Nicolet Drawing up Plan of Attack for Referendum

With six weeks to go before the Nicolet School District's referendum that would raise the district's revenue cap by $2.15 million in each of the next five years, school officials want to make sure they do everything they can to get the word out about the need for the referendum.

Kit Dailey, the district's public information specialist, told a School Board committee Monday that it needs to do more than just rely on mailings to inform the public. Because the demographics of the district vary, so must the way the message is delivered.

"The idea is to also be using that Facebook network," Dailey said. "This is about finding and making sure that people know how to get information. Facebook isn't designed for long, lengthy discussions about things that are complicated like this, but it certainly can be a way to say to those that are interested in Nicoelt High School, 'Are you aware of the referendum that's coming up? Click here to get to the distirct's website.' "

While the School Board hasn't yet approved the specifics of a public education plan, the tentative schedule calls for sending out a postcard soon, depending on what happens with Gov. Scott Walker's budget bill; then a second postcard; and then a third mailing with more detailed information about the referendum. The mailings would reach about 12,000 households before the April 5 election.

Other ideas discussed to spread the word was to reach out to Nicolet's three elementary districts - , and Glendale-River Hills - and ask them to help spread the word. Dailey suggested that Nicolet try to send letters home in the students' weekly folders in those districts.

She also suggested submitting guest editorials to the local newspaper and to Fox Point-Bayside Patch. This letter could be written by District Administrator Rick Monroe and focus on the key topics such as Walker's budget and its impact on the district.

Dailey also suggested creating an online photo gallery to highlight some of the school's features.

"What's going on at Nicolet? This is about students and programs and kids, really, fundamentally," Dailey said. "You're driving by on the highway, but do you ever really come in? No, they really don't unless they're parents."

Jeff Dellutri, director of business services, is working on a frequently asked questions page for the district's website to address the most common questions residents may have. Those questions include:

• What are residents voting on?
• Why is the district proposing this now?
• What is the cost?
• What has the district already done to reduce costs?
• How can residents get more information?
• Why does the district need a referendum?

The current FAQ page has some of these questions addressed already, and can be found here.

Dellutri noted, however, the state budget bill could really change things, which means the FAQ page may have to be updated often.

"It's going to be fluid because what it might look like today, could change with budget amendments," he said.

The district also has a special e-mail address for with questions on the referendum: nicolet_referendum@nicolet.k12.wi.us.