South Washington County Schools... empowering all learners with the knowledge, skills and attitudes for success. Citizen’s Committee

South Washington County Schools . . . empowering all learners with the knowledge, skills and attitudes for

success.www.sowashco.k12.mn.us

Citizen’s Committee+

District Effort=

Success x 2!

Leslee Boyd, School Board Member / Campaign Co-chair

Barbara Brown, Director of Communications



Why We’re Here• Successful

September 2006 Bond Issue

• Successful November 2007 Levy Referendum Renewal



About South Washington County Schools

• East Metro Communities of Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park and Woodbury

• Motivators of change– 20% Diverse– Growth (?)– New Vision

• Grade configurations driven by facilities• Fall of 2009-10 will have grade configurations that make

sense for kids



Sharing our Successes• Successful September 2006 Bond Issue

– Q1 - $107 million for construction and facility improvements

• 58% approval

– Q2 - $42 million for mechanical system replacement at four largest facilities

• 61% approval

– Q3 - $10 million for technology ($1 mil per year)

• 59% approval



Sharing our Successes• Successful November 2007 Levy

Referendum Renewal– Renew expiring 2007-08 amount totaling $6.5

million and revoke and renew 2009-10 amount totaling $7.6

• 54% approval



Bond vs. Levy

1. Construction and excitement

2. Technology

3. General Fund Dollars• Renewal• New



District Strategies1. Community Engagement

2. Community Survey

3. Print Materials

4. Staff Involvement

5. Technology

6. Cable Broadcasts / Updates

7. Media Campaign

8. Liaison with Citizen’s Committee



2006 Bond Issue

• Early fall

• Small number of volunteers

• Community Events

• Focus on parents





2007 Levy Referendum Renewal

• More time to organize, thus larger volunteer base

• Continued focus on parents, with additional focus on business and other community partners





Citizen Committee Strategies

• Presence at community events

• Well-written, factual key messages and Q & A for multiple uses

• Postcards / stickers / pencils / bags

• Window flyer

• Yard Signs

• Interactive Web Site / Promotional DVD











Thank you!

Questions?

• Leslee Boyd, [email protected]– 651-436-3328

• Barb Brown, [email protected]– 651-458-6209

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

South Washington County Schools... empowering all learners with the knowledge, skills and attitudes for success. Citizen’s Committee