Date of Award

Fall 8-2012

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Education

First Advisor

Dr. Sherry DeVore

Second Advisor

Dr. Kathy Grover

Third Advisor

Dr. Terry Reid

Abstract

Many school districts are in need of a successful plan of action for school district referendums. The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine the perceived effectiveness between factors and strategies surrounding referendums and the passage of those measures meant to improve school funding and facilities. The findings from Johnson and Ingle (2008) and Holt et al. (2006) were used to guide this study. Three questions were posed: What do superintendents identify as strategies to use as prescriptive plans for successful school referendums? What existing factors do superintendents identify that lead to success of school referendums? What existing factors do superintendents identify that lead to failure of school referendums? A survey was sent to 134 school superintendents in Missouri who attempted to pass referendums between November 2009 and November 2011. The survey was composed primarily of questions utilizing a Likert scale. Superintendents were to respond to statements based on their perceived influence in their referendums. The results indicated that nine strategies were influential based upon the mode and p value scores. Three of the most influential strategies based upon the respondent scores included: Campaign focused on the benefits to the children, influential people participated on the steering committee, and focus on getting ‘yes’ voters to the polls. The most influential factors included: Trust in the superintendent and school board, and board support was unanimous. Factors that were viewed to be detrimental included: Increased tax burden, organized opposition, and failure to get enough of the parent vote.

Rights

Copyright 2012

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