Strategic Campaign

2025 Budget Vote

Informing, engaging, and mobilizing the community through strategic communication

Research

To ensure an informed and engaged community ahead of the 2025 school budget vote, key audiences were identified, including parents, staff, students, local residents, and media. Each group had unique concerns, ranging from the impact on taxes to academic programming. Early research also revealed recurring budget misconceptions, which highlighted the need to proactively counter misinformation using accessible and data-supported messaging. Resources such as Newsday’s state aid reporting and internal financial documents were reviewed to guide content development and ensure clarity.

Planning

The communication strategy included:

A dedicated budget webpage with a glossary, frequently asked questions, and financial summaries
Visual materials and QR codes linking printed pieces to online resources
Social media posts and explainer videos addressing common concerns
Integration of the Points of Pride campaign to highlight student and staff successes
Distribution of flyers, brochures, and posters in schools and public locations to broaden outreach

Implementation

The campaign rolled out in three phases:

Awareness (March to April)
- Web banners and social media posts introduced the budget timeline and key dates
- Launch of the glossary and frequently asked questions to support understanding
Engagement (April 23 to May 19)
- Promoted key budget highlights and ballot items
- Shared daily Points of Pride posts to showcase district impact
- Distributed flyers, QR code resources, and talking points at schools and community events
Voter Participation (May 13 to May 20)
- Posted reminders and clear voting instructions across all platforms
- Engaged community ambassadors and school leaders to help drive turnout

Evaluation

The campaign was successful, with the Hicksville School District securing budget approval with a 65.3 percent vote in favor. Social media engagement increased during the campaign period, and positive feedback was received from both school leadership and community members. The addition of Points of Pride helped personalize the campaign, emphasizing the real-life value of investing in students, staff, and educational programs.