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Board approves Chandler’s Young Families campaign IGA; some members raise cost concerns
Summary
The Chandler Unified board voted to join a City of Chandler campaign to attract young families and professionals to the city. The intergovernmental agreement asks districts to contribute $10,000 each; board discussion flagged housing and interest-rate barriers as factors limiting campaign effectiveness. The motion passed with one abstention.
The Chandler Unified School District board approved Sept. 10 an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the City of Chandler to join a Young Families and Professionals Community Attraction campaign. The campaign, led by the city’s economic development division, aims to boost population growth and school enrollment by marketing Chandler’s quality-of-life advantages to younger households.
City presentation and goals City presenters described demographic trends—an aging local population and declining birth rates—that are contributing to lower school enrollment and reduced neighborhood turnover. The campaign’s stated goals are to attract new residents who will live and work in Chandler and to promote assets such as strong schools, job growth, public safety and family amenities. The city secured an external grant for the campaign and invited local school districts to partner; the IGA sets a $10,000 district contribution (the city says a $150,000 grant is the primary funding source, with districts asked to share a modest portion).
Board discussion Board member Heap suggested trimming district financial participation, arguing housing costs and mortgage rates are primary barriers that marketing alone cannot overcome; he moved to strike the district contribution lines but did not receive a second.
Other board members defended the partnership as an efficient way to amplify recruiting messages by pooling resources with the city and neighboring districts; they noted the district’s own targeted recruitment work remains separate. Board members also said the campaign could produce measurable returns: a single enrolled student typically brings more than $7,000 in annual funding, they noted, so even a small net enrollment gain would cover the district’s share.
Vote Board member Munson moved to approve the IGA; the motion was seconded and carried. The roll-call sequence included one abstention by Board member Heap; the remaining members voted to approve.
Quotation "This will expand our reach and allow us to show all the options that we have to offer for this great city," said a district marketing representative working with the city on the plan.
What’s next District staff will coordinate with the city and the selected marketing agency to align messaging and avoid duplicative targeting; the IGA will be executed and the city-led campaign will proceed under the grant and partner contributions.
