Last fall ECISD did a “push poll survey” to 1000 select individuals (OA November 2021) to see if a school bond should be brought to the voters and if so for how much. For those who do not know what a push poll survey is, it is one that asks questions that are manipulating to leading in the direction they want people to answer.
Now, of those “select” individuals one was my fiancé who received the survey at the home we share though I am listed as the owner of the property on ECAD. Why did I not get one?
Not only did they ask leading questions, but they choose at least one ECISD volunteer that they possibly thought would vote yes to the bond. After basically putting all the odds in their favor, the majority still said NO.
When asked why they would be opposed two consistent reasons took a clear lead: Tax increases and the feeling of mismanagement of the school district. In fact, those selected were asked how they felt the district manages money and those surveyed said wasteful and ineffective.
Another survey brought up by Odessan’s for Education says that an online five question survey done by “Opportunity Odessa” which is proclaimed as a “non-profit, community-driven initiative” the number one priority is ECISD. Though after looking at the comments on the Opportunity Odessa Facebook page, folks have no desire to have their taxes raised and few comments regarding the school district.
It also appears that this Opportunity Odessa came into existence in October of last year about the time the school bond came up. It also appears the people who make up Opportunity Odessa are many of the same individuals that are a part of Odessan’s for Education, coincidence?
On Your Basin.com it says the survey goes through October of 2022 and when you click on the link to take the survey it says it’s over and the results will be available soon. Did you know anything about it or see it? How can they be touting the results when according to their website the five question results aren’t available yet? Will they appear after May 7th?
With a population of over 114,000, why does it seem like a handful of people in organizations like the above are telling the rest what we think and what we should do?
Being a former ECISD teacher and my fiancé a volunteer in the school system we believe in the importance of education to our community and support it in the proper way.
The school system needs help but giving money to those who are currently wasting it while raising taxes is not the way to do it, and not supported by the taxpayers. Stop trying to gaslight the public into voting for this.
Ted Tuminowski
Odessa
