Technology Levy: Frequently Asked Questions
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Have a Question for the May 20, 2008 Tech Levy? Fill in your information and question below to receive a personal reply.
Q:Why is Port Angeles School District asking for a technology levy?
A:A technology levy gives each child a chance to use computers for problem-solving, decision making, communication, and research based learning, skills needed for college and employment. Our increasingly complex world requires more technology in learning. Skilled teachers using technology can develop students' problem solving skills essential for their successful future.
Q:Why does the Port Angeles School District need a technology levy?
A:Schools need funding to provide and maintain a basic level of student access to technology. The state legislature does not regularly fund technology for schools. The district has tried to keep up with the increasing need for technology using scarce resources from the district’s general fund, and by cobbling together occasional funding from grants, but these sources are not adequate to maintain basic technology resources. As a result, district computers and infrastructure are wearing out, and in many cases failing, as equipment reaches end of useful life.
Q:How bad is the situation?
A:The district has computers still in service that are fourteen years old. During a recent routine upgrade of Microsoft Windows® operating software, technicians identified sixty computers district-wide that needed to have hard drive memory replaced because the original hard drives had inadequate capacity to accept the upgrade. As old computers die, technicians harvest parts to try to keep other machines running because there are no funds to replace them. As the inventory of machines shrinks in number, teachers find it more difficult to provide the access students need. Our teachers want to keep up with new uses of technology in the classroom, but without adequate funding, they become discouraged, and our schools fall behind.
Q:How would technology levy dollars be used?
A:The largest portion of levy dollars will be used to create a regular cycle of replacement of computers in schools, beginning with the oldest machines. Thirty-three percent of the computers will be replaced each year for the first three years of the levy. Smaller portions of levy dollars will be used to repair and replace the network infrastructure that connects computers and provides security when students access the Internet; provide training for teachers and staff to ensure effective use of technology; and fund technology needs for math and science, art and music, career and technical education, and libraries.
Q:How many computers are needed?
A: Presently, the district has approximately 2,000 total computer workstations, including all types and uses of computers. These computer workstations are in classrooms, libraries, the skills center, and in lab spaces in the schools. The board’s goal is to have at least one technically current student workstation for every four students. The student-to-workstation ratio across the Port Angeles School District is greater than 5 to 1. Many of the student workstations are obsolete, and many more are rapidly reaching obsolescence. Many teachers would make powerful use of more student workstations as well as up-to-date student workstations in their classrooms. Adequate quantities and serviceability of student computers will allow teachers to better integrate technology into students’ curricula and daily work.
Q:What about training?
A: Today the district does not have adequate funding to provide teachers competitive levels of instructional technology training. Training for teachers is needed no matter what level of technology funding is sought. Teachers need not only the appropriate equipment but also the appropriate training to teach the students what they will need to be successful and to compete in a technology-rich, global economy. Para-educators, technology staff, and instructional leaders also need training to support integration of modern technology into instruction every day.
Q:What’s in it for me?
A:For the citizens of Port Angeles, supporting a technology levy represents an investment in the improvement of the community. The economic health of Port Angeles is tied to the quality of the schools. Today’s students are preparing for success in a world where technology skills are a basic expectation for every job.
Local business leaders expect Port Angeles’ schools to prepare graduates with the technology skills and problem-solving ability to be productive employees and citizens. Research on the effective use of technology in the classroom indicates that, in addition to developing technology skills, students develop higher-level thinking and collaborative teamwork skills when they have access to technology in school.
For parents, a successful technology levy will ensure that all students at all levels and abilities have access to the tools and instruction they need to be successful in an increasingly technology dependant world. Levy funds further ensure parents have continued access to on-line access to teachers and information about student performance through e-mail, school web sites, and the new Family Access interface.
Q:I never used a computer in school and I turned out all right! Why should I support a technology levy for students now?
A:Just think! There's a lot of changes in technology necessary to tune up a car, diagnose and treat cancer, and even run a sawmill. It's the same for writing a quality paper, or completing a business education project. Technology skills may enable graduates to live and work here in productive careers, particularly because of the way technology connects all of us and shrinks usual boundaries. The major reason for a technology levy is so that Port Angeles students will be equipped to live, work and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Q:Why can't we just stick to the basics, the three Rs?
