There are two components to a School District Informational Campaign:

1. Broad distribution of timely, accurate, understandable financial information; and
   
   
2. Effective, legitimate community engagement—opportunities for community members to ask questions and raise concerns with the local school board and administration with time built into the process to make adjustments based on community input.

School Districts:

• Provide the information
• Provide polling information
• Defend the levy
• Defend past decisions

Strategies:

• Public Forums
• Brochures
• Mailings
• Newspaper columns
• Radio
• Presentations to services organizations and other community groups
• Open letter to the community from the school board (paid for by the board)

Samples

ISD 831 Forest Lake Area Schools (2006)

• Levy Publications

ISD 621 Mounds View Public Schools (2006)

• A 10-minute guide to understanding property taxes and schools (2006)
• 2006 Fact Sheet

ISD 196 Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan (2004)

• 2004 Finance Brochure
• Backpack Online Email List Services
• Focus on Education Newspaper Columns

Additional Resources

August 2005 - School Boards & Referenda - A guide from the Minnesota School Boards Association.