Bonds, Ballots and Buildings Conference
January 10, 2014
Salem - Salem Convention Center and The Grand Hotel - 200 Commercial St SE, Salem OR 97301 - 877-540-7800
Map/Directions

Thinking about proposing a bond measure?
Need a refresher course on:
- facility planning
- bond and levy financing
- campaign guidelines?
The OSBA Bonds, Ballots and Buildings Conference has a long history of helping districts plan their facilities, define and communicate bond costs to voters, and learn tactics for effective bond campaigns.
OSBA is bringing experts in construction and facility planning, finance, surveys and communications together to provide workshops and resources in a one-day conference.
- Attend workshops from experts in each field
- Learn how to run a campaign effectively without violating election law
- Hear your colleagues share their successes in passing bonds and levies.
Learn how winning districts passed a finance measure and how you can, too.
In November, only three school districts out of 13 passed construction bond measures. It has never been easy to earn the trust of voters and pass a finance measure. In this economy, it is even more difficult.
This year, the General Session includes our popular Learn from the Winners. In each workshop session, three workshops will run concurrently, featuring industry experts and school districts who will share real-world experiences. Sessions and presenters include:
7:30-8:15 am - Registration, Continental Breakfast
8:20-9:30 am - General Session
Welcome and Opening Remarks:
Betsy Miller-Jones, OSBA Executive Director
Dave Krumbein, OSBA Vice-President and Pendleton School Board Member
Learn from the Winners:
- Bend-La Pine School District
- North Santiam School District
- Portland School District
There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Representatives from these districts will share lessons learned on the road to success. Learn how they won their bond elections and ask questions to help you succeed in your election.
9:45-11:30 am - Workshops
Pre-Bond Basics: What You Need to Know Before You Go Out to Your Voters
Matt Donahue, DA Davidson & Co.
Katie Schwab, Wedbush Securities
Ari Wubbold, DHM Research
Melissa Martin, Public Affairs Counsel/The Nelson Report
Focus on State Programs: Maximize Investments in Energy Efficiency and Seismic Upgrades
Elin Shepard, Energy Trust of Oregon
Tom Hogstad, Energy Trust of Oregon
Jon Belmont, Oregon Dept. of Energy Cool Schools Program
Dan Weldon, Oregon Dept. of Energy Cool Schools Program
Kathy Estes, Oregon Dept. of Energy Small-Scale Energy Loan Program
Yumei Wang, Oregon Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries
Paulina Layton, Oregon Business Development Dept., Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program
Methodical Bond Planning: A Team Approach
Casey White-Zollman, InterMountain ESD
Jon Peterson, Pendleton School District
Scott Rogers, InterMountain ESD
Dave Fishel, Weneha Group
Dave Krumbein, Pendleton School District
11:30 am-12:00 pm - Visit with Partners
Meet architects, engineers, bond finance experts and more. These business partners specialize in services to school districts. They will be available to provide information and answer your questions.
12:00-1:00 pm - Lunch
Keynote: Election Law Update
Secretary of State Kate Brown
Continue your conversation with peers and business partners.
1:00-2:30 pm - Workshops
Bonds: From Dream to Reality
Part 1: Planning for the Election
Carol Samuels, Piper Jaffray - Seattle-Northwest
Ann Sherman, Hawkins, Delafield & Wood
Jerry Jones, Gresham-Barlow School District
Technology and the Next Generation Learning Environment
William Becker, PSU Center for Science Education
Pete Duncan, Presidio
Mark Rogers, Steelcase, Inc.
Michael Troyer, Interface Engineering
Joe Morelock, Canby School District
Dig Deeper into Your Survey Data: What to Ask and What the Results Mean
Melissa Martin, Public Affairs Counsel/The Nelson Report
Mara Woloshin, Woloshin Communications
Julianne Repman, Bend-La Pine School District
2:45-4:15 pm - Workshops
Bonds: From Dream to Reality
Part 2: After the Election: Now What?
Carol Samuels, Piper Jaffray - Seattle-Northwest
Ann Sherman, Hawkins, Delafield & Wood
Mike Wolfe, Salem-Keizer School District
Collaborative Solutions to the Fundamental Elements of School Facility Planning
Bob Collins, Hill International
Scott Mutchie, Hill International
Dave MacLeod, Thoughtstream
Richard Higgins, BLRB Architects
Sean Spellecy, New Dawn Security
Bob Lawrence, Communications Consulting
Campaigns on the Cheap: How to Run Small Budget School Measures
Jake Weigler, Path to Victory LLC
Ben Patinkin, Patinkin Research Strategies, LLC
Carla Axtman, Digital Media Strategist & Online Communications Consultant
4:15-5:00 pm - Networking with Districts, Workshop Presenters and Partners
For more information about participating as a sponsor/partner/exhibitor in this conference, contact Lori Sattenspiel.
