This paper is a primer for school boards and management. It provides a basic overview of the key issues, considerations and options associated with the use of debt by private schools to address facility financing needs. In addition, for a school which has decided to pursue debt financing, it provides basic guidelines for the choice of debt…

An annual school bond survey for New Jersey reveals that while the state's voters had approved 60 percent of the school bond issues in 1998, the communities clearly could not meet the state's multi- billion dollar construction needs on their own. Further, communities with high property taxes had fewer bond elections and approved less of them than…

A 1999 annual school construction survey for New Jersey reveals that the state's voters approved 71.3 percent of the school construction elections, more than the previous year's approval rate of 60 percent. Construction costs also influenced regional approval rates which varied from 59.5 percent in the north to 89.3 percent in the south. Despite…

Outlines crucial administrator responsibilities during the planning and construction phases of a new or remodeled school building. Includes designing the program, contracting the architect, and establishing and selling a bond issue. (MLF)

Many school buildings are in dire need of renovation, expansion, or replacement. Brief case studies from around the country illustrate the importance of finding out why people vote for or against a construction referendum. Lists recommendations for a strategic campaign. (MLF)

Suggestions and guidelines to help school administrators, business officials, board members, and others interested in improving school facilities are presented in this book. Chapter 1, "School Building Programs, Equipment Acquisition: The Anatomy of School Debt Financing" (Edgar H. Bittle), provides an overview of the legal and planning issues…

This report examines the history of California school construction financing and its past pitfalls, highlights the problems with pre-existing programs, and explores the history of bond initiatives during the past 5 decades. It begins by examining the State Allocation Board and its staff (the Office of Public School Construction) and reviewing the…

Using the strategy of "divide and conquer" can lead to victory at the polls. The ballot can include two freestanding questions, either or both of which can pass or fail independently, or it can be designed in such a way that approval of question two is contingent on question one passing. (MLF)

The Missouri Health and Educational Facilities Authority has been legislatively directed to assist the state's school districts in the issuance of general obligation bonds and to develop guidelines for two voluntary methods relating to the issuance of these bonds. The program offered provides credit enhancement and helps achieve the lowest…

Additional advice is provided, in conjunction with the foregoing article, on coping with legal constraints to school publications urging voter support for an upcoming bond issue. (TE)

A school board member describes how the use of four elements helped the board win public support for a referendum that was strongly opposed by an organized, respected committee: (1) Use of the media; rather than inviting press coverage of arguments by holding large public meetings, the board held numerous small, informative meetings. In this…

Budget shortfalls and fund deficits in many school districts are expected to continue in the 1990s. School boards and administrators must develop plans to manage and maintain the financial health of the school system. One important aspect of this planning is management of debt. (58 references) (MLF)

Based on his own experience, a school executive counsels against using a hard sell in promoting a bond issue, since Washington State public disclosure law requires that school levy material printed and distributed by the school system be strictly limited to factual information. (TE)

Notes trends toward increased borrowing by colleges and universities and offers guidelines for institutions that are considering issuing bonds to raise money for capital projects. Discussion covers advantages of using bond financing, how use of bonds impacts on traditional fund raising, other cautions and concerns, and some troubling aspects of…

Schools facing deteriorating conditions, high costs, and outdated building designs are tapping into the special capabilities of information technology to address the learning needs of their students. This book guides school leaders through school facility planning and technology systems planning, describing the importance of long-range planning…