Category Archives: VIS Information for Presidents

Information sent to Presidents and VIS Reps during bond or levy campaigns.

Phone Bank Canceled

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There will be no phone bank tonight at the KCLS service center. After much discussion and in consideration of our volunteers we decided to record a new robocall targeted for people who have not returned their ballots (as of Friday). We recorded it Friday night (with 4 students) and that robocall will go out this afternoon.

Please save your energy and rest up for our final Honk & Waves tomorrow – Woo Hoo! Thank you for your support!

We will be sending out the final .jpg graphic and messaging tonight or early tomorrow on a separate email for a final push to get the ballots in.

Thank you again for ALL of your help to reach our community and get those YES VOTES!

-Dawn Peschek & Alicia Veevaert
Volunteers for Issaquah Schools

VIS Update – April 18

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Hi PTA Presidents, VIS Reps, Communication Directors and VIS Supporters,

Hope you all had a nice Spring Break!
Can you believe it…only 8 days until all ballots are due! WOO HOO!  Almost there! This is the info to get out this week – please return your ballot! Many people in our school communities were on vacation last week so we need to make a huge effort to remind everyone to please VOTE YES and return their ballots asap this week! Thank you!
Please see below for Ballot Return messaging info and a JPG image of a graphic to share or post this week.
 
Final Honk & Wave is next Monday April 25th AM&PM – to remind people to vote by the deadline Tuesday April 26th. There are AM and PM times, please bring your friends and kids for this last community effort to remind people to vote! Contact Jody Mull if you have any questions at jodymull@comcast.net
All LIT Drop pieces need to be dropped on doorsteps by next Sunday 4/24 please! – if you still have some of your Lit drop pieces – now is the time to get out and enjoy the sunshine and get those final pieces dropped off on doorsteps! Thank you all so much for your help! Contact Lida Buckner if you have any questions at lidaj@comcast.net
 
**NEW Volunteer Opportunity!***   Phone Bank:  We need volunteers (parents, community members, middle & high school students) to help make phone calls to remind people to turn in their ballots on Sunday, April 24th at the King County Library Service Center – anytime from 5-8pm. A script will be provided, you can leave a message on their answering machine. Volunteers will need to use their own cell phones to make these calls. Please contact Alicia or Dawn at alicia@visvote.org or dawn@visvote.org if you can help any amount of time.
Please communicate to your parents, neighbors and community members  how important it is to get their ballots returned this week and to Vote YES for this bond measure.  Issaquah has passed its bonds and levies for the past several years, so some people may feel like this bond will pass even without their vote. This bond needs a supermajority (60% + 1) approval to pass – so every YES VOTE matters and makes a difference!
 
Returning your ballot by mail or to a ballot drop off location. We need a 60% Yes Vote to pass this bond, so every vote counts! 
By mail – put a first-class stamp on your ballot and mail it back. Your ballot must be postmarked by next Tuesday, April 26th. Please don’t wait until the last minute!
Ballot drop off locations: Return your ballot to a ballot drop off location, no stamp required. Your ballot must be returned to a ballot drop off location by 8pm on April 26th.
1. The Issaquah Police Dept has a drop box right out front 24 hours a day.
2. Sammamish City Hall will have a drop off van on April 23rd 10-5pm; April 25 10-5pm; Election Day April 26 10-8pm
For more information visit the King County Elections website at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/elections.aspx

VIS Update – April 11th

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Happy Spring Break!
Thank you all so much for your great work on our 1st Honk & Wave last Thursday! It was so fun posting some great photos from parents, kids, community members and teachers around our district reminding our community how important the bond is and to please VOTE YES! Thank you Thank you Thank you so much for your support!
1.  As you know, last week was a huge push to “Vote before the Break” – thank you again for your help getting that information out to your communities. We are really feeling positive that people listened and hopefully made an effort to get those ballots off the kitchen counter and into the mail before heading out of town.
2. Spring Break week has started and some of you may be out enjoying some well deserved R&R (woo-hoo!). If you happen to be in town or are planning a Facebook post, enews, or any communication to your school community this week- please remind everyone to Please Vote Yes by April 26th! Ballots can be mailed or dropped off at a Ballot Box (ther is one located at the Issaquah Police Station). We need a 60% YES VOTE to pass this bond, so Every vote counts! Every single vote matters!
3. We have heard that some people around our district are receiving an “amended” postcard from King County letting them know that their taxes aren’t due until May 2nd (because the regular due date of April 30th falling on the weekend). For some reason, unknown to us, King County decided to include a line which states the percentage of their property tax for school levies. Not sure why King County included this information now, since it wasn’t itemized on the original postcards sent in February. We will give you more information next week if we learn more.
4. And now, to end with some fun….please take a photo from wherever you may be this week with your Vote Yes wristband, window cling, or just write Vote Yes! on a sheet of paper, napkin, etc. and email to shellycoug@aol.com . Shelly will post it on the VIS facebook page…and/or post it on your own page, or your PTA’s page. This is a fun way to remind our friends and community that April 26th is coming soon and to please Vote YES!
You have all done such a great job helping promote the bond and we so appreciate your help get this bond passed for our community.
Have a great Spring Break and we will send you an update next Monday 4/18 with information for your school communities!
Thank you again so much and have a great week!

