Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The Elements of a Successful Referendum

 http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/dyer/lake-central-school-referendum-passes/article_b78695c4-de2d-510f-b0e7-36c4864e78d1.html

Lake Central Schools in Indiana needed two attempts at their referendum to get it passed. But after the first one failed, they learned a lesson:

"In a special June 2009 election, residents rejected a $95 million referendum proposal to renovate and expand the high school. The plan was shot down by a 59-41 percent margin.
In the aftermath of the defeat, the school district developed a districtwide master plan that included the needs of all facilities. School officials went through a lengthy planning process that included input from the community at large."

This is the problem with Beloit's referendum; the district did not include the needs of all facilities and did not seek input from the community at large. There was no planning.  In just 8 weeks we go to the polls, and district officials are still in the planning stages. If the referendum fails, we have a second chance to get it right -- include our middle schools and our high school. Fund programs that have gone so long without support. Form a community group to study the needs of the district. Plan the referendum carefully and make Beloit Schools Better for every student.

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