A demographic fact is that the population is made up of an increasingly larger percentage of old people. Senior citizens will vote in the same pattern as the rest of the population if they are informed. Presents ways schools can communicate better and gain the suppport of senior citizens. (MD)

An initiative petition passed in 1982 for a 1-cent sales tax accounted for between 13 and 15 percent of the total public school budget in Missouri as of the 1991-92 school year. Outlines the steps necessary to gather the necessary signatures from registered voters and to get the measure approved. (MLF)

A Michigan school district asked local trade specialists to identify school building problems and estimate repair costs. A citizens' committee reviewed the recommendations and the community approved a bond issue to finance the school improvements. (MLF)

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…

A Colorado school district attracted over 2,000 volunteers to work on a winning campaign for a mill increase to make up for a $7 million shortfall in state funds. Offers 10 key lessons along with pointers for putting them to work in other school districts. (MLF)

Delineates strategic steps for conducting successful tax election campaigns drawing from the experience of Henderson County Junior College, Texas. Focuses on ways of determining the nature, direction, and strategies of the campaign; campaign leadership and volunteer recruitment; personal contacts; and publicity techniques. (DMM)

A successful bond campaign must be highly organized with tasks specifically delegated. A guide for school board members and administrators describes the steps to be taken. (Author/MLF)

After experiencing two budget defeats by voters, a central New York State school district developed a three-year plan to get spending in line with revenues. Through the use of community outreach strategies, a budget committee, and town meetings, the district received a 63 percent budget approval vote. (MLF)

An annual school bond survey for New Jersey reveals that while the state's voters had approved 60 percent of the school bond issues in 1998, the communities clearly could not meet the state's multi- billion dollar construction needs on their own. Further, communities with high property taxes had fewer bond elections and approved less of them than…

A 1999 annual school construction survey for New Jersey reveals that the state's voters approved 71.3 percent of the school construction elections, more than the previous year's approval rate of 60 percent. Construction costs also influenced regional approval rates which varied from 59.5 percent in the north to 89.3 percent in the south. Despite…

A dramatic, carefully planned, and well-timed campaign will convince voters to vote "yes" on school bonds. Outlines a 10-step program that will ensure winning at the polls. (MLF)

Developed by a team of strategists to help local school districts in Michigan win school millage elections, this manual details the factors that go into a successful election campaign. The campaign is broken into five phases: building a coalition, surveying and gathering information, developing a campaign theme and campaign plan, identifying and…

After closing a high school in 1983, the Scottsdale, Arizona, Unified School District needed to regain community confidence and support. Assisted by the dean of the Arizona State University College of Education, the school board agreed on four goals: (1) an instructional program that ensures all students will master competencies required for…

This chapter reviews 1982 cases related to school property. Cases involving citizen efforts to overturn school board decisions to close schools dominate the property chapter, and courts continue to uphold school board authority to close schools, transfer students, and sell or lease the buildings. Ten cases involving detachment and attachment of…

Financial planning for education is a difficult task as schools struggle for a share of diminishing tax resources. The presentation of school budgets for voter approval must be done as effectively as possible. When presenting budgets, administrators should take into account that the public has a low tolerance for detail, budgets are boring, a well…