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THE ROAD TO BOND VICTORY: How community connections, collaboration and communication helped one district win big! 2 WSSDA conference, 11/21/14 North Thurston Public Schools, Lacey, WA Marcia Coppin, Board President Courtney Schrieve, Community Relations Director Ruth Weigelt, Co-Chair, North Thurston Citizens for Schools

3 NORTH THURSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS GOALS

WHO ARE YOUR ROAD BUDDIES?  DISTRICT  SCHOOL BOARD  COMMUNITY 4

THE DISTRICT  What’s your final destination?  Who else should we invite on the journey?  Have we let others know about our plans?  Do we have a current road map? 5

THE ROAD MAP  Facility Advisory Committee  Community Outreach/Town Halls  School Board Work Session  The Tacoma Model  Consultant/Community Survey  Capital Facilities Plan  School Board Presentation (Citizens Group recommendation)  Ballot Resolution 6

FACTS & INFORMATION  District Facts and Information  Website  Brochure (mailer)  Fact Sheets (school specific) for website/backpacks  Posters (school specific)  Community Presentations  Community TV / Media  Reader Boards  Voter Registration  PDC Reminders 7

SCHOOL BOARD  Consumer Reports – what’s your reputation?  Know your “Blue Book” – how much do you need?  Invite people for a test drive – bus tours, school board meetings, etc.  Promises Made, Promises Kept – keep voters informed after election 8

ASK COMMUNITY FOR A TUNE-UP 9

WHAT’S ON YOUR WINDOW STICKER?  School Upgrades, New Construction & Modernizations  District-wide Improvements  Technology Upgrades  Safety, Health & Security 10

THE MECHANICS OF SUCCESSFUL BALLOT LANGUAGE Generic Language 2012 Revised Ballot Measure language

COMMUNITY  Create a solid Pit Crew  Filling Stations  Don’t forget VIPs in your Side Car  Friendly competition  Bring Snacks and Music 12

THINGS TO HAVE IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT  Regular meetings even in off election years  School Teams: Identify a parent, teacher and principal rep from each school  Consultant (optional)  Identify key leaders as Honorary Campaign Co-Chairs  Identify businesses, non-profits for endorsements  Breakfast Fundraiser (contractors, vendors, etc.) 13

DON’T FORGET TO ENGAGE YOUR STAFF & NEIGHBORS  Collaboration with neighbor districts  Media endorsements /editorial board  Signs (not too early)  Phone Banks/Matchbacks  Robo Calls  Direct Mailer  Sign Waving  Teacher Postcards (signed) 14

ONCE YOU REACH YOUR DESTINATION  Victory Party!  THANK YOUS!!!!  Ad in local papers  Letters  Awards/certificates  Ongoing public communication about progress 15

NEXT STEPS… Communication 2. Collaboration with Community 3. Well-oiled Citizen Campaign THE 3 KEYS TO SUCCESS FOR BOND VICTORY

WHICH ONE DO YOU WANT? 17

TABLE TOP: OPTION A  School District A has lost the last two bonds by 3%. They did a lot of doorbelling and one mailer from the district. There were no town meetings. The Superintendent lives an hour a way and is not involved in the local community. The bond would increase property taxes by $2.50 per $1,000. Brainstorm on what steps they could take to make bond #3 a road to victory! 18

TABLE TOP: OPTION B  School District B has a new Superintendent. They won a bond 8 years ago by 5,000 votes, but have had a huge growth spurt and acres of portables. Test scores are down and teachers threatened a strike last summer. They need a new middle school and 2 renovations in 30+ year old schools. Discuss what a good public information campaign would look like. 19

QUESTIONS!??? Thank you for joining our journey! Let us know how we can help! 20 DISTRICT: or COMMUNITY:

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