Wisconsin school district superintendents faced with the need to fund capital improvement projects through a school finance bond referendum need support. Information regarding the factors related to a successful referendum in Wisconsin is limited. This mixed methods study examined the factors associated with successful bond referenda in Wisconsin…

The passage of a school bond can determine the direction of a district for many years to come (Faltys, 2006). Upkeep of older facilities and the building of new facilities can have an impact on instruction, teacher job satisfaction, student achievement, and perceptions toward the district (Moore, 2003). Despite the fact there is often state money…

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…

Ten years ago the new superintendent of District 11 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, learned the proposed budget was $12 million out of balance. Now the district has sound financial backing thanks to improving business practices. (MLF)

After three bond issues failed in De Soto, Kansas, the new superintendent, Marilyn Layman, moved immediately to build a districtwide consensus. A year later, voters passed a $14.7 million bond issue to construct a new high school and middle school with additional high and middle schools planned for the future. (MLF)

TO DETERMINE CAUSAL FACTORS IN THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF SCHOOL BOND ELECTIONS, A STUDY WAS MADE OF SCHOOL BOND ELECTION RESULTS FROM 1960 THROUGH 1964 IN THE 209 IOWA SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAINTAINING A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL, JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, OR COMMUNITY COLLEGE. SEVENTY-NINE PERCENT OF THE REPORTING DISTRICTS (154 OF 195 TOTAL) SUCCESSFULLY PASSED…

THE SUPERINTENDENTS OF 195 OF 209 SCHOOL DISTRICTS HOLDING BOND ISSUE ELECTIONS DURING A 5-YEAR PERIOD RESPONDED TO A QUESTIONNAIRE. OF THESE, 20 OF THE 24 WHOSE BOND ISSUES INVOLVED VOCATIONAL EDUCATION WERE INTERVIEWED IN A TWO-PHASE STUDY TO ANALYZE THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS, IDENTIFY THE VARIABLES ASSOCIATED WITH SUCCESS OR FAILURE, AND TO…

FROM 1960 THROUGH 1964, 24 OF IOWA'S 209 SCHOOL DISTRICTS HELD SCHOOL BOND ISSUE ELECTIONS IN WHICH PART OF THE ISSUE WAS ASSIGNED FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PURPOSES. INTERVIEWS WITH 20 OF THE 24 SUPERINTENDENTS YIELDED INFORMATION FOR A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF (1) THE PERCEIVED IMPORTANCE OF THE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PORTION OF THE TOTAL BOND…