The Prescott Unified School District governing board on Dec. 2 heard a detailed presentation from bond and override consultant Paul Uland on how the district might test and pursue voter support for a potential ballot measure.

Uland told the board that declining turnout, rising partisanship and tight margins make careful planning essential. He recommended forming a needs‑assessment committee, matching parent and employee lists to the voter file, testing different ask amounts with polling and establishing an independent political action committee (PAC) to raise and spend money for advocacy. "The earlier they start, the better off you're gonna be," Uland said, urging an extended community outreach and polling timeline.

Trustees asked about costs and procurement. Uland estimated likely polling costs in the $10,000–$20,000 range depending on the number of questions. Staff clarified that if the board uses a consultant not on a state contract they must obtain competitive quotes (three vendors) per procurement rules; if a consultant is on a state contract the district may engage that vendor directly after due diligence.

After extended Q&A about likely ask amounts, competing ballot measures and community composition, trustees did not adopt a ballot measure at the meeting. Instead the board directed district administration to solicit proposals and cost estimates from potential consultants and return with sample fee schedules and procurement recommendations (state contract options vs. competitive quotes) at or before the January board meeting. The board discussed—but did not vote on—polling, messaging options, and the final dollar amounts to seek.

Next steps identified: staff will gather proposals and sample fee schedules; trustees said polling should be considered early in the process if the board moves beyond feasibility; the district must notify the county by early May (and file final ballot language by June) if it decides to place measures on a 2026 ballot.

No formal ballot measure or dollar amounts were adopted on Dec. 2; the board’s immediate action was administrative direction to pursue consultant proposals and return recommendations.