To launch a successful levy or bond issue, school leaders must check with school attorneys or professional associations regarding limitations on marketing activities, allow sufficient campaign time, actively cultivate the press, and involve officers of all district parent organizations. Administrators should arrange for teachers, board members,…

Describes Park City (Utah) School District's strategy for convincing its tax-resistant citizens to pass two expensive bond issues for educational facilities and technology. The key to success was a strong, broadly based, five-week campaign that focused on positively inclined voters, provided detailed information, separated ballot issues, stressed…

Describes how one Los Angeles County school district successfully passed a school bond referenda. Includes a list of six strategies. (PKP)

This article examines support for school bonds among minority group members in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, which includes the city of Charlotte. A survey was conducted shortly after a bitter court case and shortly before a proposed bond referendum. Support for bonds in the minority community was fairly moderate. Support was not related to…

Describes how school districts may significantly reduce the interest paid on school building bonds in states where the law permits advance refunding of school bond issues in response to declining interest rates. Presents two examples of how Indiana school districts used advance refunding to reduce the cost of debt service. (JG)

Chapter 6

This report provides data on 1976 bond elections and bond sales for financing public elementary and secondary school facilities and equipment. The annual report is intended for educators, school boards, legislators, and educational researchers who require up-to-date knowledge of school bond sales for planning future school bond programs. Data,…

Factors that produced defeat of bond issues and the actions taken by administrators of four California junior college districts to offset those factors are presented in this paper. Relevant findings from previous studies on school bond elections are summarized; the legal and fiscal context in which new California junior college districts operate…

This publication examines the influence of credit ratings on public debt financing and helps to resolve some of the developing controversy concerning this subject. It investigates the rating activities of the two private investment advisory firms--Moody's and Standard & Poor's--and the use of ratings by governmental borrowers, investors,…

In this instance, the Joint Committee on Higher Education in Washington State was directed to review capital funding methods at the 4-year institutions of higher education in the state. The major finding of the study, which emerged after an intensive survey of bond practices, was that some means should be found to enhance management effectiveness…

Describes how a Kansas school district obtained voter approval of a $21.5 million bond issue nine months after a successful $13.5 million tax increase. Provides tips on organizing a referendum campaign and managing the money once approved. The keys are seeking high interest-bearing accounts, knowing past spending patterns, and campaigning for a…

Suggests a strategy for effecting the passage of a school bond issue. Proposes procedures for forming and structuring a committee to evaluate the bond issue and for securing "yes" votes. (MCG)

The example of the Austin, Texas, Independent School District illustrates successful bond issue campaigning. Describes the district's 1983 effort from initial needs assessment, through placing the bond issues on the ballot and forming a campaign organization, to conducting specific campaign activities. (MCG)

A word tour of the new comprehensive high school in Alliance, Ohio. (CB)

The first part of this article deals with how to build an effective public relations program, which is essential in securing voter funding support. The second part outlines a step-by-step way to win funding issues. (Author)