VIS Info – April 4th

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Hello Wonderful Bond Supporters…!!!

Thank you Thank you Thank you for helping to get this info out to your school communities – this is the big week when ballots drop – WOO HOO! FINALLY HERE!
COPY & PASTE BELOW:  Will you please send out an Enews, post on Facebook, etc to get this info out to your PTA community asap this week and let them know that ballots drop this Weds 4/6 and they should receive them Thurs or Friday. Please remind them to PLEASE VOTE YES BEFORE SPRING BREAK! 
 
It’s time to Vote Yes for the Issaquah School Bond!
Ballots drop this Weds 4/6 – they will be in your mailbox this Thurs or Friday!
• The Issaquah School District has a long history of outstanding financial management and the best bond rating the the state. This ensures there will be NO increase in your school tax rate with the passage of this bond.
 
•  Our schools are overcrowded. This bond will pay for an additional high school, middle school and two Elementary Schools. Our student population has grown by more than 2,000 kids in the past 4 years and we expect to add 2,000 more in the next 5 years, as well as a significant influx of students into full-day Kindergarten. We have to act now to provide classroom space for all students!
 
•  Land is scarce. Land and construction costs will only increase as our region’s economy expands. Now is the time to secure land and prepare for incoming students.
 
•  We need a 60% YES vote to approve this bond – so every vote counts. Please make sure to mail in your ballot ASAP!
 
The time is NOW to vote for Issaquah Schools! Thank you so much for your support of our outstanding school district!
 
PLEASE REMIND YOUR PEEPS THAT WE NEED HELP WITH HONK AND WAVES THIS THURSDAY 4/7 – MORNING OR EVENING SHIFTS – 
ALSO HELP WITH LITERATURE DROPS IN NEIGHBORHOODS (drop off bond info flyers on doorsteps) FOR YOUR STUDENTS NEEDING COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS, BOY SCOUTS TO HELP EARN A COMMUNITY BADGE ETD. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN – HERE IS THE SIGN UP GENIUS LINK FOR HONK & WAVE LOCATIONS NEAR YOUR SCHOOLS. Get a photo of your crew for Facebook!
 
Have a great Spring Break and we will catch up with you Monday after break 4/18 for a final push of information – all ballots are due by 4/26!
Thank you!

VIS Update – March 28th

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Here is your weekly info, we are getting down to the wire….FYI – ballots drop in 9 Days!
 
Due Dates to mail PTA Postcards – Elem & MS Weds & Thurs this week, HS next Monday 4/4
Please mail your postcards on your assigned day – if you can’t please contact Anne Moore at annemoore5@comcast.net or Dawn at dawn@visvote.org or Alicia at alicia@visvote.org and we will help you!
NOTE: Bring completed postage stmt form and postcards in the tray to the Issaquah Post Office Bulk Mail Window (blue door, left side of counter)
TIMES OPEN Monday-Friday 10am-1:45 to receive these bulk mail items – must arrive during this time
Elementary Schools Weds March 30th
Middle Schools Thurs March 31st
High Schools Monday April 4th
Count your total number of postcards and write the number on the form provided and bring with you to the post office.
Thank you so much for your help!

 
Bond Info to copy/paste – this is for PTA Enews Only – not school Enews (contains VOTE YES! Info):
NOTE: Everyone can send out the Bond Facts through PTA and the School’s Enews. But if you add “VOTE YES” anywhere – your info MUST be sent through your own PTA database only (not the school.)
 
