Vermont School Boards Association

2010

1 Month Prior to Vote Involve key opinion leaders on budget

committee

Do not spend public funds promoting budget passage – only provide necessary information

Communicate facts in clear, concise manner

204/19/23Vermont School Boards

Association

1 Month Prior to Vote Review action/strategic plan for

direction

Check original budget assumptions and determine new priorities

Decide what makes sense politically

Prepare contingency plan for multiple budget defeats

04/19/23Vermont School Boards

Association 3

1 Month Prior To Vote◦Prepare budget

◦Prepare voting process

◦Organize PR Committee

◦ Warn new vote

404/19/23Vermont School Boards

Association

1 Month Prior To Vote◦Prepare informational materials

◦Obtain voter registration lists

◦Recruit “Get Out The Vote” volunteers

◦Elicit teacher/administrator recommendations

504/19/23Vermont School Boards

Association

3 Weeks Prior to Vote◦Begin community presentations

◦Meet with media

◦Assign volunteers in “Get Out Vote” drive

◦Prepare yard signs & flyers (no public funds)

604/19/23Vermont School Boards

Association

3 Weeks Prior To Vote◦Include “Vote on School Budget” in business advertisements

◦Write & tape radio Public Access TV spots

◦Design & schedule newspaper announcements

◦Post info on Town & School web sites

704/19/23Vermont School Boards

Association

3 Weeks Prior To Vote◦Organize key opinion leader breakfasts

◦School leaders & volunteers meet: Church leaders

Parent groups/PTA

Chamber of Commerce & Rotary

804/19/23Vermont School Boards

Association

3 Weeks Prior To VoteSchool leaders & volunteers meet: Select Board & other town officers

Senior center(s)

Teachers and staff

Voter registration for18 year olds

04/19/23Vermont School Boards

Association 9

2 Weeks Prior To Vote◦Compile telephone surveys

◦Direct mailings to clergy (no public funds)

◦Information posters in stores

◦Supermarket TV monitors

1004/19/23Vermont School Boards

Association

2 Weeks Prior to Vote◦Target distribution of sample ballots

◦Post “Vote on School Budget” signs

◦Telephone voters

◦Prepare Main Street banner (no public funds – incorporate business ad)

1104/19/23Vermont School Boards

Association

1 Week Prior To Vote◦Newspaper announcements (no public funds)

◦Mail newsletter (just facts)

◦Radio & Cable TV interviews

◦Restaurant placemats NECAP questions

1204/19/23Vermont School Boards

Association

1 Week Prior To Vote

◦Hang street banner (with business ad)

◦School reader board

◦Post yard & other signs

◦Portable town reader boards

04/19/23 13Vermont School Boards

Association

Night Before Vote

◦“Reminder to Vote” phone calls

◦School staff “Reminder to Vote” notice

◦Review “Transportation To Polls” logistics

◦Radio and TV “Reminder to Vote” ads

1404/19/23Vermont School Boards

Association

Getting the Right Message to the Media

1504/19/23Vermont School Boards

Association

Develop relationships with reporters

Know “Rules of Engagement”◦“On & off the record”◦Background info

Frame the message- keep it simple & precise

1604/19/23Vermont School Boards

Association

Understand reporters’ limitations◦tight deadlines

Know your audience◦catch interest with your message

1704/19/23Vermont School Boards

Association

Provide backup print materials◦Help reporter understand issue

Always be truthful

1804/19/23Vermont School Boards

Association