Case Study: Monroe Public Schools achieves voter-approved $110.9M facilities bond through inclusive bilingual engagement with ThoughtExchange

How Monroe Public Schools used an innovative platform to address extensive facilities improvements

Monroe Public Schools in Washington faced declining participation and limited inclusiveness in its outreach as it prepared for a potential facilities bond. With bond debt nearly retired and a possible referendum seven months away, district leaders needed a way to engage both English- and Spanish-speaking stakeholders in a two-way conversation so projects would reflect community priorities and funding realities.

The district partnered with Thoughtexchange to run bilingual online engagements that reached people who couldn’t or wouldn’t attend town halls. The first process drew 1,232 participants, 2,438 thoughts and 42,810 stars, and an improved Spanish interface followed. Insights helped prioritize projects, keep the plan within the current tax rate, strengthen community relationships—and in April 2015 voters approved a $110.9 million bond for facilities improvements.

Monroe Public Schools

Rosemary O’neil

Communications Director