Several state courts have ruled that public money may be used to inform the voters about a school bond referendum and the project to be financed with bond proceeds, but may not be used to promote passage of the referendum. (MLF)

Results of a survey of 499 rural Illinois residents show that retirees are as supportive of local public education as are nonretirees. In addition, analysis of 788 local education bond referenda in Illinois indicates that a higher than average percentage of aged in a community does not adversely affect passage of a referendum. (KS)

Examines how school district/community organization alliances help fund new school construction as well as provide students and the general public with extended services. Examples of how school/community-use programs evolved and their accomplishments are provided. (GR)

In hypothetical scenarios involving two groups (nations or groups of workers), subjects voted on three proposals: one helped group A (their group), one helped B, and one helped both groups, more than the average of the first two but less than their maximum. When subjects voted for one proposal, most voted for the one that helped group A. This…

Like many other Central Florida districts, Volusia County School District is growing rapidly, increasing by 1,500 to 2,000 students (and 60 new classrooms) per year. The area has a solid senior citizen voting block and a state tax structure based on very low property taxes, a 5 percent sales tax, and no income tax. Since state monies for new…

Each school district in Texas must develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of a five-year plan for improvement for accreditation by the State of Texas. This report summarizes Austin Independent School District's (AISD) success in accomplishing five-year goals and objectives set in 1979-80 in eight areas: language arts; social studies…

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…

While the number of cases dealing with school property issues was significantly lower than in previous years, a significant number of cases involving the detachment and attachment of land to school districts arose. Eight of the eleven cases dealing with land detachment come from Illinois. The cases concerned requests from parents that their…

The source of profits earned by states as a result of tax-exempt bonds issued to raise funds for college student loans is analyzed, as are various proposals to reduce these profits. Background information about both student loan bond programs and student loans is presented, along with an explanation of how issuers of student loan bonds are able to…

The New York Educational Construction Fund, created in 1966 to carry out an imaginative new program of urban development by constructing public schools as part of multiple use structures, maximizes the use of land by developing school sites for residential and commercial construction, using air rights over the schools. It raises funds by selling…

This report provides data about the sale of bonds for financing the construction of public elementary and secondary school facilities during the fiscal year 1973. Data were compiled on the number of bond sales, the average net interest cost, the issuing agency, and the term of maturity. The report also provides summary information regarding bond…

School construction is a politically charged challenge. Examples from a number of districts illustrate controversy over bond issue elections, facility planning, bidding, site selection, and new attendance boundaries. The real key to success is getting the community involved. (MLF)

Details cooperative agreements to finance new schools drawn up by growing school districts in Colorado and the corporations whose activities are responsible for that growth. The developers of an oil shale project and a tract housing project lent school districts money under very favorable terms. (JM)

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)

A case study of school-university collaboration between Starkville School District (Mississippi) and Mississippi State University (MSU) explored the process of collaboration and the ingredients for successful implementation. MSU offered grant opportunities for university faculty to work with local school district personnel. Starkville School…