The need for proper communication strategies during a bond or levy campaign has been a critical part of the tax referendum process. The intent of this study was to identify the best communication strategies used by superintendents during the three stages of a tax referendum. Planning a tax referendum, campaigning for a tax referendum, and then…

This case, inspired by a real school district scenario, was developed for use in a graduate-level course in school finance. James Spencer had just been selected as the new superintendent of a low-income, 400-student, rural school district in need of many capital improvements. The previous superintendent had refused to hold a bond election because…

Drawing from state administrative data and surveys of superintendents in Ohio, this mixed methods study examined factors associated with voters' approval of local school levies. Utilizing binomial logistic regression, this study found that new levies and poverty rates were significantly associated with a decrease in the likelihood of passage.…

Many school districts are in need of a successful plan of action for school district referendums. The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine the perceived effectiveness between factors and strategies surrounding referendums and the passage of those measures meant to improve school funding and facilities. The findings from Johnson and…

In 2009, a replication of the Pool study was conducted. This study, however, focused on the school systems classified as Class III districts. Nebraska has 252 Class III districts. Compared with Class II (21), Class IV (1), and Class V(1) districts, the Class III districts offer a wide array of school settings, from urban to extremely rural, and…

This brief provides a summary and analysis of a survey taken in the fall of 2005. The survey was conducted with a distribution of questionnaires to all of the district superintendents in the state of Arizona. Responses were received from 116 individuals out of a population of 227. These superintendents represented all three types of school…

Observations concerning citizen attitudes toward public education which caused the defeat of two school tax levies in Canton, Ohio. (MF)

With scant resources but boundless commitment, Charles Johnson, superintendent in a rural Mississippi district, takes pride in stretching school funds. The district has never run a deficit or borrowed to make ends meet. (MLF)

The education service districts (ESDs) in Oregon have been a strong force for staff development since 1849, a decade before statehood. This report outlines the organization of Oregon school systems over the past century, highlighting the creation of county superintendents, rural school districts, special education programs, and tax standards…

Although Superintendent Frank Petruzielo arrived with briefcase full of plans to change Houston (Texas) school district, he spent his first year reworking his ideas in consultation with district teachers and administrators. He ignored school budget brokering that had occurred between previous school boards and business establishment, won 32%…

A sample of teachers, principals, supervisors, superintendents, school board members, and county commissioners across Tennessee responded to questionnaires concerning funding patterns and revenue sources for public education. Except for the commissioners, who are the funding agents for school systems in Tennessee and are responsible for setting…

Passage of a 1990 tax limitation measure made Oregon one of few states since 1978 to mandate reductions in local property taxes. A survey of Oregon school superintendents revealed their fears about reduced local discretion and use of revenue management/forecasting tools and rational, goal-oriented cutback approaches. (Contains 36 footnotes.) (MLH)

This report presents the issues and findings of this conference of superintendents from the 43 largest city school systems in the nation. The conference dealt with (1) communication and cooperation between public and nonpublic school educators and their respective school systems and (2) financing the public and nonpublic components of the…

Attitudes of the superintendents and school board officials of 25 major cities concerning the operation of their schools were determined. In lengthy discussions, these officials observed that big city schools need massive financial assistance from State and Federal governments, since the local property tax as a base is inadequate, and because the…

THE BIGGEST CHANGE WHICH RESULTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATION OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE, INTO ONE GOVERNMENTAL UNIT WAS THE CREATION OF A UNIFIED SCHOOL SYSTEM. NOW, ALL BUT ONE MEMBER OF THE NEW METRO BOARD OF EDUCATION ARE NEW APPOINTEES, AS IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. UNDER THIS NEW LEADERSHIP BROAD CHANGES IN THE…