 
DID YOU KNOW….?
• 2,000 + 2,000 equals a lot of kids in our schools! With 2,000 students added over the last 4 years, the projected growth of 2,000 more in the next 5 years, and the implementation of full-day kindergarten, we need to build more schools and add classrooms to accommodate our students.
• Vote Yes!: Bond passage will ensure that we have classrooms for our rapidly growing student population.
• Why now? Land for schools is becoming scarce in our region. Now is the time to secure land and prepare for incoming students.
• What will it cost? If the bond is approved, residents can expect to see NO increase in the tax rate. The tax rate will remain at or below the current $4.14 per $1000 of assessed property value.
• How can the tax rate remain level? The district has experienced rapid growth in the total assessed value of property due to continued new construction of housing and commercial properties. The district effectively manages your tax dollars and bond sales are structured and timed so that rates remain level.
 Vote Yes! for Issaquah Schools by April 26th  •  Ballots drop April 6th, so please vote before Spring Break!
 
 
Please remind your PTA Peeps and friends we need help with Honk and Waves and Lit Drops.
Honk & Waves are Thursday April 7th & Monday April 25th
6:30-8:30am and/or 5-7:00pm at locations throughout the district
Honk & Waves:  Bring a friend and dance around waving your signs to promote a YES! Vote! Take pics to share on Facebook of you and your peeps having fun promoting the bond. It is fun to count how many honks you can get.  If you can’t stay for the entire time slot, that is ok, come for as long as you can. Students can earn community service hours too. Click on the link below to sign up and for more information. Thank you so much for your help – your support is sure making a difference district-wide!
 
Lit Drops:  Please take a walk and help drop info on doorsteps at your convenience – any time April 2nd – 9th and April 16-23rd (no lit drops during Spring Break) A great way to get your exercise and help out VIS! Take some of our Lit Drop Postcards and drop them off at doorsteps in your area. Don’t need to ring the doorbell, just leave the information on the doorstep to remind voters to please vote yes! This is a great way to reach people who may not have heard too much information about the bond. Every vote counts and this is great voter outreach!  Boy Scout Troops and Girl Scout Troops can help too. Students can earn their Community Service hours.  VIS coordinator Lida Buckner will arrange to drop off Lit Pieces.  Click on the link below for more information and to sign up. Thank you so much for your help!
 
Honk & Wave / Lit Drop Sign Up Genius Link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084eabae2aa0f94-2016/

VIS Endorsements for Inclusion in Print Ads

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DEADLINE EXTENDED TO THURSDAY AT 9PM TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PAPER:
 
Hello PTA Members and Friends,
The Issaquah School District has a construction bond on the April 26, 2016 ballot. Our PTA voted unanimously to endorse the bond at the last membership meeting and our PTA is listed on the Volunteers for Issaquah Schools (VIS) endorsement page (view here at www.visvote.org).
 
VIS is publishing a full page color ad in the Issaquah Press and Sammamish Review March 31st. Individuals who have endorsed the bond will have their name printed in the paper if they endorse by this Thursday, March 24 at 9PM at http://www.visvote.org/endorsements-2016/
 
Ballots drop on Weds., April 6th – which means they should arrive in your mailbox on Thurs the 7th or Friday the 8th. Please vote before Spring Break! We need a 60% YES Vote to pass this bond, so every vote counts!
 
Thank you for supporting this important bond measure for our community!

VIS Update – March 21st

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Here is your weekly info – it’s crunch time, so please take the time to send out this info to your communities! FYI – ballots drop in 16 Days!
We have it broken down into sections, labeled, to copy and paste and post/send out. Thank you so much for your help!
Items listed below:
1) Info to copy/paste to endorse and have your name included in Issaquah Press
2) Vote Yes! info to copy/paste for your PTA Enews or Newsletter (contains campaign messaging, can’t be sent through school)
3) Info to copy/paste for your Facebook Page – Post ASAP – Deadline to Register to Vote for this election is NEXT MONDAY March 28th
4) Info for you: Due date to mail your PTA Postcards – must mail out from the Issaquah Post office
5) VIS bus logo JPG (to include on Enews for your PTA – can’t be sent through school. I have had requests to resend).
6) VOTE YES Facebook Profile JPG – please use as your profile picture from now to April 27th to show your support!
NOTE: Everyone can send out the Bond Facts through PTA and the School’s Enews. But if you add “VOTE YES” anywhere – your info MUST be sent through your own PTA database only (not the school.)
 