Exhibit partner
- Exhibit space.
- Registration and meals.
- Listed in partner flyer distributed to attendees and on the event website page.
- Two weeks prior to event, OSBA will send an email to attendees linking to list of event partners.
- Ability to attend workshops as space permits.
Networking partner
- Exhibit space.
- Registration and meals.
- Listed in partner flyer distributed to attendees and on the event website page.
- Two weeks prior to event, OSBA will send an email to attendees linking to list of event partners.
- One week prior to event, OSBA will send an email to attendees outlining networking opportunities and thanking partners. Includes company logo and links to company website.
- Sign at all networking opportunities.
- Ad in conference workbook.
Premier partner - SOLD
- Space in partner pavilion or two event registrations.
- Listed in partner flyer distributed to attendees and on the event website page.
- Two weeks prior to event, OSBA will send an email to attendees linking to list of event partners.
- One week after event OSBA will send an email to attendees thanking premier partners and providing contact information.
- Sign for general session entrance.
- Company logo on one of the items below on a first-come basis:
- Lanyards
- Tote bags
- Pens
- Notepads
Conference registration is $135 for OSBA members and $235 for non-members. Fees include workshop materials, continental breakfast, lunch and breaks.
A $50 fee is charged for each cancellation received after January 3. No-shows are billed the entire registration fee.
Passing a general obligation bond or levy is not easy. In the November 2013 election, only three of 13 general obligation bond measures passed around the state. That means voters approved only 23 percent of the measures on the ballot.
How do successful districts pass their finance measures? Read about the three successful districts in the last election and hear more stories of success at the Bonds, Ballots and Buildings conference on Jan. 10.
Learn from the Winners:
Learn about North Santiam School District’s success after four attempts in five years: click here; after the page opens, scroll to the bottom to watch the video.
Register by mail
9:45-11:30 am - Workshops
Pre-Bond Basics: What You Need to Know Before You Go Out to Your Voters
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Pre-Bond Basics: What You Need to Know Before You Go Out to Your Voters - Matt Donahue, DA Davidson & Co.; Katie Schwab, Wedbush Securities; Ari Wubbold, DHM Research; Melissa Martin, Public Affairs Counsel/The Nelson Report
Focus on State Programs: Maximize Investments in Energy Efficiency and Seismic Upgrades
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Discover Building Efficiency Solutions - Elin Shepard and Tom Hogstad, Energy Trust of Oregon
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Cool Schools: Phase IV Technical and Business Assistance Opportunities for School Districts - Jon Belmont and Dan Weldon, Oregon Dept. of Energy Cool Schools Program
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Seismic Upgrades - Yumei Wang, Oregon Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries
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Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program (SRGP) - Paulina Layton, Oregon Business Development Dept., Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program
Methodical Bond Planning: A Team Approach
- Methodical Bond Planning: A Team Approach - Casey White-Zollman, InterMountain ESD; Jon Peterson, Pendleton School District; Scott Rogers, InterMountain ESD; Dave Fishel, Weneha Group; Dave Krumbein, Pendleton School District
1:00-2:30 pm - Workshops
Bonds - From Dream to Reality, Part1: Planning for the Election
- Bonds - From Dream to Reality, Part 1: Planning for the Election - Carol Samuels, Piper Jaffray - Seattle-Northwest; Ann Sherman, Hawkins, Delafield & Wood; Jerry Jones, Gresham-Barlow School District
Technology and the Next Generation Learning Environment
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Grants and E-rate to Enhance Technology and Next Generation Learning - Pete Duncan, Presidio
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The classroom: application studies and A new paradigm: the active learning ecosystem - Mark Rogers, Steelcase, Inc.
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Technology in the Classroom - Michael Troyer, Interface Engineering
Dig Deeper into Your Survey Data: What to Ask and What the Results Mean
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Community Perceptions & Election Timing - Melissa Martin, Public Affairs Counsel/The Nelson Report
2:45-4:15 pm - Workshops
Bonds - From Dream to Reality, Part 2: After the Election: Now What?
