Summit School District 2024 Post-Election Survey

Magellan Strategies is pleased to present the topline results of a post-election survey of 861 voters within Summit School District. The interviews were conducted from December 10th to 17th, 2024.

Voters in the Summit School District reported that Ballot Issue 4A was rejected by a clear margin, with significantly more voters saying they voted no than yes. Despite this outcome, most voters indicated that they understood the ballot language, suggesting that the measure’s failure was not due to confusion but rather to substantive concerns about its content and implications.

Supporters of the measure most often cited the value of investing in public education and infrastructure. Many emphasized the importance of expanding career and technical education programs, improving school facilities, and addressing the deteriorating condition of Breckenridge Elementary. Others highlighted the need to provide housing for teachers in a high-cost area as a strategy to improve recruitment and retention, viewing the measure as a long-term investment in both students and the local workforce.

Opponents, however, raised several consistent concerns that ultimately drove the outcome. The most prominent issue was the perceived tax burden, particularly in the context of recent property tax increases and broader cost-of-living pressures. Many voters also objected to the bundling of multiple projects into a single measure, expressing frustration that they could not selectively support components they favored while rejecting others. This bundling issue made it difficult for some voters to support the measure even if they agreed with certain elements.

Specific components of the ballot measure received varying levels of support. As shown in the table on page 4, repairing and updating existing schools was the most positively received element, with nearly two-thirds saying it made them more likely to vote yes. Expanding career and technical education also generated net positive reactions. In contrast, constructing teacher housing and building a new Breckenridge Elementary school were more polarizing, with higher shares saying these components made them less likely to support the measure. Relocating Snowy Peaks also produced mixed reactions, with many voters remaining neutral.

Broader feedback revealed concerns about communication and transparency throughout the campaign. Many voters felt the district did not adequately explain the need for the projects, the details of the proposals, or the financial implications. Misunderstandings about tax impacts and the purpose of certain initiatives contributed to skepticism. Voters also indicated that more effective outreach and clearer messaging could have improved support, particularly if the district had provided more detailed justifications for each component.

Voters also emphasized a desire for stronger alignment with core educational priorities. Many critics argued that the district should focus more directly on improving academic outcomes, addressing test scores, and supporting teachers, rather than investing in projects perceived as secondary or outside the district’s primary mission. Concerns about fiscal responsibility and trust in how funds would be managed further reinforced opposition, with some voters calling for the district to demonstrate better stewardship of existing resources before seeking additional funding.

Overall, the survey showed that while there was underlying support for investing in education and certain facility improvements, the structure and timing of Ballot Issue 4A limited its appeal. Opposition was driven by tax sensitivity, dissatisfaction with bundling multiple initiatives, skepticism about non-core projects such as housing, and concerns about transparency and accountability. The findings suggested that future proposals may need to be more narrowly focused, clearly communicated, and closely aligned with voter priorities to achieve broader support.