Anatomy of a Successful Referendum: Saint Peter Schools

How Did Saint Peter Public Schools Begin Planning for the Referendum?

A project of this scale does not come together overnight, said Gary Benson, director of project planning and development for Kraus-Anderson.

While every district brings its own goals and challenges, districts can benefit from experienced guidance in planning, budgeting, communication and project development. Learn more about referendum support services and K-12 construction.

Saint Peter’s process began in 2013 with a community-based Blue Ribbon Task Force. The task force considered how to serve projected enrollment increases of 1.5 to 2 percent annually over the following 10 years, a rate far greater than the district had experienced during the previous two decades.

The task force recommended construction of a new high school for grades 9-12 and reconfiguration of the district’s existing facilities, which were built during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

In fall 2013, Kraus-Anderson joined the effort as a consultant with Mankato-based ISG Architects to help the district define the project scope. After a six-month process, the plan was presented to the school board in February 2014 and approved to move forward.

How Did Community Feedback Shape the Referendum Plan?

The district next hired the Center for Community Opinion to conduct a community poll.

Results returned in May 2014 and showed strong support for the referendum. The findings also helped the district refine the referendum amount based on the community’s tax tolerance.

During the summer of 2014, Kraus-Anderson and ISG Architects were selected again through a request for proposals process for planning, budgeting and design development. The school board approved that work in November 2014.

Kraus-Anderson then prepared the district’s report to the Minnesota Department of Education for review and comment, another required step before the referendum.

“Preparing the report is not something a construction manager typically does, but it is another service we are capable of providing,” Benson said.

Early planning, facility evaluation and cost information can help districts make informed decisions before bringing a proposal to voters. Explore strategic facility planning, preconstruction services and the ABCs of pre-referendum support.

What Is the Difference Between an Informational Campaign and a Yes Campaign?

With Minnesota Department of Education approval, the district focused on the referendum information campaign.

“There are two campaigns that typically occur before a successful referendum,” Benson explained. “The district’s campaign is strictly informational, providing facts on the project, cost and schedule. This campaign is usually launched 10 to 12 weeks before the referendum vote.”

Kraus-Anderson provided assistance with Saint Peter’s informational campaign by helping prepare messages, offering templates and producing more than 5,000 informational mailers, save-the-date cards and sample ballot questions.

“They really engaged the community in defining the components and project costs,” Benson said.

The second component, the Yes campaign, typically begins eight to 10 weeks before the referendum. This advocacy campaign is led by community members who share personal messages and other materials to build support for the referendum.

Kraus-Anderson assisted community leaders with examples of other districts’ approaches and production of door hangers, flyers, banners, postcards, lawn signs and other campaign materials.

“If people were positive, or leaning toward supporting the referendum, the campaigners asked if, rather than leaving a lawn sign, they could tie a blue and white ribbon to a tree in their yard,” Benson noted.

The National School Public Relations Association offers resources on school communication and community engagement that provide broader context for public-school outreach efforts.

Why Did Timing and Leadership Continuity Matter?

Timing also supported the district’s effort by allowing sustained informational and advocacy campaigns without major holiday disruptions.

“January referendums traditionally do not do well,” Benson said. “In November and December, people are focused on holiday gatherings, and in January they are dealing with holiday bills.”

Leadership continuity was another benefit. Longtime Superintendent Jeff Olson retired in 2014 but was retained as a consultant to help guide the district through the referendum process. Former Principal Paul Peterson succeeded Olson as superintendent, bringing his own experience and understanding to the effort.

“Having worked with Kraus-Anderson through every aspect of the pre-referendum, referendum and now preconstruction phase, both as the high school principal and now superintendent, I can’t say enough how invaluable their expertise and execution have been every step of the way,” Peterson said. “The experience and skill set of Kraus-Anderson were excellent complements to our community’s enthusiasm for building a new high school.”

What Did the Saint Peter School Referendum Fund?

After years of planning and months of information sharing, including 23 community meetings, seven Saturday-morning coffee meetings and hundreds of conversations, the district’s methodical campaign resulted in a decisive referendum outcome.

With a high voter turnout, 57 percent of voters supported the referendum.

Plans for the new high school included flexible, collaborative academic spaces to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics programming; performing arts and athletics facilities; a Career Academy and Workforce Development Center with training in agricultural science, manufacturing and engineering; and community-centered spaces.

The high school site, located north of the Gustavus Adolphus College campus, was adjacent to municipal land planned for a future city park. The proximity created opportunities for shared recreation amenities for the school and community.

Learn more about career and technical education facilities, workforce development and the completed St. Peter High School project.

“Everyone is saying the same thing,” Peterson said. “The biggest winner today is the community and the kids. Think of the message the community just sent the kids. The message is they matter.”

Groundbreaking was planned for that fall.

In this article, Kraus-Anderson explored the Saint Peter Public Schools referendum process, including long-range facility planning, community polling, referendum communications, campaign support, voter engagement, high school construction and career-focused learning spaces. Explore school referendum support, successful school bond referendum strategies and the St. Peter High School project.