WestMECBonds18,000votecomeback

 WestMECisauniquepublicschooldistrictofferingcareerandtechnical
educationtrainingtohighschoolstudents.Thedistrictspansa largeand
veryconservativeswathofMaricopaCountywithmorethan400,000
likelyvotersofwhich46%areRepublicanand27%arealsoovertheage
of65.
2

 ServingtheWestValleyandNortheastValleyofMaricopaCounty, West
MECspansover4,300squaremilesofferingcareerandtechnical
educationprogramsin46highschoolsaswellasatfiveregional
campuses.
3

StrategicChallenge
WestMECproposeda$141
millionbondtoconstructnew
campusesandexpandits
programsontheNovember
2016ballot.
Despitethedistrictbeingin
existenceforalmost10years,
awarenessofthedistrict
remainslow.
Duetothelargeareacoveredbythedistrict,theannualcosttothe
averagehomeownerwasonly$6.06PERYEAR.
However,wefacedasignificantantitaxmovement particularlyinareas
whichwereconsideringotherbondsandtaxissues.
4

Goal
ThegoaloftheYesforWestMEC
campaignwastoremindvoters
(particularlyRepublicans)the
importanceofjobtrainingtoavoid
itgettingsweptupinthenegativity
ofthePresidentialelectioncycle.
Insuchalargedistrict,ourbiggest
challengewasfindingawayto
communicatewithlikelyvoterswithanincrediblysmallbudgetoflessthan
$150,000.
Intheend,wefocusedonstabilizingourlikelyyesvoteandinoculating
againstthetideofnegativitybyremindingvotersthekeytenetsof
vocationaleducation.
5

CommunitySupport
Bondendorsedbyregionalmayorsandofficials:

MaricopaCountyBoardofSupervisorClintHickman
PhoenixMayorGregStanton
GoodyearMayorGeorgiaLord
PeoriaMayorCathyCarlat
SurpriseMayorSharonWolcott
BuckeyeMayorJackieMeck
AvondaleMayorKennWeise
LitchfieldParkMayorThomasSchoaf
ElMirageMayorLanaMook
YoungtownMayorMichaelLeVault
6

PublicityPamphlet
Informationalpamphletrequired
bystatutesenttoevery
registeredvoter
23statementsvoluntarily
submittedinfavor
Zerostatementsvoluntarily
submittedinopposition
Read:VoterInformation
Pamphlet
7

DirectMail

Website www.YesforWestmec.com
Websitewithcost
calculatortoallow
voterstodetermine
directcostofthe
Bond.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.c
om/YesForWestMec/

Signs
Over500signsplacedthroughoutthedistrict.

10

MediaSupport
BusinessJournal:WhyWest
MECneedsvoterstoapprovea
$141Mbondoffering
MyTurn:YesonWestMEC
bondimprovesworkforce,
supportsstudents
OpEd:GiveWestMECbond
yesvote
Release:Tenelectedofficials
encourageyesvoteonsingle
issue

11

Advertising
Insteadofusing
traditionalnewspaper
advertising,webought
stickynotesabovethe
foldofallofthefree,
localnewspaperthat
aretypicallythrownon
peoplesdrivewaysto
coincidewiththelaunch
ofoursigns,early
voting,andelectionday.
Sincethelocalpapers
onlyallowonesticky
noteperissue,wewere
abletodominatethe
frontpageonimportant
dates.

12

InitialBallotResults
Initialearlyvoting
resultsshowedthe
bondfailingby
over8,000votes.
However,asElection
Dayvotesandlate
ballotreturnsposted,
thegapbegantoclose.
News:Propositionsandbondsfail
13

DramaticComeback
Whileotherbondsandtaxesthroughoutthedistrictfailed
andTrumpwonbyover5points,WestMECbondmadea
dramaticcomebacktowin aswingofover18,000votes:
275,105
264,502

50.98%Yes
49.02% No

SurpriseBondFailed 50.47%No
PeoriaSalesTaxFailed 55.57%No
PeoriaUnifiedSchoolBondFailed 57.23%No
14

2016 West MEC Mailer 3_Layout 1 10/11/16 3:49 PM Page 1

Support Career and Technical Education

A

ttending college
after high school is
not for every student. We
must create and support
an education system with
multiple opportunities for
career training, as well
as education after high
school graduation. High
school students should
have a chance to learn
the skills they need to
succeed in a career and
obtain industry certification. West-MEC offers
career and technical
education programs in
the 46 high schools within
the member districts and
at regional campuses.
Voting Yes on the WestMEC bond will improve
access to career and
technical education for
all of high school
students.

www.YesforWestmec.com
PAID FOR BY YES FOR WEST-MEC - PRIMARY FUNDING PROVIDED BY MCCARTHY CONSTRUCTION

2016 West MEC Mailer 3_Layout 1 10/11/16 3:49 PM Page 2

JOIN US in Supporting the West-MEC Bond

Support Our
Quality of Life
It is important to
recognize that a
strong economy
requires a trained
workforce and we are excited for
West-MECs 19-acre technical
education center in Surprise
opening next August. West-MEC
offers career and technical
education for 24,000 students
enrolled at career-education facilities and on the campuses of 46
high schools in twelve school
districts throughout the region.
West-MEC is the nexus of jobs
and education that will build our
quality of life.
- Mayor Sharon Wolcott

Attract
New Jobs
I am focused on
attracting new
business and jobs
to Peoria and maintaining Peorias quality of life.
Ensuring that there are quality
educational opportunities for all
students will help us reach these
goals. Over the next few years,
West-MEC is expected to more
than double in its student population and grow from 21 central
programs to 40 central programs.
I am dedicated to supporting job
creation and quality education
because they go hand in hand
and voting yes on the West-MEC
bond is an opportunity to do
both.
- Mayor Cathy Carlat

