Believe in a Better Colorado’s success hinges on making sure employees and school board members are well-informed and can speak with one voice about the need for changes to our tax structure.

School employees and board members are the best investment school districts can make in their communications efforts. Informing, involving and training them are key because they are the people communities trust most for credible information about schools.

Phase one
Getting started meant informing public school employees and school board members about the need to more effectively invest in all essential public services.

This strategy is similar to how districts build support for bond and mill levy elections: Start with the “family,” (our own employees and school board members) move to small groups of community stakeholders and then target the broader public.

The phase one tool kit featured key messages and talking points, and resources to help school board presidents, superintendents and local CEA presidents learn and communicate about Believe in a Better Coloradowith district employees and other school board members.

Phase two
Once districts completed phase one – communicating with all staff and school board members about Believe in a Better Colorado – they were ready for phase two.

Phase two included district teams of school board presidents, superintendents and local CEA presidents hosting one-hour conversations with small groups of key stakeholders in their communities – leaders of parent organizations, business leaders, higher education officials – and public service providers such as transportation and health care leaders.

The phase two tool kit featured tips for hosting small-group stakeholder conversations, from selecting and inviting participants to facilitating a conversation. It also incorporated updated key messages and talking points, ready-to-use meeting handouts and additional resources about Colorado’s essential public services.