FPBS Referendum

Bridging the Budget Gap

Project Overview

Every two years, the State of Wisconsin sets the budget, determining the impact on school funding. In the last 15 years, funding from the state has not kept pace with inflation leading to major operational budget gaps for schools across the state. To bridge the gap, schools often go to a referendum to maintain instructional programs, services, and class sizes. Additionally, many schools are also navigating aging buildings – often 50+ years old – that require extensive repairs, need security improvements and otherwise do not meet the needs of a 21st-century education. The financial stress on school systems for operational and facility needs has led to record numbers of referendums across the state, including for the Fox Point-Bayside School District.

The Challenge

In 2015, residents of the Fox Point-Bayside School District approved a $950,000 operational referendum allowing the District to maintain instructional programs, class sizes and effective operations that the community has come to expect.

In advance of the referendum’s expiration at the end of the 2018-2019 school year, the School Board and District Administration desired to reassess the needs of the district and pursue a referendum to continue to supplement the district budget for the years ahead. The Fox Point-Bayside School District engaged Mueller Communications in May 2018 and again in the fall of 2022, to assist in the preparations and, ultimately, the pursuit of these operational referenda. Additionally, Mueller joined partners EUA and Miron to support Fox Point-Bayside’s April 2022 facilities referendum.

The Solution

Mueller’s work centered around three objectives:

Promote awareness of the Fox Point-Bayside School District’s achievements and the important role that quality schools play in creating strong families, strong communities and strong property values
Develop and strengthen relationships with local elected officials and community leaders
Educate voters about the need and purpose for the referendum

Mueller Communications developed a strategy and assisted with all aspects of preparations, including a district-wide survey with School Perceptions, in advance of the launch of the public information campaign.

Strategies included development of communications materials – including direct mail, fact sheets, FAQs, social media content, key messages, informational posters, letters from key stakeholders and more – to educate voters about the need for the referendum.

Mueller also developed a website landing page, hosted and promoted community information sessions, organized presentations to key community groups, coordinated media relations efforts and used small engagement focus groups to gauge the tactics’ effectiveness.

The Results

The 2018 operational referendum passed with 63% of the vote. The replacement operational referendum in the fall of 2022, passed with 64% of the vote. Fox Point-Bayside’s April 2022 $58.5 million facilities referendum passed with 54.61% of the vote. Mueller Communications continues to be Fox Point-Bayside’s trusted partner for communications needs, assisting with internal and external communications, strategic planning, newsletters, social media, media relations, events, crises and more.

Mueller’s work centered around three objectives:

Promote awareness of the Fox Point-Bayside School District’s achievements and the important role that quality schools play in creating strong families, strong communities and strong property values
Develop and strengthen relationships with local elected officials and community leaders
Educate voters about the need and purpose for the referendum

Mueller Communications developed a strategy and assisted with all aspects of preparations, including a district-wide survey with School Perceptions, in advance of the launch of the public information campaign.

Strategies included development of communications materials – including direct mail, fact sheets, FAQs, social media content, key messages, informational posters, letters from key stakeholders and more – to educate voters about the need for the referendum.

Mueller also developed a website landing page, hosted and promoted community information sessions, organized presentations to key community groups, coordinated media relations efforts and used small engagement focus groups to gauge the tactics’ effectiveness.

The Results

The 2018 operational referendum passed with 63% of the vote. The replacement operational referendum in the fall of 2022, passed with 64% of the vote. Fox Point-Bayside’s April 2022 $58.5 million facilities referendum passed with 54.61% of the vote. Mueller Communications continues to be Fox Point-Bayside’s trusted partner for communications needs, assisting with internal and external communications, strategic planning, newsletters, social media, media relations, events, crises and more.

Mueller’s work centered around three objectives:

Promote awareness of the Fox Point-Bayside School District’s achievements and the important role that quality schools play in creating strong families, strong communities and strong property values
Develop and strengthen relationships with local elected officials and community leaders
Educate voters about the need and purpose for the referendum

Mueller Communications developed a strategy and assisted with all aspects of preparations, including a district-wide survey with School Perceptions, in advance of the launch of the public information campaign.

Strategies included development of communications materials – including direct mail, fact sheets, FAQs, social media content, key messages, informational posters, letters from key stakeholders and more – to educate voters about the need for the referendum.

Mueller also developed a website landing page, hosted and promoted community information sessions, organized presentations to key community groups, coordinated media relations efforts and used small engagement focus groups to gauge the tactics’ effectiveness.