Neary School Project Feedback

Thank you for participating in this survey; your feedback is invaluable

In May 2025, Southborough voters considered a proposal for a new Neary School building, but it did not pass at the Special Town Meeting or Town Election.

The Town is now seeking feedback to better understand community perspectives and guide next steps. This short survey asks about your awareness of the project, voting experience, interest in future proposals, and how you'd like to receive updates moving forward.

Our goal is to hear from all viewpoints, so please provide your open and honest opinions. All responses are anonymous. You’ll only be asked questions that are relevant to your experience. Your input—no matter your position—will help improve planning and communication going forward.

Question Title

* 1. Prior to and during the May 2025 votes, how familiar were you with the details of the original Neary School Building proposal (the plan to build a new Grades 2–5 school at the Neary site)?

Not at all aware – I was not aware of the project or had heard very little about it.

Slightly aware – I knew basic information, but not much detail.

Moderately aware – I understood some aspects, but not all details.

Mostly Aware – I was well-informed about the project’s details and implications

Completely aware – I was completely-informed about the project’s details and implications

Question Title

* 2. Which sources did you use to learn about the Neary school project? (Select all that apply.)

Town of Southborough official website or Neary project webpage

In-person Public meetings (e.g. School Committee or Building Committee meetings)

Online Public meetings or their recordings (e.g. School Committee or Building Committee meetings)

Local news blog/website (e.g. MySouthborough.com)

Social media (e.g. community Facebook groups, Nextdoor, etc.)

Conversations with friends, neighbors, or word-of-mouth

Printed materials (mailers, flyers, or brochures from the Town)

Yard signs or banners

None – I did not seek out or receive any information about the project

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 3. How reliable do you consider each of the following sources for information about Town capital projects (such as the Neary proposal)?

	Not accurate at reliable	Slightly reliable	Somewhat reliable	Very reliable	Extremely reliable
In-person committee meetings	In-person committee meetings Not accurate at reliable	In-person committee meetings Slightly reliable	In-person committee meetings Somewhat reliable	In-person committee meetings Very reliable	In-person committee meetings Extremely reliable
Printed mailers	Printed mailers Not accurate at reliable	Printed mailers Slightly reliable	Printed mailers Somewhat reliable	Printed mailers Very reliable	Printed mailers Extremely reliable
Friends/word-of-mouth	Friends/word-of-mouth Not accurate at reliable	Friends/word-of-mouth Slightly reliable	Friends/word-of-mouth Somewhat reliable	Friends/word-of-mouth Very reliable	Friends/word-of-mouth Extremely reliable
Online committee meetings	Online committee meetings Not accurate at reliable	Online committee meetings Slightly reliable	Online committee meetings Somewhat reliable	Online committee meetings Very reliable	Online committee meetings Extremely reliable
MySouthborough blog	MySouthborough blog Not accurate at reliable	MySouthborough blog Slightly reliable	MySouthborough blog Somewhat reliable	MySouthborough blog Very reliable	MySouthborough blog Extremely reliable
Town website	Town website Not accurate at reliable	Town website Slightly reliable	Town website Somewhat reliable	Town website Very reliable	Town website Extremely reliable
Social media	Social media Not accurate at reliable	Social media Slightly reliable	Social media Somewhat reliable	Social media Very reliable	Social media Extremely reliable

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 4. How easy or difficult was it for you to understand the details and implications of the original Neary project based on the information available? (Select one.)

Very difficult to understand – The information was unclear or confusing.

Somewhat difficult – I had trouble understanding significant parts of the project.

Moderately easy to understand - I understood the main points, but some details were unclear.

Easy – I understood most details with only minor uncertainties.

Very easy to understand – The project and its impacts were very clearly explained.

Question Title

* 5. Were there any aspects of the Neary project that you felt were unclear or not adequately explained? Please list any questions you had or information you felt was missing that would have helped you better understand the proposal. (For example, you might mention unclear areas like tax impacts, educational benefits, alternative options, environmental studies, etc., if you felt more explanation was needed.)

Question Title

* 6. Thinking back to the time of the Special Town Meeting and Town Election in May 2025, which of the following best describes your personal stance on the original Neary School Building Project? (Select one closest option.)

Strongly Supported – I strongly favored the project and (if eligible) voted Yes for it.

Somewhat Supported – I leaned in favor of the project (voted yes or would have likely supported it).

Neutral or Undecided – I had no strong opinion or was torn/unsure about the project.

Somewhat Opposed – I had reservations and leaned against the project (voted no or would likely have opposed it).

Strongly Opposed – I was firmly against the project and (if eligible) voted No.

6% of survey complete.