How to get a School Bond Passed

Ensuring excellence in your schools isn't just about providing quality education; it also involves maintaining safe, robust, and efficient facilities. And financing these renovations or upgrades often necessitates the passing of a school bond. This process involves borrowing funds that the district's taxpayers will eventually pay back through property taxes.

The idea is simple: superior schools lead to stronger communities. But persuading the community to support these upgrades financially isn't always as straightforward as it may seem.

Despite the wide consensus around the necessity of maintaining high standards in public schools, securing approval for school bonds has become increasingly challenging in recent times. Veteran school district leaders will readily admit that there isn't a foolproof recipe for ensuring bond approval. This article outlines a threefold approach to help garner support for your bond proposal and get those much-needed funds for facility enhancements.

Craft an Effective Message

An impactful school bond campaign begins with creating a compelling message—one that grabs voters’ attention and addresses any reservations they may have about financing school construction.

Understand the Voters

The first step is to understand why previous bond campaigns might have failed. If your district is re-running a bond, use this information to refine your messaging strategy. Conduct surveys and opinion assessments among district voters. Host focus group sessions with diverse community members for a holistic understanding of your voter demographic.

Tailor Your Message

What is the feedback from voters? Are they concerned about costs? Do they prefer a new school building over upgrading an existing one? Are they uncertain how HVAC improvements can benefit student health, productivity, and well-being? Once you gather this feedback, categorize them into themes of resistance. These themes can guide the creation of messages that underscore the shared benefits of a successful bond.

Select the Right Medium

After developing targeted messages that resonate with your community, it's time to disseminate your message. Modern, successful school bond marketing campaigns employ various channels to reach voters. However, it's crucial to understand the legal constraints around bond marketing.

Understanding Legal Guidelines

School districts cannot legally promote bond issues. Consequently, messages on your district's platforms should remain neutral and purely informational.

Who Can Advocate?

Despite restrictions, local citizens are free to fund and advocate for bond issues. They can use various marketing tactics to inform and encourage voters, including direct mail, social media, print, and digital advertising.

Identify the Right Messengers

Citizen participation is vital for a successful bond election. Engage parents and community leaders, collaborate with businesses, and reach out to Senior Centers and other non-profit organizations. Encourage them to spread the word within their circles. This can be achieved through various means, including letters to the editor, window and yard signs, door-to-door canvassing, and reminder calls to vote yes for your bond.

In conclusion, passing a school bond is no small feat. However, with the right message, medium, and messengers, you can secure the support needed to maintain and improve the quality of your school facilities.