Keeping
Promises
By voting YES on
the West-MEC
bond, you can be
sure funding will be
spent as promised. With the
opening of the Southwest WestMEC Campus this fall, there is a
proven track record of accountability. Passing the West-MEC
bond will set us up for future
economic growth. It will prepare
our high school graduates with
the skills they need to be hired by
local companies.
- Mayor Jackie Meck

Performance
Proven
at a Minimal Cost
Students enrolled
in West-MEC
courses do better
on tests, have a lower dropout
rate, and make more money
when they graduate than those
who did not take the courses. It
will cost a household just a little
over $6 dollars PER YEAR (based
on a home value of $100,000).
That is less than 50 cents a month
to support a school system that
will train our future workforce.
- Mayor Michael LeVault

2016 West MEC Mailer 2E_Layout 1 10/11/16 3:45 PM Page 1

Build A

Skilled and Trained Workforce

Learn more at www.YesforWestmec.com

PAID FOR BY YES FOR WEST-MEC - PRIMARY FUNDING PROVIDED BY MCCARTHY CONSTRUCTION

s a fourth generation Arizonan and long-time

family business owner, I know first hand the
importance of having a skilled and trained workforce. Whether it is growing modern farming operations or embracing future technology, career and
technical education plays a key component in
creating students that companies will want to hire.

Career and technical education is critical for the

future of the Valley. If we want to continue to grow
our economy, we need multiple pathways to education to build a strong workforce. West-MEC is the
kind of organization that we should be investing in
to further the careers of our communitys students.
Join me in voting YES on the West-MEC bond.
- Supervisor Clint Hickman

2016 West MEC Mailer 2E_Layout 1 10/11/16 3:45 PM Page 2

JOIN US in Supporting the West-MEC Bond

Help Us
Compete
To compete internationally, we must
support an education system with
multiple paths from high school
to post-secondary education or
career training. Every student
deserves the chance to learn
career skills or obtain industry
certification. West-MEC and its
12-member school districts are
leading the charge with career
and technical education offering
work oriented classes to highschool students.
- Mayor Greg Stanton

Invest in Our
Future
Career and technical education is
one of the best
investments we can
make in education helping us
attract jobs and build a workforce for companies to hire. WestMEC plays a key role in our
regional job creation. It serves
more than 24,000 students, and
has lowered the drop-out rate and
positively impacted academic
gains. Career and technical
education, like apprenticeships of
the past, can help all students.
- Mayor Georgia Lord

Protect Our
Education
Opportunities
As the first Kids at
Hope city in the
nation, Avondale
has seen the impact that dedicated teachers have on our kids.
As Mayor, it is important to me
that we protect these education
opportunities now and into the
future. Quality schools are is a
key part of our quality of life and
West-MEC plays a critical role.
West-MEC is a unique public
school district that focuses on
hands-on learning, leadership
development training and
industry certification to help
prepare todays students for
tomorrows careers.
- Mayor Kenn Weise

Support Our
Students
Students who
enroll in West-MEC
have higher graduation rates and
increased success post-graduation. The West-MEC bond will
expand their high-tech learning
facilities which are outfitted with
innovative tools and equipment
to prepare students with the experience they need for highdemand, high-skill, and
high-wage careers. Students get
real-world experience and a head
start in training for a wide variety
of career options.
- Mayor Lana Mook

2016 West MEC Mailer 1 _Layout 1 9/30/16 10:34 AM Page 1

Vote Yes for JOBS Support the West-MEC bond

Support Career and Technical Education

ow, more than ever

our students need
options for post-secondary
education and job
training. A Yes vote for
the West-MEC bond will
help expand career and
technical education
opportunities throughout
the region and help give
our students the skills
they need to get a job to
compete in the global
market place.
4 Build a trained and
skilled workforce.

4 Provide students with

post-secondary education and job training.

4 High quality education

programs are critical to
attracting businesses.

PAID FOR BY YES FOR WEST-MEC - PRIMARY FUNDING PROVIDED BY MCCARTHY CONSTRUCTION

2016 West MEC Mailer 1 _Layout 1 9/30/16 10:34 AM Page 2

Vote

YES to Support Career and Technical Education

What is West-MEC?
West-MEC (Western Maricopa Education Center) is
a unique public school district that focuses on
hands-on learning, leadership development
training and industry certification to help prepare
todays students for tomorrows careers.

Since 2003, West-MEC has grown significantly,

providing career and technical education (CTE)
across the West Valley. CTE programs combine
academic and career skill development and
provide students with college credits, internship
opportunities and industry certifications. West-MEC
offers career and technical
education programs in the
46 high schools within the
member districts, as well
as at regional campuses.

About the
West-MEC bond
The $141.0 million bond
will construct, renovate,
and equip new and
current career and technical education facilities;
purchase land for additional school sites; and
fund related site costs.

100% of the funding from the bond will be used

for student programs. The cost is small - only $6.06
on a home value assessed at $100,000.Voters can
calculate the amount they will pay at
www.YesforWestMec.com.

West-MEC Member Districts include:

Agua Fria Union
Buckeye Union
Cartwright Elementary
Deer Valley Unified
Dysart Unified
Glendale Union
Paradise Valley Unified
Pendergast Elementary
Peoria Unified
Saddle Mountain Unified
Tolleson Union
Wickenburg Unified

Learn more at www.YesforWestmec.com