Board outlines sinking-fund priorities and public outreach strategy focused on safety and maintenance

The Madison District Public Schools board discussed sinking-fund advertising and outreach at length on Aug. 19, instructing administration to prepare public-facing materials that emphasize building maintenance, safety upgrades and a long-term facilities plan.

Superintendent Patricia Perry presented attorney-approved language for sinking-fund ads and noted allowable uses: purchase of real estate, construction and repair of school buildings, and possibly shifting bus-lease costs off the general fund. Trustees repeatedly raised two immediate needs: resurfacing problematic parking/concrete areas (referred to in the meeting as "Lake Wilkinson") and replacing aging exterior doors and glass that the Madison Heights Police Department described as vulnerable during a walkthrough. Perry said some elements are grandfathered but were recommended for replacement.

Trustees advised keeping the public message simple (for example: the last bond paid for catch-up work after a period of neglect; a sinking fund would maintain facilities and prevent future large bonds). They asked for visuals that show what maintenance would look like per building and suggested a mix of outreach tactics — town halls, Q&A videos on the district website, short social-media clips and targeted flyers with QR codes — while cautioning against showing security vulnerabilities that could be exploited.

No formal vote to place a sinking fund on the ballot was taken; instead, trustees agreed to have the communications office prepare a draft advertisement and graphics for review at the next meeting. The board also discussed timing, possible 10-year duration and which items should be presented as priorities to voters.

Next steps: staff to develop sample language and graphics, consult legal counsel on allowable messaging, and bring a proposed outreach plan back to the board.