Forming a Yes Group to Support an Upcoming School Referendum
Getting Started — School districts are legally unable to encourage constituents to vote yes during a school referendum. While their communication efforts are limited, the community’s voice is not. Therefore, many schools form a Yes Group to help inform and inspire voters to head to the polls.
The following are beneficial steps to take when forming a Yes Group:
- Identify a Committee Chair — The ideal chair will be well-connected within the community with strong support for the school.
- Create a List of Potential Team Members — Make sure the key team consists of various demographics, including differing genders, ages, races, family statuses, and occupations.
- Appoint a Treasurer — This individual should have high integrity and be influential in the community.
The Yes Group should focus on identifying yes voters, effectively communicating referendum details, and urging supporters to vote. Face-to-face meetings and phone calls tend to be more influential than emails. If a district staff member is part of the Yes Group, the committee should hold meetings off-site and avoid core working hours. District staff cannot be on the clock when participating in Yes Group meetings.
Donations — Yes Group efforts should be 100% funded by donations, such as through:
- PTO or PTA groups
- Teachers Union
- Individual Contributors
The names of donors who contribute $100 or more must be disclosed publicly. Therefore, many people chose to donate $99 or less.
Donated funds should go toward promotional materials, such as mailers, yard signs, professional videos, websites, billboards, postcards, and more.
Helpful Hints
- Form a Yes Group at least six months before the referendum.
- Yes Groups must register and file pertinent disclosure reports with the district clerk. The school district is not responsible for advising referendum groups in completing registration forms, submitting required filings, or meeting required deadlines.
- Create a core group of team members that can take responsibility for various facets of the campaign.
- Ensure committee members are well informed on referendum facts, including the project’s scope, budget, and timeline.
- Expand your outreach efforts beyond parents and others who are already affiliated with the school.
- Trust the school district and make sure communication efforts show strong support for proposed projects.
- Record constituents who will vote yes, no, and are undecided.
- Assume community members who are undecided or uninformed will constitute a “no” vote.
- Focus extra efforts on getting the message out the day before the election.
