Following the November 2025 election in which the proposed voted Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) was not approved, the Riverside Community School District partnered with the Donovan Group to conduct a post-election community survey.
The purpose of this survey was to better understand voter perceptions and inform future decision-making on facility planning, community priorities, and communication strategies as the Board of Education considers potential actions.
The report provides detailed quantitative results and qualitative feedback to inform the Board of Education and district leadership as they evaluate next steps. The findings highlight both the challenges and opportunities facing the district and underscore the importance of clarity, transparency, and community involvement in any future proposal to address Riverside CSD’s facility needs.
Key Demographics and Facility Views
The survey gathered input from a broad cross-section of district constituents, including parents and guardians of current students, community members, alumni, grandparents of current students, and alumni.
Survey respondents were predominantly long-term residents, with 42.2% having lived in the district for more than 30 years. The largest age cohort was adults ages 35-44 (33.0%).
A strong majority of respondents believe the district’s facility needs require immediate action, with 77.4% agreeing or strongly agreeing
Reasons the PPEL Did Not Pass
The most frequently cited reasons for the PPEL not passing were that the tax impact was too high (52.8%), the district had not shared enough about its budget (40.1%), and the district did not communicate its needs effectively (37.2%), with nearly one-quarter (24.3%) indicating they needed more information.
Open-ended comments highlight economic pressures, misinformation and disinformation, and calls for expense cuts, as well as for detailed budgets and cost comparisons.
Future Support and Priorities
Despite the voted PPEL not passing, there is openness to future investment. Approximately two-thirds (66.7%) of respondents indicate they would support future spending to address district improvements.
When asked to prioritize potential paths forward, the most frequently selected option was building an addition at the middle/high school for a single prekindergarten-12th grade site (61.2%), ahead of a larger renovation project at Oakland Elementary (11.3%), a larger renovation project at Carson
Elementary (7.1%), or continuing as is (20.4%). This reflects community interest in long-term operational efficiency and reduced facility maintenance demands.
Open-ended responses reinforce several consistent themes: the need for greater transparency in budgeting and use of existing funds, clearer comparisons between renovation and consolidation options, sensitivity to economic pressures, and the importance of rebuilding trust through early, proactive, and detailed community engagement. Respondents also emphasized the need for the
Board of Education to balance fiscal responsibility with the goal of ensuring safe, functional, and equitable learning environments for students.
Together, these findings provide a framework for refining future proposals and strengthening community trust as the district considers how best to address its long-term facility needs.