Staff report

GALLIPOLIS — Gallipolis City Schools presented the “Red Dot For Kids” bond issue campaign at the 2006 Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) Capital Conference last month in Columbus.

Superintendent Jack W. Payton, Board of Education President Dannie Greene, Director of Special Projects Lance Clifford, Director of Communications Jim Craft, District Technology Coordinator Michael Brace, and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Debbie Queen collaborated to make the multi-media powerpoint presentation entitled “We Want A Red Dot.”

The accompanying description of the presentation said, “Learn how a community that had not passed a school bond issue in 49 years went from a bond issue defeat with only 38 percent of the vote to leading the state of Ohio with 71 percent approval.”

The “Red Dot For Kids” presentation demonstrated how getting out the vote requires a unifying theme and an overwhelming community commitment.

Audience members learned how a “Red Dot” became the campaign battle cry for the most successful issue in Gallipolis City School District history, and one of the most successful campaigns in Ohio. The bond issue was approved in November 2005.

Payton addressed the audience during the powerpoint presention, which lasted 70 minutes and was followed by a question and answer session.

About 150 school board members and administrators attended the “We Want A Red Dot” presentation. The presentation included a 30-page full color handout, Red Dot buttons, and one of the Red Dot brochures that was used during the bond issue campaign. In addition, attendees received a copy of the Red Dot for Kids DVD and the handout on Frequently Asked Questions.

The presentation room was decorated with Red Dot signs, car magnets, window clings, fans and other Red Dot Campaign multi-media, as well as the Steed Hammond Paul architect’s rendition of the new Gallia Academy High School. The presentation included pictures and descriptions of local businesses and individuals who were supportive of and/or worked on the Red Dot for Kids Campaign.

The OSBA Capital Conference is one of the nation’s largest conventions for school board members and administrators. Over 10,000 people attended this year’s conference held on Nov. 12-15 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

“The success of the Capital Conference is due, to a great extent, to the many fine presentations offered each year,” stated Rob Delane, director of school board development.