This study examines the purpose of the school district structure and the manner in which it reflects the expectations of citizens for their school system. The document focusses on the community involvement and financial aspects of reorganization and examines (1) the basic pattern of school district reorganization in North America to find some…

This report describes the elements necessary for successful school elections and outlines steps to predict voter reaction. Written primarily for school officials and local citizens' committees, the report analyzes the variables influencing voter turnout and behavior such as occupation, educational level, income, age, parents of school children,…

This research is based on more than 1,600 school district property tax elections in California from the mid-1950s to 1972. Population, housing, social, demographic, and economic information by school district was available. This large, comprehensive, and consistent data base permitted investigation of the choices of the electorate with respect to…

The empirical results suggest that the tax-price paid by the median voter for public goods is a fundamental factor in the determination of how much a community will elect to spend on education per pupil. Available from North-Holland Publishing Company, P.O. Box 211, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; $10.00 single copy. (Author)

Panel members discussed voting trends, declining enrollment, success of bond issues, school closing, and a summary of NIE's research on declining enrollment. Workshop members participated in discussing the issues. (Author/MLF)

Methods and sample forms for postelection analysis and preelection surveys are supplied. Other guides include a campaign organization chart, a 12-week campaign calendar, an illustration of a proposed tax increase, and a list of 100 questions that must be answered before final plans for the issue are made. (Author/MLF)

After a tentative school budget is formulated it is then shared with the community via public hearings, with the ultimate objective of the public hearings to obtain voter approval on election day. (Author/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)

This research addressed the contemporary problem of declining support for school funding requests. The study examined current factors and factors over time (1969-77) that underlie school tax balloting. Data were collected from four previously studied districts and statistically analyzed. Voters' attitudes toward school community relations,…

The ways in which the following three factors influence a large-city school district's "fiscal performance" are investigated: (1) The educational and occupational status of school board members, (2) the effect of public vote on the budget, and (3) the effect of the size of the school district. A regression of certain budget approval variables,…

This manual outlines an improved school budget and accounting system developed by the U.S. Office of Education (USOE). Instead of the usual line items, the new system lists accounts by program. This change will help the citizen and the school administrator see how much programs cost and where the educational dollar is being spent. Chapters focus…

This booklet reports the results of a study of bond elections that were held in Iowa from 1960 to 1973. The study sought to determine those factors that tended to help bond elections succeed and those that tended to cause failure. The report discusses the value of specific tactics and identifies some helpful factors such as the best months of the…

This review surveys recent literature that reflects a wide variety of research techniques and methods. These writings, previously announced in RIE, should provide administrators with some insights into variables that affect the outcome of school financial elections. Divided into four major parts, the review includes literature that (1) deals with…

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)

Reducing potential issues and potential tax resistance where budget and bond elections are concerned should be done through monitoring the media, citizen complaints, and community opinion in order to reduce other controversial issues which will have an adverse effect on these elections. (Author/JN)