Early Childhood Center, which will be
built on 11 acres off Center Street, is slated to open in
September 2005.
The $71 million high school, to be built on 126 acres on
Belvidere Road in Lopatcong Township, will open its doors in
September 2007.
The New Jersey Schools Construction Corp. -- which is
funding and overseeing the schools' construction -- has
refused to back certain features because they do not
directly relate to education.
These community-use spaces are meant to transform the
schools from education-only institutions into centers of the
community, district officials said.
They include health centers at both schools and, at the
high school, an art gallery, day care center,
planetarium/observatory, an indoor track and pool,
artificial turf and lights for one field, enhanced lighting
and sound systems for the auditorium, an orchestra pit and
additional space for rehearsals and costume and scenery
storage.
These features will have to be paid for by local tax
dollars through a school bond referendum.
The survey is four parts. It first asks residents
general questions such as their gender, age, length of
residency and whether they have school-aged children
enrolled in the Phillipsburg School District.
The questionnaire then asks respondents to answer
whether they are aware or not of the building projects and
the financial situation the district faces.
The third part of the survey asks residents to rate how
important or not important they believe the various
community features are.
Lastly, the poll asks respondents whether they are
registered voters and how likely they would be to vote in a
bond referendum election for the community features.
The survey was prepared by Patricia Morris Associates a
consulting company in Clark, N.J., hired by the district in
April to gather input on the community spaces.
Trish Morris, vice president of the Patricia Morris
Associates, said the company has worked with more than 150
school districts in New Jersey on similar projects.
"Although the school board and the administration may
think they know what the public wants, it is important for
them to know if they really do," Morris said.
Surveys are successful, she said. A good response rate
is about 4 percent, but often times, more than that are
returned, she said.
Once the surveys are received, the firm will gather the
data and present a report to the district.
Pethick said school officials will review the data to
see what areas are supported and then decide what will go on
the referendum.
Reporter Linda Lisanti can be reached at 610-258-7171 or
by e-mail at llisanti@express-times.com.
Copyright 2004
The Express-Times. Used with permission.
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