“I Won’t Pay for Schools That Don’t Do What I Want”: Navigating Community Trust and Beliefs to Maintain District Fiscal Stability in the Midst of Political Polarization

Abstract

This case examines a district heavily reliant on local revenue proposing a referendum for a new operating fund mill levy in a politically polarized community. Voters try to leverage their approval as a way to force the district to make decisions that align with their beliefs. The divided community, with some arguing for increasing and some for eliminating equity initiatives, creates a challenge for the district. Aspiring district and school leaders can use this case to explore how to talk to their community about school finance topics, determine levels of fiscal transparency, and navigate polarized voters.

Keywords

school funding referendum political polarization school community relationships school community trust district messaging transparency case study

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