The Practice of Designing and Running School Bonds

Because school bonds create a public financial obligation, officials who propose and manage such bonds have an ethical obligation to ensure their legitimacy and effectiveness.  Measures should be considered to strive for the efficient use of public funds.  

This course draws upon scholarly and practitioner knowledge to guide students as they answer three critical questions that organize the class:

1. What legitimates a need for a school bond?  If legitimate, how does a school bond get to the voter for decision?
2. How do principles of effective public management apply specifically to school bonds?
3. What best practices exist to ensure school bonds are transparent so they do not lose legitimacy? 

Intended Audience: Professionals who are interested in cost-effective, transparent, legally-compliant, and—most notably—successful school bonds:

• Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents
• Principals on the district management track
• Other School District Staff and Senior Leaders
• Professionals in industries that service public schools 

Learning Outcomes:

• Assess the legitimacy of a need for a school bond, and if legitimate, describe the process to get a bond to the voter for a decision.
• Analyze how principles of effective public management apply specifically to school bonds.
• Define and recognize best practices that ensure school bonds are transparent and ethical so they do not lose legitimacy.