A model for analysis of adoption and public participation in lease-purchase decisions

In order to meet the demand for school facilities, districts have increasingly turned to lease-purchase funding procedures in lieu of traditional bond referendum elections. Since lease purchase requires no public vote, conflict can arise at the district level during deliberations on whether to utilize referendum or lease purchase and after the lease purchase decision has been made.;The study model was developed using election history and conflict management resources as indicators of community conflict and the district's ability to process community demands prior to lease purchase consideration and approval. The investigation further incorporates the Pallozzi model which was developed using the elements of community diversity and school board council style. Research questions focused on the potentially negative relationship between lease purchase approval and election history, the potentially positive relationship between conflict management resources and lease purchase approval and the congruence between board type, community type and public participation in relation to compliance with the lease purchase decision.;Methodology included Superintendent survey to determine lease purchase consideration and election history. Superintendent interviews were conducted to determine conflict history and conflict management resources. Four districts, ranked according to the variables under question were utilized for case study. In each district school board type was determined via Witmer's School Board Opinion Questionnaire and Community Type via Bullocks School Community Analysis. Follow-up interviews with school administrators, review of board minutes and review of newspaper accounts were utilized to determine community conflict and public participation in decision making.;Within the limitations of this study, there appeared to be a positive relationship between election history, lease purchase utilization and conflict management resources. In relation to public participation in the lease purchase decision, the present study supports the findings in Pallozzi's original study. In those districts where board type and community type were not seen to be congruent with the decision making process, conflict was evident. A revised model was developed utilizing additional factors for consideration of lease purchase and project completion as contributing to potential conflict.