- Bonds - From Dream to Reality, Part 2: After the Election: Now What? - Carol Samuels, Piper Jaffray - Seattle-Northwest; Ann Sherman, Hawkins, Delafield & Wood; Mike Wolfe, Salem-Keizer School District
Collaborative Solutions to the Fundamental Elements of School Facility Planning
- Collaborative Solutions to the Fundamental Elements of School Facility Planning - Bob Collins, Hill International; Scott Mutchie, Hill International: Kamren Farr, Thoughtstream; Richard Higgins, BLRB Architects; Sean Spellecy, New Dawn Security; Bob Lawrence, Communications Consulting
- Long-Range Facility Planning brochure - Hill International
Campaigns on the Cheap: How to Run Small Budget School Measures
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Building your campaign without breaking the bank - Jake Weigler, Path to Victory LLC
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Polling and Message Development - Ben Patinkin, Patinkin Research Strategies, LLC
Click for information about participating as a partner/exhibitor in this conference, or contact Lori Sattenspiel.
Thank you to our partners!
Strategic Partner: | ||
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Property and Casualty Coverage for Education (PACE) pace.osba.org Tricia Yates 503-588-2800 x222; tyates@osba.org The leading provider of property and casualty coverage for public schools, education service districts, community colleges and charter schools. |
Premier Partner: | ||
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Piper Jaffray - Seattle-Northwest Division |
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Workshop Partner: | ||
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Hill International |
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Networking Partners: | ||
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP |
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Public Affairs Counsel www.pacounsel.org Melissa Martin 503-363-7084; martinm@pacounsel.org Public Affairs Counsel specializes in legislative representation, ballot measure campaign management, public opinion survey research and direct mail. |
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Thoughtstream |
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Wedbush Securities |
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Exhibit Partners: | ||
D.A Davidson & Co. www.davidsoncompanies.com Matt Donahue 503-863-5089; mdonahue@dadco.com Full-service investment firm based in the Northwest, providing underwriting and financial advisory services to municipalities issuing bonds and other debt. |
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Dull Olson Weekes - IBI Group Architects, Inc. |
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Heery International |
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Mersereau Shannon LLP |
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Talius |
For information about participating as a partner/exhibitor in this conference, click here or contact Lori Sattenspiel.
Secretary of State Kate Brown
Keynote Speaker: Lunch, 12:00 p.m.
Election Law Update
Kate Brown was elected Secretary of State in 2008. She is now in her second term. She previously served three terms in the Oregon Senate where she served as majority leader. She was a member of the Oregon House of Representatives from 1991 to 1997.
As Secretary of State, Kate has focused on the state’s initiative system, removing barriers to voter registration and voting, expanding online services to businesses and improving public program efficiency and effectiveness through state audits.
Kate is an expert in state election law. She has previously spoken at the OSBA Bonds, Ballots and Buildings Conference.
Hotel Reservations
Make hotel reservations directly with The Grand Hotel in Salem. Call the hotel, 877-540-7800 or 503-540-7800, and specify you are attending the OSBA Bonds, Ballots and Buildings Conference; you may also make reservations online. Hotel rates are $124 for single/double occupancy, plus taxes and fees. A block of reduced-rate rooms has been negotiated to help you save money. After December 30, hotel reservations will be accepted at the group rate only on a space- and rate-available basis. All reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Information about The Grand Hotel's room types and amenities is available on the hotel website or by calling the hotel at 877-540-7800 or 503-540-7800.
Salem Conference Center
In each workshop session, three workshops will run concurrently, featuring industry experts and school districts who will share real-world experiences. Sessions and presenters include:
9:45-11:30 am - Workshops
Pre-Bond Basics: What You Need to Know Before You Go Out to Your Voters
Matt Donahue, DA Davidson & Co.
Katie Schwab, Wedbush Securities
Ari Wubbold, DHM Research
Melissa Martin, Public Affairs Counsel/The Nelson ReportExperts in the architecture/planning, research and finance industries will provide a thorough examination by of the key items districts must understand and have in place prior to the election process. The session will cover surveys, mistakes made by school districts, voter climate, demographics of school districts, architecture and planning, determining projects based on population, general obligation bond basics, levy rate analyses and structures, and factors affecting your potential general obligation bond.
