Superintendent Perceptions of Critical Facets Related to Successful and Unsuccessful School Bond Elections in Texas Public School Districts

Abstract

Over the past several decades, Texas public school districts have witnessed tremendous growth in student enrollment. This trend in significant growth is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Many districts also have expansive needs to update outdated and insufficient buildings of instruction. Bond referenda are generally the sole source for facility financing, thus passage of bond elections is critical.

The purpose of this study was to reveal superintendent perceptions of critical facets related to successful and unsuccessful school bond elections in Texas public schools. The study is important in terms of providing district officials with a foundation of reference to facets which will assist in increasing the likelihood of bond success while limiting the chances of failure. A qualitative case study focusing on interviews and archival data serve as the research design and data collection approach. Data analysis is accomplished via a sequential combination of categorical aggregation, pattern identification, and naturalistic generalization.

The findings of the study reveal that five primary facets exist which, with focus hereto, will assist district officials with passage of bond elections: (a) building and maintaining trust in district officials; (b) getting to know the public; (c) informing the public; (d) hiring a bond strategist; and (e) separating propositions. Superintendents perceive that focusing on and giving credence to these facets will enhance the likelihood of bond election success. While adherence to and consideration of these items will not clinch definite election victory, it will increase the likelihood of doing so.