Missoulians Give Public Schools a ‘B’ Grade in Poll, Indicate Support for Bond Issues
Missoula County Public Schools recently paid a polling firm to gauge the public’s willingness to vote for upcoming bond issues. The Harstad Strategic Research Poll surveyed 502 likely Montana voters and indicates majority support for both a 110 million dollar elementary bond as well as a 75 million dollar High School Bond.
"I think the district was very happy, and enthused to see that the public's response was that they would, in large part, support a bond for both the elementary and the high School districts to improve our public schools," said MCPS Communications Director Hatton Littman. "In fact, over 65 percent of Missoulian likely voters that were polled indicated that they would support a bond both in the elementary and the high school districts."
The poll also asked Missoulians to grade Missoula area schools.
"Several questions asked, you know, do people think we are on the right track or the wrong track as well as what grade would you give the schools that your child attends," Littman said. "In large part people would give our schools a 'B' and in certain significant cases an 'A' for our schools. So we certainly think that's great and a validation of all the efforts of our teaching staff, our administrators, and, really, our students, who are achieving everyday.
Harstad Strategic Research representatives will be in Missoula tonight, January 3, in the Business Building on South Avenue for a discussion with school trustees. The poll is on the agenda for discussion at 7:00 p.m. (full meeting goes from 6:00 to 9:00) and the public is invited.