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Hillsboro SD 1J introduces bond consultants, outlines outreach and equity-centered campaign approach
Summary
The school board met June 17 to meet the pre-bond consulting team selected through the district RFP process and to hear the consultantspreliminary assessment of bond capacity and a community outreach plan centered on equity and multilingual engagement.
At a June 17 meeting, Hillsboro School District 1J introduced the team chosen to lead pre-bond planning and community outreach and received a preliminary summary of financing capacity and engagement strategy.
Staff said an RFP process resulted in the selection of a consulting team identified in the meeting as "Turner, Townsend, and Harry." Board members and staff met the project executive and outreach leads: Scott Johnson (project executive), Anthony Velez (community outreach and engagement lead) and Brooke Schumacher (senior project manager). The consultants described a phased approach to bond development and voter engagement that centers equity, multilingual outreach and extensive community listening.
Presenters summarized a Piper Sandler report and said "$0.84 is dropping off," language they used to describe a change in capacity that increases potential bonding capacity; presenters cautioned that the statement reflected the finance firm's analysis and that project lists and costs would be developed and refined as community input and cost estimates are gathered. The team recommended a data-driven process to identify candidate projects: feed in facilities assessments and ODE metrics, gather community feedback, obtain cost data, and then refine priorities in iterative ("rubber band") cycles.
Outreach and engagement plans described in the presentation include targeted in-person events across the district, community surveys in multiple languages and "transcreation" of messages (adapting messaging by language and culture rather than literal translation). Consultants said they will aim for broad community representation in outreach by engaging faith-based and civic groups, local businesses, and community-based organizations and by providing materials in Spanish and other languages.
The consultants proposed a 30/60/90-day work plan to establish priorities, a team charter, roles and success criteria, and to finalize a campaign schedule. They said they will present a baseline schedule and an updated plan at the board retreat and provide interim reports to the board as needed. Consultants and staff said the Districthas about 17 months before the likely election date and that polling shows favorable conditions for a bond if the district can marshal community support around clearly communicated priorities.
Board members asked whether the campaign would replicate the 2017 approach; consultants said they would review past successful practices and adapt to current needs and community changes. The consultants emphasized the need to identify visible projects across the district to motivate turnout while balancing long-range facility needs.
Board members requested a copy of the consultants' presentation packet; staff said the materials were in draft form and would be provided to the board for review.
