MASA began this initiative to help school districts deal with organized referendum opposition. This page contains background information on anti-referendum campaigns and how school districts can prepare and respond.
Download this booklet (pdf file) to learn about five rules to help your school district deal with organized referendum opposition while keeping your eyes on the prize: a high-quality educational environment for all students.
Parents UnitedDo you know of parents in your district/school who are concerned about school funding or state-level/national education policy? Suggest they check out Parents United for Public Schools, a statewide organization of parents that connects others to issues important to public schools, and particularly makes the link between what happens at the
State Capitol and what happens in their children’s classrooms.
Parents United has partnered with the Alliance for Student Achievement since 2001 and provides a website rich with resources,presentations on “School Funding 101”,
updates on the happenings at the Capitol during legislative sessions, opportunities for parents to meet with legislative leaders and network with parents from other districts.
As a parent resource, several school districts and organizations have listed Parents United for Public Schools on their websites.
School Levies opening page is at:
http://www.parentsunited.org/SchoolLevies.html
Within the School Levies pages they have the MSBA Final directory posted to:
http://www.parentsunited.org/2011levies.html
Referenda by Robin Smothers
Robin Smothers, APR, is the driving force behind the public relations firm, RMSPR. Robin’s practice focuses on community initiatives, particularly education. Accredited by the Public Relations Society of America, Robin draws from more than 20 years of experience to develop award-winning public relations, communications and community engagement programs. Prior to founding RMSPR in 1999, Robin worked in agency, non-profit and corporate settings. Robin holds a M.P.A. in Community Engagement, a Certificate in Public Participation from the International Association of Public Participation, and a Certificate in Business Communication from the University of St. Thomas. She is past president of the Minnesota School Public Relations Association and past president of the Association for Women in Communication, Twin Cities chapter. Robin is a frequent author, speaker and presenter on topics such as PR2.0, community engagement and public relations.
Robin Smothers Blog:
| September 5, 2011 | Five Things You Should Be Doing Now To Prepare For Your Referendum | Click Here
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| September 12, 2011 | A Closer Look At Communication Strategies | Click Here
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| September 19, 2011 | Preparing Materials for Your Information Campaign | Click Here
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| September 27, 2011 | The Importance of Internal Communication | Click Here
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| October 4, 2011 | How PR2.0 and Social Media Can Help Your Efforts Be Successful | Click Here
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| October 17, 2011 | Tweaking Your Plan and Handling Opposition: using thereferendum to make deposits in the bank of "goodwill" | Click Here
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| October 24, 2011 | Boots on the Ground – Or Communicating Your GOTV Efforts | Click Here
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Anti-Referendum Web Site Links:
Citizens for Reasonable and Fair Taxes (CRAFT) http://user.mc.net/~igloo/craft.htm
A blog from Croydon Citizens for Reasonable and Fair Taxes http://croydoncraft.blogspot.com/
A blog from Citizens for Reasonable Spending http://www.crs834.blogspot.com/
Various Samples and Background Pieces
In Paul Dorr's Own Words:
Organized Opposition's Information Requests of Districts:
Background on Organized Opposition Consultants:
Vote No Samples:
If you have information that you would like to share with MASA members, please contact the MASA Office. Send an email to Jeanna Quinn Vohnoutka 