1) Info to copy/paste asking for endorsements to be included in Issaquah Press (deadline this Weds to be included):
Hello PTA Members and Friends,
As you may have heard, the Issaquah School District has a construction bond on the April 26, 2016 ballot. Our PTA voted unanimously to endorse the bond at the last membership meeting and our PTA is listed on the Volunteers for Issaquah Schools (VIS) endorsement page (view here at www.visvote.org).
VIS is publishing a full page color ad in the Issaquah Press and Sammamish Review and everyone who has endorsed the bond will have their name printed in the paper. If you would like to show your support of this bond measure and have your name included in the Issaquah Press & Sammamish Review, please go online and endorse by this Weds March 23rd at http://www.visvote.org/endorsements-2016/
Ballots drop on Weds., April 6th – which means they should arrive in your mailbox on Thurs the 7th or Friday the 8th. Please vote before Spring Break! We need a 60% YES Vote to pass this bond, so every vote counts!
Thank you for supporting this important bond measure for our community!
2) Bond Info to copy/paste – this is for PTA Enews Only – not school Enews (contains VOTE YES! Info):
April 26, 2016 ISD Building Bond…What is the cost and why do we need this Bond now?
You know your tax dollars will be wisely managed: The Issaquah School District has the highest bond rating of any school district in the state and has earned both a Moody’s Aaa bond rating and a S&P AA+ rating. Less than one-half percent of districts in the country have earned this dual bond rating which allows the district to borrow funds at a lower interest rate and saves taxpayers money. For 13 consecutive years the district has has clean audits by the Washington State Auditor’s Office.
Why now?  Available land for schools is becoming increasingly scarce.  Land and construction costs will only increase as the region’s economy expands. Now is the time to secure land and prepare for incoming students.
Why? Our schools are overcrowded. Our student population has grown by more than 2,000 kids over the last 4 years and we expect up to 2,000 more in the next 5 years, as well as a significant influx of students into full-day kindergarten. This explosive growth requires more schools and additional classrooms in elementary schools.
What will it cost? The district effectively manages your tax dollars which means your school tax rate will not increase.  Bond sales are structured and timed so that rates remain level.
VOTE YES! FOR ISSAQUAH SCHOOLS BY APRIL 26th! Ballots drop April 6th…Please Vote before Spring Break!
3) Copy/Paste for Facebook Post to register to vote: (can put in Enews too)

Do you have an 18 year old? Please make sure they are registered to vote to help us pass this Bond! Every Vote Counts! It’s easy to register online here: http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/how-to-vote/register-to-vote.aspx  Visit the King County Elections Home Page for voter guides and additional information on how to register. The Issaquah School District Capital Bond Measure is on the April 26, 2016ballot. If you have a student away at college be sure to mail them their ballots so they can vote too! The deadline to register online in March 28! 

 
4) Due Dates for PTA Postcard Mailing
Please mail your postcards on your assigned day – if you can’t please contact Anne Moore at annemoore5@comcast.net or Dawn at dawn@visvote.org or Alicia at alicia@visvote.org and we will help you!
NOTE: Bring completed postage stmt form and postcards in the tray to the Issaquah Post Office Bulk Mail Window (blue door, left side of counter)
ONLY OPEN Monday–Friday 10am-1:45 to receive these bulk mail items – must arrive during this time
Elementary Schools Weds March 30th
Middle Schools Thurs March 31st
High Schools Monday April 4th
5) VIS BUS Logo – JPG attached for use for any of your PTA communications – CAN’T BE USED IN SCHOOL EMAIL because it is advocating for to VOTE YES

VIS_April_26_LOGO__

6) VOTE YES FACEBOOK JPG:
 VIS_Facebook_Logo-01
 
 
MISC LINKS:
Honk & Wave / Lit Drop Sign Up Genius Link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084eabae2aa0f94-2016/

VIS – March 14, 2016

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This week we have a couple extra goodies for you, and a message point for your Enews, newsletters, etc.
Thank you so much helping get this information out to your school communities!
1) VIS Facebook Logo – Would you please get the word out to use the attached VIS Facebook Logo as your Profile Pic now until April 26 to show your support of the Bond! (JPG file attached)
2) *New VIS Vote Yes! Flyer Attached – Please link to it on your Enews and/or place in your PTA newsletter if it goes out to your own database. (PDF file Attached) (Remember: Don’t hang up on bulletin boards or hand out at school because it says to VOTE YES! Anywhere off of ISD property or at your PTSA meetings are ok to distribute)
3) Remind people to endorse on the VIS website at www.visvote.org. We will be printing all endorsements as a full page ad in the Issaquah Press & Sammamish Review – deadline to be included isnext Monday 3/21. Link to VIS Webpage to endorse: http://www.visvote.org/  ***If you know a business owner who would like to endorse the bond, please let us know! – email Alicia at alicia@visvote.org for endorsement info***
 
