South Routt RE-3 School District 2024 Ballot Measure Survey

Magellan Strategies is pleased to present the topline results of a survey of 216 voters within South Routt School District RE-3. The interviews were conducted from July 18th to 30th, 2024.

The survey measured voter sentiment toward South Routt School District RE-3 across district performance, finances, and potential capital construction options. On balance, voters held a modestly positive view of the district and gave passing marks to its work educating students, though a majority did not believe the district had sufficient financial resources to provide a quality education. Roughly half agreed the district was fiscally responsible, though a substantial share remained unsure. More voters felt the district was headed in the wrong direction than the right one.

Those who felt the district was moving in the right direction pointed to strong leadership under the current superintendent, the quality and dedication of teachers, and the availability of diverse student programs including agriculture, arts, and dual-enrollment college opportunities. Those who felt it was off track cited high teacher turnover, dissatisfaction with administration and school board decision-making, and a perception that the district was prioritizing new facilities over teacher pay and educational quality.

When presented with two facility options — a new PK-12 school in Oak Creek or a two-story addition to Soroco Middle/High School — voters leaned toward the addition, though a significant portion remained undecided. Support for the new Oak Creek school dropped further when voters learned it would require closing South Routt Elementary School in Yampa, with nearly half saying that prospect made them less likely to support it.

When asked what the Yampa elementary building should be used for if it were closed, the top preference by a wide margin was teacher housing, followed by a recreation center and community event space. Open-ended responses also reflected interest in combining uses, including childcare facilities, affordable housing for community members, and senior services.

Voters were broadly supportive of the district pursuing a BEST grant — the state-managed Building Excellent Schools Today program — to help offset the cost of construction, even knowing that such grants are competitive and not guaranteed.

When asked about the specific ballot measure for the Soroco addition — a bond paired with a BEST grant request — initial support and opposition were nearly tied. After voters received additional information about the project, including the fact that the current middle school building would be closed and potentially demolished, support declined and opposition grew. The prospect of tearing down the middle school was particularly unpopular, with roughly half of voters opposed.

Those who said they would vote yes on the ballot measure cited the need to modernize outdated and unsafe facilities, the cost-effectiveness of adding onto an existing building rather than building new, and the need for additional space to accommodate student growth. Those who said they would vote no raised concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers, argued the district should prioritize teacher salaries and staffing over construction, and questioned whether new facilities were truly necessary given what they saw as adequate existing buildings.