Degree Name

Education Specialist (EdS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1982

Thesis Director

Harry Merigis

Abstract

The purpose of this study is threefold: first, to examine and participate in the 1981 campaign for passage of a building referendum in Tolono Unit Seven Schools and to record the various roles of personnel and groups in the campaign; second, to analyze why the referendum failed by using the 1980 bond issue campaign and research of other successful school districts' building referendums for comparisons; and third, to examine alternatives for a possible third referendum by doing a cost analysis for renovation of each elementary school building versus construction of a new building.

The school board failed to pass a building bond issue in November, 1980, which would have housed all the elementary students close to the high school. The Board decided to modify the building plan and run another referendum in the November election of 1981.

The 1981 campaign emphasis was to be very low-key. The activity of various groups conformed to this low-key concept, in fact, almost to the extreme. Apathy seemed to set in. No group pushed or campaigned hard, the media printed very little, the Board stayed out of the campaign, and it became evident that the public was not turning out for the voting. The result was 177 fewer voters than in the 1980 election with 129 fewer affirmative votes.

The election in 1981 failed by a larger margin than the previous election. Comparisons were made to determine which campaign strategies worked and which did not. The roles and strategies of the various campaigning groups were analyzed. After examination, alternatives in the campaign procedures were suggested, and this author planned a third referendum strategy.

As a result of research by this author of the most recent successful building proposals passed by school districts in this area, successful bond issues found in the ERIC search, and what seemed to work in the 1980 and 1981 campaigns in Unit Seven, strategies for a third referendum were developed. These strategies involved mostly hard work, pre-planning meetings involving influential citizens, public discussions, bombardment of media information, and phone calls to get the "yes" voters out on election day.

The third referendum will seek new structures as planned in the 1981 campaign. This author had considered giving the public a two-ballot item referenda asking for a vote to renovate or to build new structures. This idea was abandoned by this author as it was determined that this idea would split the "yes" votes and neither referendum would pass. The new campaign will push for one last referendum for the new structures. An extensive cost analysis has been developed to show the public that the new structures are best economically and educationally. It will take much convincing in this campaign to change attitudes.

Research has shown that every district is unique in its own building program problems. It appears that both the construction of new buildings and the renovation of existing buildings are less frequent due to declining enrollment and difficult economic times. The only way to pass a building issue is to show the public the true need for construction. The key is to get the "yes" vote out.

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