4) Please Sign Up for Honk & Waves and Lit Drops Here..We need you! http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084eabae2aa0f94-2016
Honk & Waves are Thursday, April 7 & Monday, April 25  6:30-8:30am & 5-7pm
Lit Drops anytime April 2-9 and 17-24 (no drops over Spring Break) Great exercise and great way to get student community service hours!
Take pics to post on your Facebook pages and the VIS page too! Our community is the best!
NOTE: Everyone can send out the Bond Fact below through PTA AND/OR the School’s Enews. But if you add “VOTE YES” anywhere – your info MUST be sent through your own PTA database only (not the school.)
 
Today’s Bond Fact :
 
Issaquah School Bond – Growth & Building: In 1990, student enrollment was 8,600. The District had three high schools, three middle schools and seven elementaries. By 2002, enrollment had climbed to 14,500. Today nearly 19,000 students attend 3 high schools, 5 expanded middle schools, and 15 elementary schools. Over the last 10 years, the Issaquah School District Capital Projects Department has successfully managed approximately $325 million in projects and our schools and support service centers are modern, efficient, cost effective, and equitable district-wide. A variety of sustainable strategies have been used to enhance the learning environment while reducing maintenance and operational costs. Energy efficient construction saves operation dollars that can be used for the classroom.
For an update on ISD’s current construction projects please visit: http://www.issaquah.wednet.edu/district/departments/CapProjects
VIS_Facebook_Logo

 

 

 

VIS – Honk & Wave Information

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(From Jody Mull)

We have a great sign up genius account that you know about for you to forward through your pta enews to get people to sign up for Honk and Waves and also help with the literature drops for the Bond campaign.

Here is the link:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084eabae2aa0f94-2016/

I am the VIS rep for Issaquah High School and passed the attachment on this email around at our PTA meeting yesterday for people to sign up on paper to help out with Honk and Wave and the literature drops.

I then forwarded this information to our sign up genius guru, Lida Buckner who can then get it entered into the sign up genius account so VIS can then communicate with them.

When you look at the attachment you will see I left the location of where you will focus your honk and wave blank so you can fill that in.  ATTACHMENT: Honk_And_Wave_April_7-25

Just passing this on in case you would like to use it as well!

Thank you so much for your support of our schools!!!

Jody Mull
VIS  Honk and Wave Chair
jodymull@comcast.net
2069404051

VIS Updates – March 7, 2016

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Here is your weekly Bond Facts & Information to share. We have included a link to an ISD Construction video, a link to register to vote online, Honk & Wave/Lit Drop Sign up Genius link, and a message point about tax impact and a jpg image with the fact too.
 
Thank you again so much helping get this information out to your school communities! Your help is making a difference!
***Tiger Mountain High School Talking Points (see attached PDF)
We have been receiving questions about the future for students currently attending Tiger Mountain High school. We have attached a PDF to this email with talking points to help you answer questions: FAQs-TigerMtn_2016
***Here is info to share about registering to vote for the April 26th Election:
King County Special Election April 26 – Register to Vote or Update Your Address
The next special election takes place on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. If you are not registered to vote in King County or have recently moved into the Issaquah School District, you may register or update your address online, by mail, or in person by March 28 at the King County Elections office in Renton or voter registration annex in Seattle. Be an informed voter; visit the King County Elections Home Page for voter guides and additional information on how to register. The Issaquah School District Capital Bond Measure is on the ballot.
Honk & Wave/Lit Drop Sign Up Link:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084eabae2aa0f94-2016
 
This weeks’s Bond Facts (see below) – 
 
 ISD Construction Video to post:
 
Issaquah School District – Great Schools Great Communities!
PLUS 1 New Message Point & 1 JPG Image:
 
How will the 2016 Bond Impact Taxes? How does ISD keep your tax rate stable? The District has experienced rapid growth in the total assessed value of property due to continued new construction of housing and commercial properties as well as higher valuations for existing homes. Additionally, in order to support our goal of predictable taxes, the District has structured a decrease in its current long term tax collections allowing for the “new” taxes generated by the 2016 bond to not increase your tax rate.
tax_impact2
LINKS TO INFORMATION:
Link to VIS Webpage: http://www.visvote.org/