Welcome to SWWC Business Partnerships

Rapp Strategies, Inc. and SWWC have partnered to bring high-quality public information and community engagement plans for your use during referenda, including operating levies and capital project levies.

For more information, contact Todd Rapp, CEO, at 651-270-1071 or toddrapp@rappstrategies.com or Shelly Maes at shelly.maes@swwc.org.

Why Rapp Strategies?

Rapp Strategies is a full-service strategy and communications firm that has extensive experience working with school districts across Minnesota on local referenda. As of April 2026, we have provided communications support for 145 local referendum elections. Their clients, mostly in Greater Minnesota, have been successful 68% of the time.

Rapp Communications Services

Rapp Strategies provides comprehensive public information campaigns for school districts. The typical package includes:

• Lead strategy and implementation meetings with the district leadership.
• Assist with ballot question design.
• Oversee research projects.
• Draft core messaging used to inform voters about your proposal.
• Create a month-by-month communications workplan, including an editorial calendar, using school district tools (newsletters, social media, email) through Election Day.
• Develop and design a referendum brand/logo.
• Write content and build your referendum website, including an evolving FAQ.
• Draft press releases, social media posts, fact sheets, slide presentations, mailers and columns for media.
• Provide draft responses to inquiries from residents.
• Draft post-election communications, as needed.

Cost: $4,800 a month

An ideal program would last from June through November 2026, although we can work with districts on a schedule that best meets your needs. All billing would occur through our long-term partnership with SWWC. Beyond this package, Rapp Strategies has relationships with video producers and survey firms, if the district seeks to
contract for these services. Whenever possible, we encourage districts to use local vendors for printing and mail house services.

Myths VS Facts: Can a School Referendum Pass in November 2026?

That is the right question to ask. While the typical rural special election sees 30-35% voter turnout, a referendum during a Governor’s race could draw nearly twice as many voters. That should influence how districts approach sharing information about the proposal and community engagement, but it should not cause you to pause your efforts.

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Myth: A referendum will get lost in the noise of statewide elections this fall.
Fact: Mid-term elections are a good time for rural referendums.

The ten-year success rate for the lead question in rural districts during mid-term general elections is 61%, statistically the same as a November elections in odd-numbered years and similar to bond and capital levy success rates in February or April. More voters often means higher turnout from younger voters, especially parents.

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Myth: The tax impact is the most important factor in referendum success.
Fact: A successful plan is built on trust and value first.

Sticker shock can be a challenge, particularly if a district’s communications and engagement have been limited when creating the plan. But successful plans are ultimately about value, not price, which is why a $5/month plan can fail in one rural district while a $50/month plan passes in another.

School boards and administrators set the foundations for trust and value over time. Do you regularly show your residents that you listen to their input? Do you demonstrate that you spend tax dollars wisely? Can people easily access district materials, particularly from board meetings? Have you communicated the educational value of difficult decisions?

When the answer to these is “yes,” residents will listen more closely to your referendum plan that requires a tax increase.

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Myth: We probably only get one chance to pass our referendum.
Fact: Plan to win the first time, but be prepared to try again.

There are no guaranteed election successes, especially when you have to finalize ballot questions so far in advance of an election. While more than half of lead questions succeed the first time, all rural districts should be prepared in case the first effort faces unexpected challenges.

Recent experience shows why perseverance matters. In November 2025, 17 rural districts came back for a second time after losing within the previous two years -- and 15 succeeded. Why? After the loss, they continued to tell their story and build stronger support within their communities.