Focus on State Programs: Maximize Investments in Energy Efficiency and Seismic Upgrades
Elin Shepard, Energy Trust of Oregon
Tom Hogstad, Energy Trust of Oregon
Jon Belmont, Oregon Dept. of Energy Cool Schools Program
Dan Weldon, Oregon Dept. of Energy Cool Schools Program
Kathy Estes, Oregon Dept. of Energy Small-Scale Energy Loan Program
Yumei Wang, Oregon Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries
Paulina Layton, Oregon Business Development Dept., Seismic Rehabilitation Grant ProgramImportant improvements to schools include seismic retrofits and energy efficiency upgrades. Learn about earthquake hazards, ways to improve school safety and how your district can get incentive funds for energy efficiency projects.
Methodical Bond Planning: A Team Approach
Casey White-Zollman, InterMountain ESD
Jon Peterson, Pendleton School District
Scott Rogers, InterMountain ESD
Dave Fishel, Weneha Group
Dave Krumbein, Pendleton School DistrictThis expanded Learn From the Winners workshop by the Pendleton School District will discuss the unique team approach and methodical two-year process to put a general obligation bond on the November 2013 ballot. Participants will learn about the cost and time commitment of such an approach, including the board’s involvement and investment in the process.
1:00-2:30 pm - Workshops
Bonds: From Dream to Reality
Part 1: Planning for the Election
Carol Samuels, Piper Jaffray - Seattle-Northwest
Ann Sherman, Hawkins, Delafield & Wood
Jerry Jones, Gresham-Barlow School DistrictWhat does it take to get a general obligation bond issue on the ballot? Learn how to develop a long-range facility plan; determine your highest priority needs; develop a broad-based bond committee; identify the costs of a bond levy for taxpayers; understand how state and federal tax law restrictions impact your choice of projects; and develop a winning ballot title.
Technology and the Next Generation Learning Environment
William Becker, PSU Center for Science Education
Pete Duncan, Presidio
Mark Rogers, Steelcase, Inc.
Michael Troyer, Interface EngineeringThe world has changed, but unfortunately many learning environments have not. The panel will start off with a school district's view of classrooms and technology, then move on to address envelope, technology, human resources, and grants that are currently available to fund upgrades. Topics covered include next generation spaces for teaching and learning (how to integrate current knowledge of learning into the physical space), new technologies available for classroom use, teacher training and support, and funding for schools and capital investments and operations.
Dig Deeper into Your Survey Data: What to Ask and What the Results Mean
Melissa Martin, Public Affairs Counsel/The Nelson Report
Mara Woloshin, Woloshin Communications
Julianne Repman, Bend-La Pine School DistrictLearn how to read your individual demographic profile, who your voters are, and strategies to reach them; and review survey questionnaire formats and why they're used. Through hands-on exercises, designed to help attendees take what they've learned and apply it to their own districts, participants will learn how to deliver the right messages to a targeted audience. The session also includes strategies very small school districts that don't have a large enough population to do a survey can use to reach their voters. Attendees should come away with a much broader understanding of how survey research can help them turn more "nos" into "yeses."
2:45-4:15 pm - Workshops
Bonds: From Dream to Reality
Part 2: After the Election: Now What?
Carol Samuels, Piper Jaffray - Seattle-Northwest
Ann Sherman, Hawkins, Delafield & Wood
Mike Wolfe, Salem-Keizer School DistrictExperts will walk you through the process of selling bonds into the public market and arm you against potential pitfalls. This session will describe what underwriters, bond counsel, paying agents, insurance companies and rating agencies do; what information is required for disclosure documents; what the legal documentation includes; federal government rules and regulations; how to make your bond issue attractive to bond buyers; and what issues might arise after bonds are sold.
Collaborative Solutions to the Fundamental Elements of School Facility Planning
Bob Collins, Hill International
Scott Mutchie, Hill International
Dave MacLeod, Thoughtstream
Richard Higgins, BLRB Architects
Sean Spellecy, New Dawn Security
Bob Lawrence, Communications ConsultingGain a comprehensive understanding of skill sets to successfully complete long-range facility planning for your school district leading to capital construction. An interactive team of security, technology, design, communication, project management and community outreach professionals will share their collective strategies to achieve positive changes in your educational facilities.
Campaigns on the Cheap: How to Run Small Budget School Measures
Jake Weigler, Path to Victory LLC
Ben Patinkin, Patinkin Research Strategies, LLC
Carla Axtman, Digital Media Strategist & Online Communications ConsultantLearn how to assemble a low-cost school funding campaign; prioritize your campaign plan to get the best results; determine your best campaign messages; develop a strong ballot title and summary; take advantage of the Internet and social media; and determine the best way to invest limited campaign resources.
Register by mail