Messaging That Matters: How the MSD of Wabash County Rebuilt Community Trust

When the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County (MSDWC) proposed a $115 million referendum to build a new high school and renovate existing facilities, the response was overwhelmingly negative: 78% of voters rejected it.

For many districts, such a decisive “no” could signal a breakdown in public trust. But for MSDWC, it became a turning point for a new approach to community engagement.

Rather than defending past decisions or pushing harder for funding, Laura Langebartels, MSDWC’s Director of Communication and Community Engagement, shifted the district’s strategy.

She focused on telling a new story — one that reminded the community why MSDWC mattered and why investing in local schools benefited everyone.

Join us on March 26, 2025, for a panel-style webinar with Langebartels, where she’ll share the story of how MSDWC successfully re-engaged their community and even increased enrollment through strategic storytelling.

How Do You Rebuild Trust After Community Backlash?

The referendum’s failure revealed a deep disconnect between the MSDWC and their community:

• An aging population with fewer school-aged children, which meant community members had less personal investment in the district
• Frustration over school consolidations, as many residents felt emotionally attached to the schools that had closed
• Skepticism about district spending; some questioned whether a new high school was necessary
• Resistance to higher taxes, especially with misleading ballot language that exaggerated the tax impact on residents

Langebartels knew winning back public trust wouldn’t happen overnight, but she also knew that shaping the right narrative could bring the community back on board.

What Your District Can Learn from MSDWC’s Success

Sign up for SchoolMint’s upcoming webinar, where we’ll sit down with Langebartels to explore how MSDWC navigated post-referendum backlash, reshaped the district’s messaging, and used a unique approach to storytelling to win back community support.

• When: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
• Time: 11:00–11:45 AM (ET)

Join us to learn:

• How to shape the conversation around your schools and engage your community more effectively
• How to use storytelling to build emotional connections and showcase district successes
• Best practices for maintaining transparency and trust—even after tough decisions

Don’t miss this chance to learn proven strategies for rebuilding trust and re-engaging your community from a district communications expert. Register now to save your spot!