Building Trust, Building Schools: Mobilizing Your Community for a Successful Bond or Referendum Webinar

Webinar Date: March 19, 2025

1 CEU / AIA LU

Passing a bond or referendum for school improvements requires thoughtful planning, collaboration, and active community engagement. In this presentation, we’ll explain how you can mobilize your community and secure support for your proposal. We’ll walk through:

1. Building goodwill with your community
2. Establishing a steering committee
3. Assessing your district’s needs
4. Developing plans and renderings
5. Engaging your community
6. Finalizing your bond or referendum proposal
7. Leading community and informational campaigns

Collaboration, clear communication, and practical planning are key to passing your bond or referendum and achieving your district’s goals. Above all, remember to engage your community early and often to show that your district is transparent and working hard to support your students.

Learning Objectives:

• Establish effective informational and community campaigns.
• Utilize communication methods to reach the maximum number of voters.
• Identify and prioritize district facility needs.
• Take steps to ensure a positive relationship with your community in the months and years prior to a capital campaign.

Speakers:

		Sandra March, Associate AIA, C2AE, Education Market Leader Sandra (March) Buyck has spent over 25 years building relationships across the architecture and engineering industry. Her passion is connecting educators with skilled architects and engineers to create highly effective, safe, long-lasting learning environments.
		Steve Jurczuk, AIA, LEED AP, C2AE, Project Manager, Education Planner Steve has nearly 30 years of experience serving communities as a project manager, licensed architect, and public servant. He has managed dozens of projects for educators, with construction costs totaling over $200 million. His understanding of the technology and designs used in learning environments has been instrumental in C2AE’s track record of school design success.
		Jessica Harrand, Superintendent, Buckley Community Schools Jessica has been Superintendent – Elementary Principal at Buckley Community Schools for seven years. A career educator, she has also held roles as special education supervisor, resource room teacher, school board member, student council advisor, PTA member, and even coach. She is a graduate of Grand Valley State University, with certificates in elementary teaching and K-12 special education. She holds her master’s degree in educational leadership with an emphasis on special education.