G.O. Bond Survey Results Presentation for
Hartnell Community College District
by
Isom Advisors,
a Division of Urban Futures, Inc.
February 16, 2016
1470 Maria Lane, Ste. 315 – Walnut Creek, CA 94596 – (925) 478-7450
Methodology
There are 96,397 registered voters in the District
Hartnell CCD

The Hartnell Community College District is currently assessing the feasibility of
placing a general obligation bond measure on an upcoming ballot.

A survey was conducted from 1/22/16 through 2/12/16 to assess support for the
proposed bond measure.

The survey tested voter attitudes regarding the District, projects to be funded
by the proposed measure, and tax tolerances.

500 individual voters were contacted, which resulted in an overall margin of
error of +/- 4.36%.

The 500 voters were comprised of 59% likely June 2016 (high propensity) voters
and 41% likely November 2016 (low/mid propensity) voters to help further
assess a June 2016 versus a November 2016 election. This is reflective of the
expected turnout by each voting universe.
2
Voter Attitudes and Benchmark
General Questions
Hartnell CCD
Most voters are satisfied with education in the District

Would you say that education in
California is headed in the right direction
or the wrong direction?

How would you rate the quality of
education provided by the College?
Poor
3%
Wrong
Direction
37%
Don't Know
15%
Excellent
23%
Right
Direction
41%
Fair
15%
Don't Know
22%
Good
44%
4
General Questions
Hartnell CCD
Majority of of voters have a connection to the District

How would you rate the condition of
the facilities provided by the College?

Are you or someone in your family currently
enrolled full-time or taking a course offered by
the College? Or Have you or someone in your
family EVER been enrolled full-time or taken a
course offered by the College?
Poor
2%
Excellent
24%
Don't
Know
18%
No - Never
24%
Yes-Current,
Full-Time
21%
Fair
11%
Yes-Current,
Course
6%
Good
45%
Yes-in the
Past
49%
5
General Questions
Hartnell CCD
Voters are satisfied with most aspects of the District

Now I would like to ask you several questions regarding different aspects of the
Hartnell Community College District. For each please tell me whether you would rate
it is as Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor?
College Board of Trustees
College President
College Faculty
Colleg's job at managing finances
0%
20%
Excellent
40%
Good
60%
Fair
80%
Don't Know
100%
Poor
6
General Questions
Hartnell CCD
Majority of voters recognize the value of a quality College

Now I would like to read you some statements about the College as well as other
community related issues. For each of the following statements please tell me if you
Agree or Disagree.
A quality College is important because it
provides training and education for better
paying jobs. *(SS_B1)
A quality College is good for the local
economy, because it provides training and
education for a skilled workforce and job
readiness. *(SS_B2)
Increasing access to higher education locally
must be improved as only 60% of adults over
the age of 25 have a high school diploma.
*(SS_A1)
0%
Stongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
20%
Don't Know
40%
60%
Somewhat Disagree
80%
100%
Strongly Disagree
*Split sample (SS) question – 50% of voters surveyed were asked version 1 and 50% were asked version 2
7
General Questions
Hartnell CCD
Majority of voters recognize the value of a quality College

Now I would like to read you some statements about the College as well as other
community related issues. For each of the following statements please tell me if you
Agree or Disagree.
Because the state continues to reduce funding
for community college facilities, local voters
need to do more to protect the quality of
facilities at their local colleges.
Improving literacy rates and access to higher
education should be a priority as only 5%-7% of
the District’s Latino population has attained a
4-year degree or higher.
Increasing access to higher education must be
improved as local adults over the age of 18
have very low participation rates for college.
*(SS_A2)
0%
Stongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
20%
Don't Know
40%
60%
Somewhat Disagree
80%
100%
Strongly Disagree
*Split sample (SS) question – 50% of voters surveyed were asked version 1 and 50% were asked version 2
8
General Questions
Hartnell CCD
Majority of voters were not aware of the refinancing

The District recently refinanced some outstanding Hartnell College bonds that
property taxpayers have been repaying over the years. The total savings to
taxpayers from the refinancing is nearly $175 million. How aware are you of this
recent financing?
Very Aware
6%
Somewhat
Aware
7%
Not Aware
87%
9
Ballot Measure (Pre-Benchmark)
Hartnell CCD
Support for measure is above the Prop. 39 55% threshold

