School Bond Elections In Iowa: An Analysis of Factors, Strategies, and Policies that Influence Outcomes
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Authors
Brummer, Kevin C.
Issue Date
1999-05
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
School bonds--Iowa
Alternative Title
Abstract
The Problem: The problem of this study was to identify and analyze: (a)
selected social, political, and economic factors, (b) successful strategies used in
school bond elections, and (c) influential policies related to school bond
elections.
Procedures: Questions were developed, and interviews were conducted
with a school board member, the superintendent, and the citizens' committee
chairperson in four school districts chosen on the basis of the cost of the bond
issue per student and the percentage the bond issue represented of the
assessed valuation of the district, along with consultants from the lowa
Department of Education and the lowa Association of School Boards.
Findings: Aging buildings and the inability to present the educational
program were the major reasons for bond issues. Listening to the voters, the
campaign committee, the level of community involvement, and a unified school
board were crucial to passing the bond issue. The most successful strategy
was communicating with the public in as many ways as possible. Laws
impacting bond issues were property tax funding for bond issues, the campaign
ethics laws, and two ballot questions for exceeding a tax rate of $2.70.
Conclusions: Ten conclusions were drawn, including: the importance of
listening, the need for vigorous leadership, and the necessity for well-coordinated
plans.
Recommendations: Legislators could consider changing the method of
funding bond issues and changing the laws requiring two ballot questions when
the proposed tax levy exceeded $2.70. Additional research could be done to
study strategies in school districts of other sizes, school districts that have failed
to pass bond issues, school districts in growth patterns, school districts that
passed a bond issue on the first attempt, and states with the simple majority
vote required for passage.
Description
iv, 227 leaves. Advisor: A.P. Johnston.
Citation
Publisher
Drake University