Case Study
Decorah CSD Faces Challenges at Two Elementary Schools, Seeks Resolution Through 2024 Bond Vote
The Opportunity
Our Solution
To address these challenges, the district partnered with our team more than a year ahead of the bond vote, allowing time for a thoughtful, well-sequenced campaign.
Beginning in November 2023, we collaborated with district leaders to build a comprehensive communications calendar that mapped the campaign month by month through November 2024.
This roadmap guided every step of the process, from early messaging and talking points about facility needs to a community-wide survey campaign, the launch of a dedicated bond website, and a series of community meetings.
Along the way, we developed a suite of communication tools, social media content, videos, banners, mailers, informational graphics, and earned media coverage that consistently told the district’s story and kept the community engaged and informed.
Throughout the process, the district held regular meetings with our team and had direct access to the strategists guiding the work. Notably, the district maintained complete control over the messaging, with final review and approval of all materials before they were posted or shared.
Expertise Applied
Communication Campaign Planning & Management >
Social Media Content Creation >
Website Management >
Comprehensive Referendum Communication Campaign & Consulting >
The Results
By starting early and maintaining a steady, strategic pace, the campaign built trust, awareness, and momentum leading up to Election Day.
On November 5, 2024, those efforts paid off. Voters approved the district’s $38 million bond with nearly 67% support, surpassing the 60% threshold required for passage. The bond will fund the construction of a new elementary school that brings Pre-K through 4th grade students under one roof, improves security with a secure entry vestibule, and provides much-needed space, including a dedicated gymnasium, a large commons area, and flexible classrooms designed to accommodate future enrollment growth.
With design work already underway, the district is on track to begin construction in 2026 and open the new facility by fall 2027. The results of the extensive campaign addressed the district’s urgent facility needs and show how a clear, consistent communication process can build community confidence and secure long-term investment.