At this time, the Community College District is looking to make classroom and
educational facility improvements and is considering placing a facilities improvement
bond measure before voters in your community on an upcoming ballot. If the
election were held today, would you vote YES in favor of the measure or would you
vote NO to oppose the measure?
“To improve the quality of education and job
training; provide upgraded college facilities
for students with funding that cannot be
taken by the state; renovate, modernize, and
construct classrooms, labs, and student
support facilities; increase student access to
modern technology; improve nursing,
science, agriculture, and literacy programs;
construct/expand libraries; and make
handicap accessibility and security
improvements, shall Hartnell Community
College District issue $170,000,000 of bonds at
legal interest rates, include an independent
citizens’ oversight committee, and NO
money for administrative salaries?”
Lean No
2%
No
14%
Undecided
10%
Lean Yes
4%
Yes
70%
10
G.O. Bond Projects
G.O. Bond Project
Hartnell CCD
All projects received over 55% voter support

For each project, please tell me whether it would make you More Likely or Less Likely
to vote in favor of the measure if you knew funds would be used to:
55%
Improve student access to computers and modern technology.
*(SS_A1)
Improve nursing and skilled healthcare facilities and programs.
Add or expand classrooms and labs for better job training and
a skilled workforce.
Provide new science, technology, engineering, and math
(STEM) labs.
Make health, safety and handicapped accessibility
improvements.
Construct additional educational facilities in South Monterey
County to expand access to learning opportunities.
Make technology upgrades at all campuses. *(SS_A2)
Expand or upgrade facilities to serve military veterans.
0%
Much More Likely
Somewhat More Likely
No Difference
20%
Don't Know
40%
60%
Somewhat Less Likely
80%
100%
Much Less Likely
*Split sample (SS) question – 50% of voters surveyed were asked version 1 and 50% were asked version 2
12
G.O. Bond Project
Hartnell CCD
All projects received over 55% voter support

For each project, please tell me whether it would make you More Likely or Less Likely
to vote in favor of the measure if you knew funds would be used to:
55%
Renovate outdated and aging classrooms, labs, and student
support facilities.
Provide space for universities to offer four-year bachelor’s
degrees.
Improve student and teacher safety by upgrading the EM
Systems including cameras, intercoms, and security systems.
Provide facilities to increase services for financial aid,
counseling, and tutoring.
Construct and expand libraries/learning centers.
Provide literacy and English language learning centers. *(SS_B1)
Upgrade aging electrical systems.
Add general education classes throughout the District to avoid
or reduce commuting between campuses.
0%
Much More Likely
Somewhat More Likely
No Difference
20%
Don't Know
40%
60%
Somewhat Less Likely
80%
100%
Much Less Likely
*Split sample (SS) question – 50% of voters surveyed were asked version 1 and 50% were asked version 2
13
G.O. Bond Project
Hartnell CCD
All projects received over 55% voter support

For each project, please tell me whether it would make you More Likely or Less Likely
to vote in favor of the measure if you knew funds would be used to:
55%
Make energy-efficiency improvements such as using solar
energy.
Construct a Student Center at E. Campus in Alisal that would
include a cafeteria, tutoring center, and student study areas.
Construct an education center in Soledad to expand access to
literacy programs and college level learning. *(SS_B2)
Construct additional educational facilities in South Monterey
County for student and community use.
Improve campus parking and facilities.
Upgrade athletic fields and facilities for student and community
use.
Provide indoor and outdoor student study spaces throughout
the campuses.
0%
Much More Likely
Somewhat More Likely
No Difference
20%
Don't Know
40%
60%
Somewhat Less Likely
80%
100%
Much Less Likely
*Split sample (SS) question – 50% of voters surveyed were asked version 1 and 50% were asked version 2
14
Tax Tolerances
Tax Tolerances
Hartnell CCD
There is support for $25 tax rate on a per month basis

If the proposed measure would cost property owners $25.00 per $100,000 of
assessed valuation per year/$2.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation per month,
would you vote “yes” in Favor of or “no” to Oppose the measure?
*SSA: $25.00/year
No
23%
*SSB: $2.00/month
Yes
45%
No
20%
Lean No
2%
Lean No
6%
Yes
62%
Undecided
12%
Undecided
20%
Lean Yes
6%
Lean Yes
4%
*Split sample (SS) question – 50% of voters surveyed were asked version 1 and 50% were asked version 2
16
Tax Tolerances
Hartnell CCD
There is support for $19 tax rate on a per month basis

