Experience Confirms 18 Steps to School Bond Success

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – School districts faced with aging facilities can be squeezed between the needs of students and the reluctance of voters to approve new taxes, but a book written by a University of Arkansas education researcher offers a practical guide to superintendents considering a bond initiative that, when followed, leads to success.

The book, School Bond Success: A Strategy for Building America’s Schools, was written by Carleton R. Holt, associate professor of education administration. He collaborated with a team of researchers to conduct case studies of school systems that have used the book. Their aim was to understand the usefulness of the guide’s 18 recommended activities by comparing the recommendations to the procedures actually used by school districts that held successful school bond elections.

The case study of a Missouri school district, conducted by Holt, graduate student Lance D. Massey, Matthew Capps of Midwestern State University and Paul M. Hewitt of the University of Arkansas, was presented at the 2008 conference of the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration.

Data from an earlier study of 140 school districts showed that successful school bond elections took into account all 18 activities recommended in the guidebook, although participants cited different activities as being key to their success. Two activities were especially significant to 57 percent of the participants: organizing a diverse community task force to study school facilities and focusing the campaign on the benefits to students and the community.

Both the activities of the campaign task force and the focus on student benefits proved to be key to the success of a Missouri school district’s bond drive. The small, rural district had an entirely new administrative team and an antiquated, crumbling infrastructure. More than 60 percent of the 450 students received free or reduced lunch, mirroring the level of poverty in the district. The district also had an opportunity to take advantage of state funding, if they were able to pass a school levy increase.

The school district leaders followed many of the guide’s recommendations. For example, they insured the school board was fully committed to the campaign, they clearly delineated resources and building plans, and they engaged the services of a bond consultant. The case study, though, particularly focuses on the success of the district’s citizen support group.

From a series of community meetings, a group of patrons formed to educate the community and engage voters in the three months leading up to election day. Called Y.E.S.S. or Yes Enhances Student Success, the committee raised funds, organized community meetings, distributed a pamphlet and yard signs, conducted a phone campaign and provided transportation to the polls – all over a three-county area.

As recommended in the guide, Y.E.S.S. determined how many votes would be necessary to pass the initiative, and identified yes, no and maybe voters. The committee’s accounting proved to be on the mark, and its voter motivation was effective: The bond measure passed with 360 yes votes, just 10 more than the committee’s goal. It was the first successful bond measure for the district in 13 years.

Holt is an associate professor in education administration in the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas. His background in education leadership includes 28 years in administration for school districts in Iowa and South Dakota.