School Bond Success: A Strategy for Building America's Schools

by Carleton R. Holt, Anne L. Bryant (Foreword by)

Overview

Many school buildings across America are falling apart due to age or lack of maintenance. Others are outmoded and do not meet the needs of modern educational programs and curricula. Unfortunately, school administrators and boards of education have found it increasingly difficult to obtain the funding necessary to correct facility problems in their districts. However help is at hand in the third edition of a popular title originally published in 1999. Holt updates the status of school facilities in the U.S. and provides new information on the relationship between school climate and student achievement. New to this edition is a discussion of the importance of technology in school bond issues and construction. The nuts and bolts of securing the funding for facility construction, a component of the building process usually overlooked in training administrators, are clearly outlined in chapters that begin with a look at the problem of aging schools and follow through the planning and project development phases to the bond campaign and election day. Filled with tips, checklists, and insights on the details from experienced school leaders, this is the perfect guide to consult every step on the way to victory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781607091677
Publisher:	R&L Education
Publication date:	04/16/2009
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	252
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Carleton R. Holt, an associate professor and educational leadership program coordinator in the department of curriculum and instruction, brings an extensive background of leadership in the field of education to the University of Arkansas. He has served as a band director, coach, and school administrator in the public schools in Iowa and South Dakota for over thirty years.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Foreword
Chapter 2 America's Aging Schools
Chapter 3 The Preplanning Phase
Chapter 4 The Project Development Phase: Selecting Consultants
Chapter 5 The Project Development Phase:
Chapter 6 Beginning the Campaign: Developing a Marketing
Chapter 7 Campaign Activities
Chapter 8 Bond Election Day
Chapter 9 Developing Special Skills
Chapter 10 Case Study Introduction
Chapter 11 Case Study #1
Chapter 12 Case Study #2
Chapter 13 Case Study #3

Editorial Reviews

Holt presents a guide to obtaining the funds needed to remodel, improve, and construct school buildings so that students may learn in safe and high-quality environments. This edition validates research and discusses the relationship between school climate and student success.

Research Book News

Holt has written a book on a very important topic in the process of planning, designing, and constructing a school building. Passing a bond referendum is both a serious and important part of obtaining funds for construction. Holt has provided a very sensible and methodical approach to complete this task successfully. The book is well written and should be a valuable guide for any school system interested in passing a bond referendum.

Glen I. Earthman

This book will serve as an effective guide for any school district or government organization contemplating an election. It provides a practical approach to presenting information to the voting public in an organized and sequential fashion. I have followed the guidelines presented in this book in directing successful election campaigns for school building construction as well as an opt-out of the general fund property tax limitation. Therefore, I recommend this book as a valuable resource to school or government officials directing public election campaigns.

Mark Froke

School Bond Success is a must-read for every school board member, superintendent, and aspiring district leader. I have used every edition of the text in our superintendent program and it has become the superintendent bible for successfully passing and managing school bond issues. It is an imperative resource for everyone involved in school finance and twenty-first century leadership.

Steve Jenkins

I worked in a public school district that has had significant historical challenges in passing bond issues. In the 1990's they failed seven attempts, in 2003 and 2004 they again failed twice. In 2005, I took the position of superintendent of schools, and we were given a structural engineer's report that said we needed to make a change to our building structures immediately. I dug into the practical information shared in School Bond Success and began to work on a plan for the district. We designed the plan, we communicated with the stakeholders, and we were ultimately successful as we now have two new elementary schools, one new middle school, new administrative offices, and a new community/school library. Our 12.56 million-dollar-bond issue passed with 76% approval and over 50% of voter turnout. I am thankful for the strategies and action steps I gained by being a student of "School Bond Success," as students are now learning in safe and educationally appropriate school facilities.

Paul R. Gausman

Holt presents a guide to obtaining the funds needed to remodel, improve, and construct school buildings so that students may learn in safe and high-quality environments. This edition validates research and discusses the relationship between school climate and student success.

August 2009 Research Book News

This book serves as a timely and relevant resource for school leaders at all levels to understand the importance of tactical planning for success when considering facility needs. I have personally served on a team who used this resource and the practical information shared within to design our needs, create a plan, communicate with stakeholders, engaging in campaign activities, and ultimately pass a bond issue with over 50% voter turnout and 76% voter approval.The result for that district was to replace nearly 75% of the academic space for the district with new or renovated facilities to serve students well for their future. I am thankful for the strategies and action steps I gained by being a student of “School Bond Success,” as students in that district are now learning in safe and educationally appropriate school facilities.

Paul Gausman