One addendum that I recall. When we were working on the referendum for the new high school - the folks who built the first one (in the 1960's) wanted it clear to ask for ALL the money NOW.

When they built the original High school it wasn't big enough and a year after it was built, they had to ask for ANOTHER tax referendum to borrow more money to add on.

If your community is still growing (ours is not - we're land locked by Lake Michigan) this committee also needs to figure out what the needs will be 5, 10, 15 years from now and will you have to ask AGAIN?

##

Margi, I saw your post, too.

Our district took three tries in 8 years before we passed a referendum to get our new $42 mil high school built. It passed by a very narrow 52% margin and has divided our city because of it. Over 1/2 of our city is retired and our state is one of the top five in the nation with highest property taxes.

For a pricetag of your size, a referendum may be needed and taxpayer money to pay.

I think what helped to pass our referendum, was the district created a committee from all aspects and age groups of the community.

Example: a pastor from a local church, another from the senior center, a retired teacher, business man, blue collar, parents of young children, middle school and high schoolers, alumni - even current seniors that were graduating.

This committee was formed 1 year before the voting date and they strategically planned what exactly our district needed, the best location to build, how much it would end up costing the taxpayers. (now actually is a good time to build since the interest rates are so low).

The committee also had public forums during the process (we called it the "referendum road show") and went to EVERY school function with maps, architectural drawings and fact sheets. They went to elementary school sock hops, spring flings, basketball games, PTO meetings and spoke to parents on every level of the school district on how this school was needed.

Then the hard work began... literally door to door (eyeball to eyeball) -- the footwork has to be done. Signs and flyers end up in the trash. You have to knock on doors - talk to people about why this new school should be built. Don't bother trying to sway the vote of the people against the project. They already have their mind made up.

Target the sleep-deprived parents in your community with little children. They are clueless. They are busy with diapers, trying to make ends meet and the day to day deliriousness that new parents deal with. THOSE are the people you need to get out and vote.

Good luck, but it will be a lot of hard work and a LOT of meetings and discussion. I lost an entire month before the voting date with meetings and discussions almost every night.

In the end, if it passes, the satisfaction is awesome. If it doesn't pass, keep trying.

##

Hi Margie,
Saw your post with no replies--I can't really give you much info since we haven't done any actual projects of any magnitude like a new building, but.....
Doesn't you school district have some sort of building committee? Most major things like that are covered by the county school board. Sure, the school itself will fundraise for some things, but not necessarily anything to do with the building. Our school needs a new roof, but we're at the mercy of the county's budget--we get patches, not a whole new roof. We need more classrooms, we get huts. We've been thinking of trying to raise money to add a gym, but even if we get the money, we'd have to coordinate with the county to actually DO anything. And we're talking over $750,000 here, that's a lot of fundraisers hahaha.
Good luck on your report.

I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED (NOT ANYTHING I VOLUNTEERED FOR THIS TIME) BY OUR SCHOOL BOARD LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE TO CONTACT 8 SCHOOLS WHO HAVE RECENTLY COMPLETED SUCCESSFUL BUILDING PROJECTS. THIS WOULD BE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING TO THE END OF THEIR PROJECT.I am asked to compile the info/data into a report form to present to school board. OUR SCHOOL IS LOCATED IN A SMALL COMMUNITY- BRISTOL VA (ST ANNE'S Catholic School)We are a private school so there would be no city/gov't or tax dollars involved.WE ARE OUTGROWING OUR SCHOOL, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE JUST RECENTLY ADDED MIDDLE SCHOOL.I LIVE NEARBY IN ABINGDON VA. THERE ARE NO OTHER LOCAL SCHOOLS FOR ME TO CONTACT. If you can take the time to reply,I WOULD NEED THE SCHOOL NAME, CONTACT PERSON'S NAMES AND TELEPHONE NO.- OR DO YOU HAVE INFO TO SHARE FROM A PERSONAL INVOLMENT IN SUCH A PROJECT? AGAIN I TRULY APPRECIATE ANY HELP WITH THIS!!! I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN AT THIS TIME! SO I THOUGHT, "WHY NOT HERE?" I NEED TO PRESENT THIS REPORT IN TWO WEEKS, MAY 20.
SINCERELY and grateful, MARGIE MUNSEY This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[ 05-14-2003: Message edited by: Margie Munsey ]</p>