The purpose of this study was to analyze opinions of selected school district stakeholders regarding potentially critical factors in school bond referendum success and failure in Kansas during the years 2004-2007. Of the 72 eligible school districts, one district was randomly selected from each of six groups formed through a stratified random…

Ignoring public relations can have devastating consequences, as one Indiana (LaPorte) district learned after a failed bond measure. School board members should cultivate local news media, ensure that schools send out regular newsletters, use free media coverage, save press conferences for significant events, move board meetings to different…

This review surveys recent literature that reflects a wide variety of research techniques and methods. These writings, previously announced in RIE, should provide administrators with some insights into variables that affect the outcome of school financial elections. Divided into four major parts, the review includes literature that (1) deals with…

This speech traces the background of the passage of a bond issue in the Kansas City School District, Kansas, to aid other districts seeking to pass bond issues. The author sets out in chronological order the procedures that were taken to eliminate or neutralize opposition to the bond proposal. The author also notes that the board of education…

Discusses components of a successful facilities-improvement bond issue. Districts must have a clearly articulated mission statement; a unified board of education; an open visible superintendent; the ability to identify, quantify needs. Boards must be attuned to the electorate, develop an organized election campaign; communicate the message…

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…

Two major concerns related to large-scale capital outlay are convincing the community of the need for the expenditure and planning for the financing of the project. In an era when the public is resisting increased taxation, school districts must develop a plan of action for soliciting funds and must be able to conduct an effective fund campaign.…

Designed to serve as a handy and useful reference for everyone in the education community, this handbook offers an overview of what a school public relations program should do and a general guide to constructing a program that has a good chance to succeed. It is intended to make evident the great need for everyone connected with the school to…

The purpose of this handbook is to set forth, for the day-to-day use of school board members, some of the proven methods of attaining and holding public interest and support of the schools. Guidelines are offered, adaptable to local situations, on measuring public opinion, press relations, the public relations team, advisory committees, handling…

This bibliography features an extensive collection of articles and books on the subject of school-community relations. Topics covered include school-community relations (general); program, organization, and administration; school-community relations activities; school-community relations processes; specific publics; political aspects; research;…