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Board seeks communications partner for possible future referendum; members say the market is narrow
Summary
The board’s facilities committee reported that two firms responded to an RFP for referendum-style communications and outreach, with members describing referendum communications as a niche service; the board discussed desired full-service scope and timing concerns ahead of any future tax measure.
The facilities committee told the Boonton Township Board of Education it has reached a limited pool of firms in response to an RFP seeking communications support for potential referendum work.
Committee members said four firms were contacted, two submitted proposals, one declined and another had effectively retired. Members described specialized referendum communications as a narrow market and discussed the desired scope for any retained firm: coordinated messaging with architects, bond counsel and township partners, public-facing materials such as FAQs and a website, social-media monitoring and rapid response, and full project coordination to reduce administrative burden on the superintendent/administration.
A board member emphasized timing: if the district wants to engage a firm ahead of a future tax or referendum window, the district should act early to allow vendor ramp-up. The meeting record also noted the district’s recent failed referendum (two years earlier) as context for seeking experienced vendors.
Committee members said they had asked firms to provide examples of prior referendum work and links to sample outputs; the administration offered to circulate those links to the full board for review. No formal vendor was selected in open session; the committee is continuing outreach and will report back.
Because the discussion included considerations tied to potential bond or contract negotiations, some follow-up details and candidate evaluations will be handled outside open session as appropriate.
