Thinking Ahead for Smart Bond Planning

With numerous school construction bond elections looming across the country, the groundwork for a successful program begins well before the ballots are cast. Initiating a bond election can be demanding on district administration, public relations personnel, community members, and even the voters themselves. Therefore, ensuring the program is well-conceived and positioned for success from the outset is crucial.

Dividing the preplanning process into six key areas will assist stakeholders in identifying genuine facility needs and feasible financial opportunities.

Start by envisioning the district’s future, establishing a robust vision, and defining clear objectives and strategies across all facets of the system. A strategic plan enables districts to chart their course and rally stakeholders around a shared vision. Identifying true needs involves assessing whether the district requires facility upgrades due to growth, deferred maintenance, shifting demographics, increased demand for specific academic programs, or a combination thereof. The strategic plan needs to go beyond just facilities – it needs to engage teachers, staff, and the administration to develop a unified vision and culture for the district. The strategic plan should unify the district so they can plan with a common vision and culture. For example, the teachers and staff may collectively agree to use a progressive learning approach to teach their students through collaborative learning, which would ultimately affect how their facilities are used. The goal is to get everyone on the same page with a unified vision from the onset with regards to how they want their students to be taught and the culture or environment in which students and faculty should work.

Gain a comprehensive understanding of bonding capacity and the implications of bond issuance. Given the current trend of rising interest rates, districts can leverage various strategies to optimize bond proceeds. Familiarity with arbitrage and the ramifications of different bond sales, coupled with strategic financial planning, is essential for maximizing project scope using bond funds.

While most districts require new, renovated, or upgraded facilities, it’s prudent to align long-term maintenance plans with the district’s overarching vision to avoid redundant upkeep or temporary fixes. Instead of allocating funds to replace aging infrastructure based solely on a spreadsheet, consider whether repurposing or replacing buildings aligns better with the district’s future academic goals.

Recognize the demographics of the electorate, particularly in today’s politically charged climate, as it is a critical factor in targeting the right voters and ensuring the right voter turnout. Developing a specific voter matrix and predicting potential outcomes before calling a bond election enhances the likelihood of success.

Following the decision to proceed with a bond, districts typically transition into an informative phase and establish a Community Engagement Committee for advocacy. However, before forming the committee or crafting formal messaging, assess the current sentiment and perception of the district, staff, and students. Consider any recent staff or faculty changes that could influence voter behavior and anticipate how district officials will address unforeseen political challenges during the campaign.

Upon successfully passing the bond, the focus shifts to transparent communication, accountability, and disseminating accurate information. Establish protocols for sharing updates and making adjustments as needed to maintain transparency and trust.

In the months ahead, we will delve deeper into each of these key areas to assist stakeholders in planning, campaigning, executing, and following through on a successful bond election.