Bonds, Ballots and Buildings Conference offers foundation for successful district campaigns

Oregon voters showed an appetite in 2019 for education spending, passing 18 out of 21 school district bonds and local option levies.

The OSBA 2020 Bonds, Ballots and Buildings Conference can help school districts continue that trend.

The Feb. 7 conference offers a wealth of guidance on how to plan, execute and follow through on a successful bond campaign.

The conference, held every two years at the Salem Convention Center, brings together school leaders, communications professionals, financial experts and project managers. The day-long agenda includes workshops on topics such as “Turning a History of ‘No’ Into ‘Yes,’” “Manage Your Construction Contracts” and “Run a Winning Campaign on a Shoestring.”

Workshops delve into a variety of building-related subjects. “Increasing Student Engagement Through CTE,” for instance, looks at how creating new facilities intersects with the education mission.

"Today’s students require more relevant problem-solving experiences and hands-on activities,” said Karina Ruiz, BRIC Architecture principal. “At Bonds and Ballots, you will learn about how districts are creating environments that allow students to move around and collaborate as they design, create and problem solve."

There will also be the popular “Learn From the Winners” session, with representatives from Eugene, Astoria, Corvallis and Harrisburg school districts.

Registration includes food, materials and access to exhibitors offering services.