The theory of "voter crosspressure" focuses on the idea that voters have predispositions and try to avoid information (pressure) that would cause them to vote against their predisposition. If a voter is unsuccessful in avoiding that information, he or she will vote against his or her predisposition. (Author/IRT)

Outlines the steps one school district took to identify and get out the "yes" voters. (IRT)

Cautions against school districts blaming taxpayer revolt" when school tax support campaign methods have not been changed in a decade or more. (EA)

The vote-by-mail procedure is presently being tried in Oregon. Supporters claim it is good for democracy because it increases the number of persons involved in decision making. Opponents say it encourages participation by people who know little or nothing about issues on the ballot. (MLF)

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)

Two telephone surveys of registered voters in Toledo (Ohio)--one conducted a month before a school levy election, one a week before the election--enabled campaign workers to see if their strategies were effective and to make suggested changes. The levy passed with 52 percent of the vote. (Author/MLF)

The superintendent of the Durham County, North Carolina, schools explains the approach he took in gaining passage of a financial election. The method is that termed "voter crosspressure" in another article in this issue. (IRT)

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 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)

Points up the need to run school district accounting along the lines of a multimillion dollar business. Criticizes lack of encouragement for managers to economize on budgets, lack of employee incentive programs, and regulations which make it difficult to dismiss nonproductive employees. A questionnaire assists administrators to detect flaws in…

Recounts how the school district alienated the voters and how it won them back. (IRT)

A rural Wisconsin school district passed a $5.5 million referendum package on the first try. Credit is given to a 20-minute video edited by a volunteer school-board member. The amateurish, homemade effort did not seem to hurt the video's effectiveness. An address is given to obtain a copy of the video. (MLF)

To convince voters to approve a school tax increase, school board members need to do the following: (1) show a fiscally tight and well-organized school district; (2) show the public that you care; (3) show a sense of personal and board conviction; (4) explain how decisions have been reached; and (5) educate the public about school issues. (MLF)

Cites lack of effective programs in reading readiness and decline of teacher-parent relationship as two major reasons for the discontent that has caused communities to reject bond issues, and outlines some steps that could be taken by administrators and teachers to help regain the public's sagging confidence. (Author/EA)