Vermont School Boards Association 2010

1 Month Prior to Vote  Involve key opinion leaders on budget committee  Do not spend public funds promoting budget passage – only provide necessary information  Communicate facts in clear, concise manner 29/5/2015 Vermont School Boards Association

1 Month Prior to Vote  Review action/strategic plan for direction  Check original budget assumptions and determine new priorities  Decide what makes sense politically  Prepare contingency plan for multiple budget defeats 9/5/2015 Vermont School Boards Association3

1 Month Prior To Vote ◦ Prepare budget ◦ Prepare voting process ◦ Organize PR Committee ◦ Warn new vote 49/5/2015 Vermont School Boards Association

1 Month Prior To Vote ◦ Prepare informational materials ◦ Obtain voter registration lists ◦ Recruit “Get Out The Vote” volunteers ◦ Elicit teacher/administrator recommendations 59/5/2015 Vermont School Boards Association

3 Weeks Prior to Vote ◦ Begin community presentations ◦ Meet with media ◦ Assign volunteers in “Get Out Vote” drive ◦ Prepare yard signs & flyers (no public funds) 69/5/2015 Vermont School Boards Association

3 Weeks Prior To Vote ◦ Include “Vote on School Budget” in business advertisements ◦ Write & tape radio Public Access TV spots ◦ Design & schedule newspaper announcements ◦ Post info on Town & School web sites 79/5/2015 Vermont School Boards Association

3 Weeks Prior To Vote ◦ Organize key opinion leader breakfasts ◦ School leaders & volunteers meet:  Church leaders  Parent groups/PTA  Chamber of Commerce & Rotary 89/5/2015 Vermont School Boards Association

3 Weeks Prior To Vote School leaders & volunteers meet:  Select Board & other town officers  Senior center(s)  Teachers and staff  Voter registration for18 year olds 9/5/2015 Vermont School Boards Association9

2 Weeks Prior To Vote ◦ Compile telephone surveys ◦ Direct mailings to clergy (no public funds) ◦ Information posters in stores ◦ Supermarket TV monitors 109/5/2015 Vermont School Boards Association

 2 Weeks Prior to Vote ◦ Target distribution of sample ballots ◦ Post “Vote on School Budget” signs ◦ Telephone voters ◦ Prepare Main Street banner (no public funds – incorporate business ad) 119/5/2015 Vermont School Boards Association

1 Week Prior To Vote ◦ Newspaper announcements (no public funds) ◦ Mail newsletter (just facts) ◦ Radio & Cable TV interviews ◦ Restaurant placemats NECAP questions 129/5/2015 Vermont School Boards Association

1 Week Prior To Vote ◦ Hang street banner (with business ad) ◦ School reader board ◦ Post yard & other signs ◦ Portable town reader boards 9/5/ Vermont School Boards Association

Night Before Vote ◦ “Reminder to Vote” phone calls ◦ School staff “Reminder to Vote” notice ◦ Review “Transportation To Polls” logistics ◦ Radio and TV “Reminder to Vote” ads 149/5/2015 Vermont School Boards Association

Getting the Right Message to the Media 159/5/2015 Vermont School Boards Association

 Develop relationships with reporters  Know “Rules of Engagement” ◦ “On & off the record” ◦ Background info  Frame the message - keep it simple & precise 169/5/2015 Vermont School Boards Association

 Understand reporters’ limitations ◦ tight deadlines  Know your audience ◦ catch interest with your message 179/5/2015 Vermont School Boards Association

 Provide backup print materials ◦ Help reporter understand issue  Always be truthful 189/5/2015 Vermont School Boards Association