A:The basics for our students now include the Internet and other technologies. Our state funding isn't keeping up with technology. Many students need access to computers to do a majority of their reading, writing and math. The technology levy is to help ensure our students can learn as well as students in other districts, and to help ensure teachers have the right tools to teach them.
Q:Isn't there any Gates Grant money left for purchase of technology resources?
A:The Gates Grant was given by the foundation for reinvention, which means primarily teacher training. All of the money has been received, and has been spent.
Q:Can't you run the school district on what the state provides?
A:No. In fact, many educational programs are funded entirely by local maintenance and operations levy money. Almost all maintenance costs, a portion of the cost of school busing, all extracurricular activities, most of the cost of teacher training, and nearly one-third of the cost of special education comes from the maintenance and operations levy.
Q:Can't you just pay for technology with the maintenance and operations levy?
A:No. The maintenance and operations levy size is limited by law. It supports, for example, basic education, special education, busing, athletics, arts, class size reduction, books and materials, school maintenance and school safety. The technology levy can only pay for technology.
Q:What are the election requirements?
A:Washington State law provides that a simple majority of voters (50% + 1) can authorize local school district levies. The passage of EHJR 4204 in November 2007 amended the Washington State Constitution and provided for a simple majority win rather than a 60% supermajority. The amendment also removed the 40% election validation requirement for levy elections.
Q:Where do I vote?
A:In May 2005, Clallam County commissioners moved to eliminate poll voting and switch to an all vote-by-mail system for all elections. A ballot for the Port Angeles School District May 20, 2008 technology levy election will be mailed to the homes of registered voters.
Q:How much will it cost me as a taxpayer?
A:In 2009 the cost to the owner of a home of average value in the Port Angeles School District is projected to be about $99 per year. That is based on an initial tax rate of $.46 per one thousand dollars of assessed value. The 2009 projected median home value of $215,222 is based on calculations of the average rate of change in total assessed value in the Port Angeles School District over fourteen years. As the table below shows, the committee’s recommendation has carefully timed levies and bonds to keep the combined rates at or below historical levels.
Projected Combined Tax Rate for all District Fund Sources |
|||||||||
Actual |
Actual |
Actual |
Actual |
Actual |
Projected |
Projected |
Projected |
Projected |
|
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
M & O Levy |
$2.85 |
$2.73 |
$2.76 |
$2.24 |
$2.25 |
$2.15 |
$1.93 |
$1.78 |
$1.78 |
Bond |
$0.84 |
$0.78 |
$0.69 |
$0.43 |
$0.38 |
$0.36 |
$0.33 |
$0.31 |
$0.29 |
Tech Levy |
$0.46 |
$0.44 |
$0.41 |
$0.39 |
|||||
Total Rate |
$3.69 |
$3.51 |
$3.45 |
$2.67 |
$2.63 |
$2.97 |
$2.70 |
$2.50 |
$2.46 |
Q:Did the Community Technology Advisory Committee research any specifics about the kinds of equipment, software, and other things students need to be technology-literate?
A:Yes! Committee members, teachers, and community technology experts helped analyze the current three-year plan, career and technical education committee program priorities, department priorities, and technology used in schools with whom our students compete for college entrance and employment opportunities.
Q:Will my taxes go up if the technology levy passes?
A:Probably. This a special levy for technology for students and teachers. It is in addition to the existing maintenance and oeprations levy. You may view Parcel/Tax Search on the Clallam County website to complete a data search for your personal property.
Q:Am I tax exempt?
A:An exemption is available for qualifying seniors and low-income homeowners. Those interested should contact the County Assessor’s office by phone at 360.417.2000 or email: assessor@co.clallam.wa.us.
Updated 3/7/08.
Levy questions, comments and suggestions may be sent via email to: levy@portangelesschools.org, or by U.S. Mail to: Superintendent, Port Angeles School District, 216 East Fourth Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
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