Brookings-Harbor looks to WESD for expedited bond communications; staff cites $7,000–$9,000 basic scope

The Brookings-Harbor School District Board of Directors on Jan. 21 discussed contracting outside communications support as it accelerates planning for a bond measure. Superintendent Helena Chirinian and Administrative Assistant Nancy Raskauskas-Coons said they met with Michael Clark’s communications team at Willamette Educational Service District (WESD) to assess fit for the district’s tight timeline.

Chirinian reported preliminary cost estimates from WESD, saying a lower-cost "basic" scope would be approximately $7,000–$9,000, compared with an expanded "full court press" model that could be about $60,000. Board members pressed staff on what deliverables would be included in the lower-cost option; staff described a stand-alone bond information website, explainer video(s) or short informational content, and an optional tax estimator tool for voters to see individualized estimated impacts.

Raskauskas-Coons noted the district already has bond counsel and financial advisory support from Piper Sandler and that internal capacity exists for some communications, but that outside support is being explored because of the scale and time sensitivity of the effort. Board members also asked whether the contractor had been involved in prior local bond attempts; Chirinian clarified WESD had been involved only in Gervais School District’s most recent successful effort, not in every prior attempt.

The board did not take a formal contracting vote at the meeting but confirmed next steps to select a scope of communications support if WESD is pursued and to prepare outreach materials before the district intends to file bond language around Feb. 27, 2026.