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Consultant urges phased bond strategy, yearlong "Walk the Halls" campaign for Lebanon schools
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Summary
A consultant told the Lebanon Community School District board that a phased renewal strategy, clear polling benchmarks and a yearlong engagement campaign called "Walk the Halls" are the best path to address aging buildings; the board will consider the engagement plan at a later regular meeting.
Kyle, the presenter, told the Lebanon Community School District school board that many of the district’s buildings are approaching the 50–70 year range and that the district should treat bonds as recurring, planned investments rather than infrequent, large asks. "Bonds not being something that you do every once in a while, but something that you are long term planning for," Kyle said, arguing phased renewals help avoid critical needs and spread costs.
Kyle outlined six recommended actions: (1) adopt a phased approach to facility improvements; (2) set a long‑range bond goal; (3) establish bond‑readiness benchmarks; (4) convene a superintendent’s facilities committee quarterly; (5) run a yearlong community engagement program called "Walk the Halls" with monthly school spotlights, fact sheets and videos; and (6) re‑poll the community after a year of engagement. He said the district’s current bond expires in 2030 and called May 2030 the latest practical window to seek a renewal if community sentiment does not shift earlier.
On polling, Kyle reported the district’s previous survey showed 38% overall support and 13% "strong yes," with a reported margin of error of about 5%. He recommended the board begin formal conversations about a ballot measure once topline support reaches roughly 50% and be confident to place a bond on the ballot when support is about 56% with subgroup strength near 40%.
Responding to board questions about sequencing, Kyle recommended releasing facility videos first to raise awareness and then holding at least one public tour so residents who want a hands‑on look can attend. "I would launch the video first," he said, and also proposed a single public tour date for people who want to "see, touch, feel" the buildings.
Board members pressed on prioritization and scale. A board member asked whether the next bond package would be smaller than a prior $100,000,000 deferred‑maintenance package; presenters said prioritization would combine building age with structural condition and instructional adequacy and that the district could size future packages to level the tax rate (the consultant referenced the district’s current rate as approximately "dollar 50" in the meeting transcript). Kyle also urged the board to keep enrollment trends part of the committee’s work, saying declining enrollment could change later phases and sometimes require consolidation instead of expansion.
On communications, presenters recommended a mix of tactics to reach older and less‑online residents, including mailed newsletters, targeted community events (for example Veterans Day assemblies) and partnering with local media; they cited other districts whose facility videos drew substantial first‑day views. Presenters said the superintendent’s facilities committee would include staff, community members, architects and project managers and would report short updates to the board after quarterly meetings.
The board did not take a formal vote during the work session. The consultant noted that the "Walk the Halls" engagement plan will be on the regular board meeting agenda for consideration, and the board paused for further questions before adjourning.
