As school districts work to effectively communicate their financial strategies and engage their communities, utilizing diverse platforms and creating key materials becomes essential. 

As school districts strive to communicate complex financial information effectively, it becomes crucial to craft messages that resonate with all stakeholders. In our first blog post in this series, we focused on using the elements of our strategic communication model to establish a solid foundation for communicating about district finances. This blog post, the second in our series, discusses the intricacies of creating impactful communications using the 3-30-3 messaging model. By breaking down messages into digestible chunks tailored for varying levels of audience engagement, districts can ensure their key points are both clear and compelling.

As the new school year approaches, many school districts find themselves facing the challenging task of communicating about finances and the potential impact on taxpayers. These communications typically involve topics such as the five-year forecast, the potential need for facilities or other capital improvements, and funding challenges in light of the expiration of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs (ESSER) funding, often resulting in a levy being placed on the ballot for taxpayer vote.