Bond Campaign
Frequently Asked Questions

Sadly, public schools are not funded by states in a way that districts can manage facility repair and growth needs and academic needs.  Just like our homes, band aid fixes only last so long and then it is time for a real solution.  

However, school repair costs are significantly more expensive, largely in part because of heavy usage and in some cases poor or non-existent maintenance plans. When schools reach this point, it becomes necessary to ask the community for bond funds to rebuild, build or repair facilities and transportation.  

There is also an opportunity to ask the community to commit to a long range vision plan; showcasing the multi year facility plan using bond funds to regularly execute the continued vision of the district.

The Center for Communication and Engagement specializes in creating custom bond campaigns to help districts pass their bond issues.  To date, the Center for Communication and Engagement has served over 70,000 students in 17 school districts and technology centers win over $821 million!

FAQs

How do you pass a bond issue? 

Educating and communicating the need for a bond issue to your patrons can be challenging for school leaders who understand the complexities of the bond world and the financial lingo used when discussing education budgets.  Trying to simplify those bond terms to help the general public understand how it works, takes an entirely different approach.  

The Center for Communication and Engagement works with district leaders and their boards of education to develop a customized strategic communication plan to help educate the public in as many ways as possible, but only through tactics designed to meet your communities unique needs.

When is the best time to bring the Center for Communication and Engagement into our process?

While we are happy to work with districts at any point in the process, the best time to engage our services is when you are meeting with your bond financial service planner or when you are preparing to survey your community about their opinions on your possible facility needs that would require an investment plan.  

Two years to 18 months prior is the most optimal time.  During that time, we can develop strategy as well as start laying the groundwork for your needs through targeted communication, including highlighting previous outcomes on bond commitments. Ultimately, the earlier you bring us into the process the better. Successful campaigns need approximately three to four months prior to election day for behind the scenes work, such as producing a video from shooting and scripting to editing, campaign theme and logo, as well as print material and content development. 

What is the difference between a Bond Issue and a Student Investment Plan?

Getting patrons behind a bond issue or a capital improvement plan can be as difficult as explaining bond financing. Changing the language to an investment in students, shifts the way people think.
At the Center for Communication and Engagement, we prefer to use the term Student Investment Plan. It’s a friendlier way to discuss our needs with terminology patrons can get on board with.

Do you also run Vote Yes Campaigns?

Many successful district campaigns also have successful Vote Yes Campaigns, which we coordinate. Our goal is to maintain consistency in messaging for both campaigns, while also understanding the campaign laws that restrict districts but not the Vote Yes campaign.

Winning Campaigns

  • Weatherford Public Schools

    Weatherford Public Schools has been growing quickly along with their community. They recognized that in order to continue serving their growing student body in the future, they would need to acquire land that would allow the district to expand. With help from OKCCE, they were able to pass their 2.03 million dollar bond which will allow them to do this as well as various other projects such as update security, transportation and other make other facility improvements.

  • Weatherford Public Schools

    Extra-Curricular Activities are the first programs to see financial impacts when state-wide budget cuts are made. Part of Weatherford’s $55.68 million bond allowed the district to build an inclusive field house, purchase brand new band instruments and uniforms, and build a new agriculture barn.

  • City of Weatherford

    In the midst of a pandemic, the City of Weatherford passed four propositions, renewing the city sales tax and allowing their ten year vision to come to life.

    Yes Weatherford! will bring $25 million in sales tax revenue to the City of Weatherford and impact all facets of the community.

  • Stillwater Public Schools

    Because it takes a village, Stillwater Public Schools passed their $74 million bond with the help of the local Vote Yes campaign. OKCCE assisted both the district and the Vote Yes campaign ensuring succinct messaging for both groups. Let us join your village!

  • Shawnee Public School

    The lack of state funding means schools must rely on bond issues to update facilities, technology, and transportation. The Center for Communication and Engagement advised Shawnee Public Schools to help pass their $32.225 million bond, funding necessary updates to aging facilities across the district.

  • Sand Springs Public Schools

    The Sandite Heroes of Sand Springs passed their $32 Million student investment plan without a tax increase. Through strategic communication planning, the Sand Springs team along with Kathleen tirelessly worked to create a unique plan to educate voters across the district.

  • Purcell Public School

    Dragon Pride is alive and strong in Purcell after passing a $30 million bond by over 70% to relocate and rebuild the junior high, update the football field, supply new band uniforms, and upgrade transportation and technology.

  • Pond Creek Public School

    Panther Progress started with the passing of an $8.985 million bond for Pond Creek - Hunter Public Schools to build a high school and administration, gym and multi-purpose center, along with a community safe room. After earning trust with the community, they passed a second bond for $2.285 million to fund a brand new football and track complex.

  • Muskogee Public School

    Muskogee’s Made for More campaign truly used a vision for the future and capitalized on setting higher expectations for the students and the community! Working with both the district team and the group of volunteers on the Vote Yes for MPS campaign, created a momentum that was unstoppable. This bond was the largest in Muskogee’s history and will revolutionize every school in the district!

  • Metro Technology Center

    Metro Technology Center’s $80 million investment plan will create pathways to success for the future Oklahoma workforce. Check the video out to see how the Center for Communication and Engagement incorporated the needs of the community along with the benefits of the bond issue in a strategic marketing campaign.

  • Moore-Norman Technology Center

    Like K-12 education, budget cuts also impact OK Technology Centers. Kathleen assisted Moore-Norman Technology Center and passed their $60 million bond. Moore-Norman Technology Center updated crumbling infrastructure, added new classrooms and other campus improvements.

  • Moore Public School

    After devastating tornadoes ripped through Moore killing seven children in Plaza Towers Elementary , the community of Moore passed a $209 million bond issue allowing storm shelters to be built in every Moore Public School site.

  • Lawton Public School

    Lawton Public School passed their largest bond in 45 years of $99 million with 73% to tackle major projects across the district including the demo and rebuild of Eisenhower Middle School, adding safe rooms throughout the district, providing band uniforms to all three high schools and improving technology and textbook allocations.

  • Hilldale Public School

    After failing two previous bonds, Hilldale Public School passed their $15 Million bond in 2017 with the help of the Center for Communication and Engagement. Funds for this bond were allocated to changing the configuration of the Elementary entrance, remodeling the Pre-K and Kindergarten rooms, updating antiquated textbooks, improving technology, providing a new gym and athletic infrastructure as well as safety enhancements.

  • Altus Public School

    Altus Public School District passed their first school bond in almost 60 years on March 5, 2019. Check out this Altus Public School video produced and directed by the Center for Communication and Engagement which was one tactic to help them win their $6 Million Student Community Investment Plan.