Survey presented to Wyoming City school board shows broad satisfaction with schools and preference for single-site primary replacement

Paul Fallon, a public opinion researcher with Fallon Research and Communications Incorporated, presented the results of a community survey to the Wyoming City School District board and said the data show strong resident confidence in local schools.

"Eighty-nine percent of respondents said they were satisfied with the quality of life in this community," Fallon told the board, reporting results from interviews and text-to-web surveys completed March 5–19. He said the survey was conducted "with 27 adults" living in the district and noted an overall estimated margin of sampling error of 6.81% (rounded to 7%). Fallon also said the results were weighted to match adult population estimates.

The survey found 49% of respondents chose the quality of schools as the biggest reason they moved to or stayed in the area. Fallon reported 74% of respondents said they were satisfied with the Wyoming City School District overall, and 86% rated the quality of education as "excellent" or "good." Ratings of the district's budget management were lower: 62% rated that area "excellent" or "good," while 23% were unsure, Fallon said.

Facility condition was a focal point. Fallon reported that 49% of respondents rated overall school buildings and facilities as "excellent" or "good," but ratings for kindergarten through fourth-grade buildings were weaker: 29% "excellent" or "good," 30% "fair," and 22% "poor" or "very poor." He said 82% of respondents were aware the district is considering replacement plans for primary buildings and that 66% were aware those buildings are more than 70 years old and may not meet modern needs such as security.

Fallon said the survey tested two facility options. The "same-site" option—replacing the three current primary schools with new K–4 buildings all at a single location—received the most favorable response, with 60% of respondents calling it a "good idea" (68% among parents). The grade-band option—new K–2 buildings at Elm and Vermont and a 3–4 building at Hilltop—received less support: 35% "good idea," 46% "bad idea" and 19% unsure, he reported.

On communications, Fallon said residents rely on multiple channels: 19% most frequently read school emails and publications, 15% cited social media and 13% city publications; 30% volunteered "all or combination thereof," which he said makes public outreach more complex.

During a question-and-answer period, a board member asked how the sample was prepared. Fallon said the team purchased commercial address lists, randomized them and split them between call and text modes; he said the sample was stratified by age, race, gender and neighborhood and then post‑stratification weights were applied to align results with population estimates. Fallon compared the local project's sample conventions with larger statewide projects that use several hundred interviews, noting local surveys can use smaller samples.

Fallon offered to send the full report to Superintendent Weber and Treasurer Johnson and said the findings indicate both high public trust in the district’s education performance and a public readiness to discuss ways to address aging facilities. No formal board action was reported at the meeting.

The presentation concluded with board questions and applause.