DOs…
Throughout the Year…
- Ensure consistent, year-round communication with community, celebrating district successes and achievements.
- Engage, network, and LISTEN to the community.
- Establish the need for the building project and communicate it to the community. The earlier, the better.
Prior to a Referendum…
- Complete a facilities needs assessment.
- Conduct a community survey
- Stress sustainable and energy-efficient solutions.
- Be willing to compromise and prioritize most urgent needs.
- Earn support from administration, teachers, staff and students.
- Ensure that the referendum question(s) are clearly stated and understandable.
During the Referendum Campaign…
- Involve stakeholders from all segments of the community to assist in networking and buy in: parents, community leaders, business leaders, service clubs, senior citizens and other citizen groups.
- Use multiple tools to educate the community: brochures, district and school newsletters, flyers, posters, reminder postcards, district website, public meetings/forums, school events and speaking engagements.
DON’Ts…
- Refrain from any misleading or inappropriate information.
- Do not use school district funds in “vote yes” initiatives.
- Do not confuse votes with an excessive number of, or poorly-stated, questions.
- Do not make “threats” of what will happen if the referendum fails.
- Avoid a long, drawn-out campaign timeline that could irritate voters.
- Do not conduct a referendum if the community is strongly opposed to one.
- Do not conduct a referendum if the district has a poor financial rating or has extensive long-term debt.
Need help planning a referendum? Give us a call at 920.969.7030 or check out the pre-referendum services we offer.