If the proposed measure would cost property owners $19.00 per $100,000 of
assessed valuation per year/$1.60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation per month,
would you vote “yes” in Favor of or “no” to Oppose the measure?
*SSA: $19.00/year
*SSB: $1.60/month
No
18%
No
21%
Yes
52%
Lean No
4%
Lean No
2%
Yes
62%
Undecided
14%
Undecided
19%
Lean Yes
4%
Lean Yes
4%
*Split sample (SS) question – 50% of voters surveyed were asked version 1 and 50% were asked version 2
17
Tax Tolerances
Hartnell CCD
There is support for $12 tax rate on a per month basis

If the proposed measure would cost property owners $12.00 per $100,000 of
assessed valuation per year/$1.00 per $100,000 of assessed valuation per month,
would you vote “yes” in Favor of or “no” to Oppose the measure?
*SSA: $12.00/year
*SSB: $1.00/month
No
18%
Lean No
3%
Undecided
15%
Lean Yes
5%
No
18%
Yes
59%
Lean No
3%
Yes
64%
Undecided
12%
Lean Yes
3%
*Split sample (SS) question – 50% of voters surveyed were asked version 1 and 50% were asked version 2
18
Post Benchmark
Ballot Measure (Post-education)
Hartnell CCD
After education voter support remained above 55%

Now that you have heard some more information regarding the proposed
measure, projects, and cost, if the election were held today, would you vote YES
in favor of the measure or would you vote NO to oppose the measure?
Post-education
Lean No
3%
No
13%
Pre-education
Lean No
2%
Undecided
11%
Undecided
10%
Yes
69%
Lean Yes
4%
No
14%
Lean Yes
4%
Yes
70%
20
Ballot Measure (Post-education)
Hartnell CCD
Over 55% support for either a June or November election

Now that you have heard some more information regarding the proposed
measure, projects, and cost, if the election were held today, would you vote YES
in favor of the measure or would you vote NO to oppose the measure?
June 2016 Likely Voters
November 2016 Likely Voters
Lean No
2%
No
17%
Undecided
10%
Lean No
4%
Undecided
11%
Lean Yes
4%
No
8%
Yes
64%
Lean Yes
4%
Yes
76%
21
Conclusions and Recommendations
Conclusions and Recommendations
Over 55% voter support for the proposed measure
Hartnell CCD

86% of voters strongly agree that a quality College is important for providing
training and education for better paying jobs.

69% strongly agree that local voters need to do more to protect the quality
of facilities at their local colleges.

All of the bond projects tested, received over 55% voter support.

Support for a bond measure before voter education was 74% (70% Yes/4%
Lean Yes), and after education was 73% (69% Yes/4% Lean Yes).

All of the tax rates tested, when presented on a per month basis, received
over 55% voter support.

After voter education there is over 60% voter support for a bond measure
from both June 2016 likely voters and November 2016 likely voters.

We recommend the District to continue to reach out to and educate the
community to increase support after education, and plan on placing a bond
measure on a 2016 ballot.
23
Next Steps
Timeline – 2016 Election
Hartnell CCD
Following these steps are key to District’s success
Task
Responsible Party
Board Meeting - approve “exploring” feasibility of a bond
Conduct Survey
Initiate public information program, speaking with elected
officials, large taxpayers, community service groups to discuss
proposed bond
Board Meeting - Survey Results Presentation
Finalize Capital and Financing Plan based on Community
Outreach
District
Consultant
Complete
January
Complete
January
District
Nov. - March
Nov. - April
Consultant
February 2nd
February 2nd
Consultant
February
April
Consultant/Bond
Counsel
February
May
District
Feb. - March
June
District
March 12th
August 11th
Consultant/District
Campaign
Committee
Campaign
Committee
March
August
March
August
Prepare Resolution for Calling Election, including Ballot
Language, Project List, Tax rate Statement
Board Meeting - Board action to adopt Resolution Calling
Election
Deadline to Submit Resolution Calling Election and Tax Rate
Statement
Submit Argument in Favor of Measure
Form campaign committee and conduct campaign kickoff meeting
Run Campaign
Election Day
June 2016 Election Nov. 2016 Election
March - June
June 2016
August November
November 2016
25