ERIC Number: ED641434
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 171
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-7621-9811-0
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Campaign Strategies Influencing Passage of Ohio School Bond Initiatives: A Qualitative Multiple Case Study
Stephen L. Thompson
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Northcentral University
This study is intended to provide guidance to public school districts by identifying research based campaign strategies that have been proven to help with the successful passage of bond initiatives. In the United States, half of all public schools need at least one major facility repair and in Ohio, because tax initiatives in support of school construction fail at a rate of more than 50%, the identification of effective levy strategies used to pass bond referendums is a necessary step to addressing the problem of declining facilities. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study is to identify effective strategies used in the passage of a tax referendum for construction of new schools. The study implements theories focused on social constructivism and transformational leadership in order to identify the key components of bond campaigns in five Ohio school districts during the past seven years. During the study, superintendents, board members, key levy leaders and volunteers, and levy consultants were asked research questions that addressed how and why they believed their campaign strategies were effective. Similarities were then analyzed to understand components of a bond initiative campaign associated with passage. The findings of this qualitative case study suggest that voter's first-hand knowledge and belief that they would personally benefit from the referendum, effective communication and education of voters, the use of technology in the campaign, the work done by the campaign committee and the assistance given by the campaign consultants are all factors that directly impact the passage of bond referendums. The findings of this study may provide insight into future research working to identify additional effective strategies that can be implemented in levy campaigns. In this research, there are four areas that warrant continued investigation. These areas include the identification, specific targeting and turning out to vote positive supporters of the capital project. In addition, the types of meetings used to share information with the general public for the purpose of education within the community, the use of technology and messaging directed specifically to voters without children in the district. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Educational Finance, Bond Issues, Public Schools, School Districts, School Taxes, School Construction, Voting, Elections
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ohio
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A