Published: Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Levy will keep classroom technology up to date
New roofs also among planned improvements
Voter support means students and staff in the Edmonds School District will have updated technology; transportation and pedestrian safety improvements also will be completed.
The replacement technology and capital improvements levy was passing with 63 percent approval late last week following the Feb. 14 election. The levy requires a simple majority to pass.
The levy is estimated to cost 44 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value from 2013 through 2016. For the owner of a home assessed this year at $310,000, the cost is estimated at $136 per year.
District officials are grateful for the community’s support.
Even people who don’t have school-aged children understand the significance of schools, Superintendent Nick Brossoit said.
“This levy will allow the district to keep making positive progress,” Brossoit said in a district newsletter. “We express our sincere thanks to all in our community who are vital to our continued success.”
The majority of the levy funding provides technology to the classrooms. This funding isn’t provided by the state’s basic education funding formula and falls to local voters to pay for, said Cynthia Nelson, the district’s technology director.
“The overwhelming support from our community indicates that we are doing a good job and our community understands the importance of this levy,” Nelson wrote.
Today’s students are required to think critically and use information effectively, Nelson said. Using technology in classrooms serves a two-fold purpose: it engages students in the learning process and gives teachers a tool to help students grasp concepts.
New software and systems are constantly introduced, and using outdated equipment can hinder students’ and teachers’ abilities to access those programs, staff said.
“Use of technology is widespread in our society, so it is important that we have students become comfortable and knowledgeable in how to use it appropriately,” Nelson wrote.
Meanwhile, the levy also will pay for pedestrian and traffic safety improvements, while new roofs will ensure better climate control and air quality.
“The levy … allows us to better protect students, parents and community members with pedestrian and traffic safety improvements, and preserve facility assets with new roofs,” wrote Ed Peters, capital projects director.
Where the money goes
A breakdown of what the replacement levy funds:
• Technology tools for student learning (replacing outdated laptops and projectors) - $12,245,000
• Professional development and tech support - $4,080,000
• Tools for organizational support (replacing computers and paying for license fees) - $3,475,000
• Infrastructure upgrades (modernize servers and upgrade wireless systems) - $2,200,000
• Safety and emergency preparedness (modernize school pedestrian and traffic safety) - $1,800,000
• System upgrades and asset protection, includes roofing projects - $7,700,000
TOTAL: $31,500,000
Source: Edmonds School District
The replacement technology and capital improvements levy was passing with 63 percent approval late last week following the Feb. 14 election. The levy requires a simple majority to pass.
The levy is estimated to cost 44 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value from 2013 through 2016. For the owner of a home assessed this year at $310,000, the cost is estimated at $136 per year.
District officials are grateful for the community’s support.
Even people who don’t have school-aged children understand the significance of schools, Superintendent Nick Brossoit said.
“This levy will allow the district to keep making positive progress,” Brossoit said in a district newsletter. “We express our sincere thanks to all in our community who are vital to our continued success.”
The majority of the levy funding provides technology to the classrooms. This funding isn’t provided by the state’s basic education funding formula and falls to local voters to pay for, said Cynthia Nelson, the district’s technology director.
“The overwhelming support from our community indicates that we are doing a good job and our community understands the importance of this levy,” Nelson wrote.
Today’s students are required to think critically and use information effectively, Nelson said. Using technology in classrooms serves a two-fold purpose: it engages students in the learning process and gives teachers a tool to help students grasp concepts.
New software and systems are constantly introduced, and using outdated equipment can hinder students’ and teachers’ abilities to access those programs, staff said.
“Use of technology is widespread in our society, so it is important that we have students become comfortable and knowledgeable in how to use it appropriately,” Nelson wrote.
Meanwhile, the levy also will pay for pedestrian and traffic safety improvements, while new roofs will ensure better climate control and air quality.
“The levy … allows us to better protect students, parents and community members with pedestrian and traffic safety improvements, and preserve facility assets with new roofs,” wrote Ed Peters, capital projects director.
Where the money goes
A breakdown of what the replacement levy funds:
• Technology tools for student learning (replacing outdated laptops and projectors) - $12,245,000
• Professional development and tech support - $4,080,000
• Tools for organizational support (replacing computers and paying for license fees) - $3,475,000
• Infrastructure upgrades (modernize servers and upgrade wireless systems) - $2,200,000
• Safety and emergency preparedness (modernize school pedestrian and traffic safety) - $1,800,000
• System upgrades and asset protection, includes roofing projects - $7,700,000
TOTAL: $31,500,000
Source: Edmonds School District