District staff consider Portman Square survey and outreach to test support ahead of possible bond
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Summary
KUNA JOINT DISTRICT staff discussed hiring Portman Square Group to run a two‑phase public engagement and survey effort to gather resident feedback and build public understanding ahead of any potential bond, with estimated costs and timelines presented to trustees.
KUNA JOINT DISTRICT trustees heard a presentation from Portman Square Group on a two‑phase community engagement plan intended to measure voter sentiment and educate residents about a potential bond or capital plan.
Assistant superintendent Jason introduced Amy Hall of Portman Square Group, who described a first phase of electronic surveys and multi‑channel outreach designed to gather values and priorities from residents — including people who are not current school families — and a second phase that would use findings to craft targeted communications if the district decides to put a bond on the ballot. Hall said the firm uses text‑based surveys, social media, community forums and partner distribution channels, and recommended taking a couple of months for an initial survey window.
Hall told trustees the firm has worked with other Idaho taxing districts and emphasized legal limits on advocacy. “We work closely with bond counsel so that we are adhering to the Public Integrity and Elections Act,” she said, describing the work as informational and evidence‑gathering rather than asking for a vote.
Jason said the district’s capital planning group has been “spinning our wheels” and needs data to move conversations forward. He said Michael Keith of Zions Bank recommended Portman Square; Hall and Jason said phase‑1 survey work could later be followed by a phase‑2 education and outreach campaign if trustees direct it.
Trustees asked practical questions about reaching residents who are not active on social media. Hall recommended a mix of approaches — QR‑coded mailers to homes, community forums, business and community partner distribution, and district web links — to reach harder‑to‑contact voters. She said sample fees for both phases typically range from about $28,000 to $35,000, with smaller startup and text‑survey fees (Hall referenced a roughly $500–$1,000 setup fee for text outreach) and said phases can be adjusted to fit budget constraints.
Trustees discussed timing and Idaho’s supermajority requirement for school bond approval, and several said they favored getting outside input to guide next steps. No formal motion to hire the firm or to spend funds was taken at the meeting; trustees directed staff to continue work with the capital planning group and to return with recommendations.
Portman Square is expected to return with a proposed scope, budget and timeline if the district directs staff to proceed with phase‑1 engagement.