Demonstrates how urban-socio-political geographers may use findings from research in political science, sociology, and education to analyze a city's voting patterns on school levies. (JM)

A description of one school district's financial problems resulting from a narrow tax base. (NI)

Aurora (Colorado) public schools followed 10 suggestions to win a recent bond election, including starting a year before the election, analyzing community relations, establishing a citizens' committee and an election task force, developing resource materials (including fact sheets), setting a timetable, seeking out "yes" votes, and…

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…

Describes how opinion by North Dakota's attorney general allows school district and city of Jamestown to collaborate in the issuance of bonds for school construction and renovation projects, three-quarters of the revenue for which is raised by a voter-approved city sales tax. (PKP)

Mail-in elections are prompting school officials to communicate their message to a wide variety of audiences. Many of the states using vote-by-mail have also made it much easier for citizens to cast absentee ballots. Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of voting by mail. (MLF)

The Virginia Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the issuance of tax exempt bonds to a religiously affiliated university violated both state and federal constitutions. Reviews the court decision, analyzes the constitutional issues, and contends that court actions intruded beyond the permissible boundaries of constitutional neutrality. (38…

The school business official will be involved in many referenda over the course of a career. School budgets, capital projects, equipment acquisitions, school bus purchases, and emergency construction projects are among the most common situations requiring a referendum. A time frame is needed, and most states have guidelines spelling out procedures…

The superintendent of Coventry (Rhode Island) Schools explains how he converted annual town meetings from uncivil, interminable budget-slashing sessions to expressions of community support for student-centered reforms and a construction/renovation bond issue. The board grasped assessment difficulties by taking state-mandated tests for…

A school renovation referendum's success hinged on a superintendent's visit to Joseph Graves, outspoken leader of an anti-tax group. Graves's book advises educators to marshall the facts and then talk with voters on committees, not at them. After exhaustive discussion, groups will make their own recommendations. (MLH)

Education, community, and business organizations are now organizing public forums to address school repair and modernization. This report discusses the need for school modernization assistance, the impact of inadequate school facilities on student learning, school construction planning to receive construction bond allocations, and examples of ways…

A DeKalb, Illinois, school district involved students and community members in passing a bond tax rate and in school planning. An old hospital converted into an administrative center produces rental income. (MLF)

TEN HIGH SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, HAVE SHOWN HOW TO PERSUADE TAXPAYERS FROM DIVERSE DISTRICTS TO VOTE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A JUNIOR COLLEGE. IN 1964, AFTER STUDYING THE STATE MASTER PLAN, THEY AND THE BOARD MEMBERS OF EACH DISTRICT HIRED A FIRM TO MAKE A FEASIBILITY STUDY. THE BOARDS SELECTED 19 CITIZENS FOR THE…

THIS WAS A STUDY OF SAN MATEO VOTERS AND THEIR PRE-ELECTION REACTIONS TO A COMBINED TAX AND BOND PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE FUNDS. IT PROPOSED (1) TO DETERMINE HOW MANY WOULD VOTE FOR OR AGAINST THE PROPOSALS, (2) TO IDENTIFY ISSUES IMPORTANT TO VOTERS IN MAKING THEIR DECISIONS, (3) TO CHARACTERIZE THOSE VOTING YES OR NO TO SEE…