School bond consulting
Facility bonds for K-12 districts and community colleges, from the first feasibility question to election day. Our in-house team handles the research, polling, measure development, community engagement, and campaign.
From facilities plan to election day
- 1. Needs and prioritiesWe start with your facilities master plan, safety assessments, and enrollment picture, and talk with the people who know your schools best: principals, teachers, parents, and facilities staff.
- 2. Feasibility researchInterviews with community leaders and public opinion research from our in-house, award-winning polling team. We test which projects matter most to voters, what they would support, and what they need to know first.
- 3. Project list and amountWith your financial advisor, we help the board shape a project list voters can picture and an amount the research supports.
- 4. Election timingWe look at election trends, turnout patterns, and what else is likely to be on the ballot, then recommend the election that gives the measure its best chance.
- 5. Board action and ballot languageWe work with your bond counsel on the resolution, ballot question, and accountability provisions, and prepare board presentations along the way. Decades of work with county election offices keep every step on schedule, from the board vote to the filing deadline.
- 6. Community engagementFact sheets, FAQs, mailers, site-by-site project pages, and presentations to PTAs, service clubs, and senior groups, all written and produced in house. We also handle media relations and brief staff on what they can and can't say.
- 7. The campaignParents, teachers, and local leaders often form a committee to support the bond. We can run that campaign: fundraising, endorsements, ballot arguments, mail, digital, yard signs, door knocking, and texting.
- 8. After the electionProgress reports, oversight committee updates, and project milestones show voters what their bond is building. That record matters the next time the district asks.
School bonds we work on
Vote thresholds and legal requirements differ by state and by type of bond. Your bond counsel confirms what applies to your district.
- K-12 facility bondsGeneral obligation bonds for repairs, modernization, and new construction.
- Community college bondsClassrooms, labs, workforce training facilities, and campus infrastructure.
- School safety and security bondsSecure entrances, communication systems, fencing, and emergency upgrades.
- Modernization and repair bondsRoofs, plumbing, HVAC, accessibility, and aging buildings.
- Growth and new school bondsNew campuses and additions for districts with rising enrollment.
- Career and technical education facilitiesShops, labs, and training spaces for career pathways.
- Technology and infrastructure bondsNetworks, devices, and the systems that support them.
- Energy and efficiency bondsHVAC, solar, and upgrades that lower operating costs.
- Athletic and performing arts facilitiesFields, gyms, theaters, and shared community spaces.
- Follow-on bondsA new measure that continues a building program voters have already seen at work.
- Bonds paired with a parcel tax or levyFacilities and operating needs addressed together or in sequence.
- Bond measures after a lossA second attempt shaped by what held voters back the first time.
- Any other school bondIf it needs voter approval, we can help.
What a board should know before calling a bond election
Every bond decision comes down to a few questions. Which needs do voters see as most urgent? How much would they support? What do they need to hear about accountability, like oversight committees, audits, and a specific project list? And which election gives the measure its best chance?
Feasibility research answers those questions before the board votes. You get a straight answer in plain language, even when that answer is to wait.
Relevant case studies
Turning Concern into Commitment
A chemical leak at a school months before a district's facilities measure. Crisis communication and parent listening sessions came first, then the measure.
Crisis in Confidence
Leadership turnover and budget questions had parents tuning out. Regular briefings, simpler budget reporting, and a clear press protocol.
Questions about school bonds
What does a school bond consultant do?
We help a district decide whether a bond makes sense, shape it so voters understand it, and communicate it clearly. That includes feasibility research and polling, the project list and election timing, work with bond counsel and your financial advisor on the measure itself, and community engagement once it's on the ballot. If a committee forms to support the bond, we can run that campaign too.
How long does it take to plan a school bond?
It depends on where you're starting and the filing deadline for your election. Starting while the facilities plan is still taking shape leaves time to research, adjust the project list, and choose the right election. A measure rushed to meet a deadline usually shows it.
What's the difference between a school bond and a parcel tax or levy?
Bonds generally pay for buildings, equipment, and other capital projects. Parcel taxes and operating levies generally pay for programs and staff. The options and terms vary by state, and some districts need both. Research helps decide which fits your needs and your community.
What vote does a school bond need to pass?
That depends on your state, and sometimes on the type of bond or election. Your bond counsel confirms the threshold that applies, and we factor it into the research and the timing recommendation.
Can the district advocate for its own bond?
A district can generally share factual information about its measure. Advocacy is handled by an independent committee. The rules vary by state, so we confirm the details with your counsel.
Our last bond failed. Can you help?
Yes. We find out what held voters back and whether a different project list, amount, or election date gives the next one a better chance.
Do you work with our bond counsel and financial advisor?
Yes. They handle the legal and financial structure. We handle the research, community engagement, and communication, and keep everyone working from the same plan.
What's your track record?
We've helped local communities raise more than $8.5 billion. On measures where we handle both the public and the private campaign, our win rate is 97.8 percent. We've worked with more than 250 clients in 26 states.
Considering a school bond?
Tell us where your district is in the process. Early is the best time to call.