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

When the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County (MSDWC) in rural Indiana proposed a $115 million referendum to consolidate schools, build a new high school, and upgrade existing facilities, 78% of voters said no.

For many districts, a loss that public and decisive could easily mark the beginning of a long recovery. But for MSDWC, it marked the beginning of something else: a reimagined strategy for community engagement, driven by empathy, transparency, and powerful storytelling.

In this 45-minute on-demand webinar, MSDWC’s Director of Communication and Community Engagement, Laura Langebartels, shares how she helped shift public perception (and even increased enrollment) in the aftermath of a highly contentious referendum.

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

Register to get the recording and learn:

• How a printed community magazine turned into a powerful PR tool
• Creative tactics to reach people who don’t have kids in your schools
• Ways to bring visibility to your schools' successes without sounding like a sales pitch
• Why investing in emotional storytelling pays off in stronger enrollment and community support

You’ll also hear how Laura’s participation in SchoolMint’s enrollment training helped her sharpen her messaging and advocate more effectively for her schools. Sign up below!