1.Prior to receiving this survey, how much had you read, seen, or heard about Sunset Ridge School District 29's proposed bond referendum to address facility needs at Middlefork School?

A lot

Some

Hardly anything

Nothing at all

2.When considering your overall opinion of Sunset Ridge School District 29, what letter grade would you give it?

A

B

C

D

F

Don't know

3.How would you grade the facilities at Middlefork School (serving grades K-3)?

A

B

C

D

F

Don't know

4.How would you grade the facilities at Sunset Ridge School (serving grades 4-8)

A

B

C

D

F

Don't know

5.How likely are you to vote in the March 17, 2026 Midterm Primary Election?

Very likely

Somewhat likely

Not very likely

Not at all likely

Don't know

6.How confident are you that District 29 would manage funds from a voter-approved bond referendum responsibly?

Very confident

Somewhat confident

Not very confident

Not at all confident

Don't know

7.How important are these possible facility improvements? On a scale from 1 (Low Priority) to 5 (High Priority), how much priority should be given to funding each of the following proposed projects at Middlefork School?

Low Priority (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

High Priority (5)

a) Safety and security improvements: Enhanced secure entry points, reinforced doors and windows, a designated storm shelter, a fire suppression system, interior movement barriers, and an emergency communication system.

Low Priority (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

High Priority (5)

b) Infrastructure and efficiency upgrades: New energy-efficient HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and lighting systems; a durable, energy-efficient building exterior; improved ventilation; and efficient windows that provide ample natural light.

Low Priority (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

High Priority (5)

c) Modern classrooms and learning spaces: A new two-story academic wing organized in grade-level clusters with 23 purpose-designed classrooms (16 core, 4 specials, 2 special education, and 1 preschool), and expanded space for small-group instruction and student support.

Low Priority (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

High Priority (5)

d) Accessibility enhancements: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible restrooms, pathways, and playground.

Low Priority (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

High Priority (5)

e) Preservation of certain common areas: Retaining the existing gymnasium and historic multipurpose room/cafeteria to reduce overall projects costs and help minimize disruptions for students and staff during construction.

Low Priority (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

High Priority (5)

8.How convincing do you find each statement supporting the possible bond referendum? Please rate each statement on a scale from 1 (Not At All Convincing) to 5 (Very Convincing).

Not At All Convincing (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Very Convincing (5)

a) Enrollment and programming needs have outgrown Middlefork School’s original design. Some instruction and student support services now occur in hallways, vestibules, and other non-classroom spaces, including on carts. Middlefork's academic wing clearly needs to be rebuilt.

Not At All Convincing (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Very Convincing (5)

b) Delaying improvements would likely increase costs due to inflation and ongoing maintenance needs. Acting now helps avoid higher future expenses.

Not At All Convincing (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Very Convincing (5)

c) Sunset Ridge School was rebuilt in 2017 without a referendum and is now a modern, high-performing facility. The Middlefork partial rebuild and renovation aims to meet the same standards of safety, efficiency, and instructional quality.

Not At All Convincing (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Very Convincing (5)

d) The District would fund at least 25% of the project using non-referendum resources, helping reduce borrowing costs and demonstrating a commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Not At All Convincing (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Very Convincing (5)

e) Having two modern, high-performing schools, both Middlefork and Sunset Ridge, would strengthen the entire community by supporting student success, attracting families to the district, and helping protect property values.

Not At All Convincing (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Very Convincing (5)

f) The phased construction approach made possible by a partial rebuild eliminates the need to relocate students and staff to modular classrooms at Sunset Ridge School, minimizing learning disruption and reducing costs.

Not At All Convincing (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Very Convincing (5)

9.How convincing do you find each statement opposing the possible bond referendum? Please rate each statement on a scale from 1 (Not At All Convincing) to 5 (Very Convincing).

Not At All Convincing (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Very Convincing (5)

a) Taxes are already too high.

Not At All Convincing (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Very Convincing (5)

b) Given the current economic uncertainty, now is not the right time to pursue additional taxpayer-funded projects.

Not At All Convincing (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Very Convincing (5)

c) The District should prioritize instruction and curriculum over facility upgrades.

Not At All Convincing (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Very Convincing (5)

d) The proposed improvements are too extensive. Fewer renovations and more modest additions would be more appropriate.

Not At All Convincing (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Very Convincing (5)

e) Even if the current academic wing of Middlefork School is not ideal for students and staff, the District should continue using it without making extensive updates.

Not At All Convincing (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Very Convincing (5)

10.If approved, the proposed 20-year, $30 million bond would result in an estimated annual tax increase of $896 (about $75 per month) for a home with a fair market value of $750,000. How concerned are you about the effect on your family’s budget?

Very concerned

Somewhat concerned

Not very concerned

Not at all concerned

Don't know

11.Potential Bond Question. If a local Public Opinion Survey election were held today, would you vote “yes” in favor of, or “no” to oppose, the following funding proposal:

Shall the Board of Education of Sunset Ridge School District Number 29, Cook County, Illinois, build and equip an academic building to replace a portion of the Middlefork School Building, alter, repair and equip the remaining portion of said school building, improve the site thereof, install safety and security measures, increase student accessibility to educational and outdoor spaces, and issue its bonds to the amount of $30,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

Definitely yes

Probably yes

Probably no

Definitely no

Don't know

12.Potential Alternative Bond Question. An alternative approach would be to renovate and expand Middlefork School instead of rebuilding it. This option would reduce the proposed referendum amount to $15,000,000 and cut the estimated tax impact in half. While this plan would address many facility needs, it would not address all.
For example, this plan would:
• Include basic safety and security upgrades, but not structural reinforcement or layered security
• Provide three fewer classrooms and fewer spaces for student support and intervention
• Include exterior improvements, but not a full transformation
• Leave some needs unaddressed, such as full ADA accessibility, energy efficiency, and grade-level organization

If a local election were held today, would you vote “yes” in favor of, or “no” to oppose this downsized referendum option?

Definitely yes

Probably yes

Probably no

Definitely no

Don't know

The remaining questions are for statistical purposes only.

13.Do you have school-age children or grandchildren?

Yes, children

Yes, grandchildren

No (if no, skip to Q15)

14.If yes, which school(s) do they attend? (Check all that apply.)

Middlefork School

Sunset Ridge School

New Trier High School

Other

15.What is your age? (If multiple people are responding, check all that apply.)

18-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65-74

75 or older

16.What is your gender? (If multiple people are responding, check all that apply.)

Male

Female

Prefer not to answer