By Florine Gingerich
Ballots have been mailed for the Edmonds School District Replacement Technology Capital Levy. Election Day, and the last day to send back your voted ballot, is Feb. 14.
The replacement levy, which will be in effect for four years if approved, is in the same amount as the existing technology and capital levy expiring this year. The projected rate per thousand dollars of property value is 44 cents, the same rate currently being collected. The replacement levy would provide an average of $7.85 million per year over the next four years, 2013 through 2016.
The capital portion of the levy would be used for priority roofing projects. In addition, the funds would pay for changes to pedestrian and traffic patterns at some schools to improve safety as students are dropped off and picked up.
Technology funds are needed to replace student and teacher computers, projectors and document presenters as the equipment ages. This funding would also provide professional development and IT support, replace aging office staff computers and pay annual license fees for systems like Skyward and SchoolWires. Finally, the money would be used to modernize servers and upgrade wireless systems.
Asked to comment about the levy election, Superintendent Nick Brossoit first expressed great appreciation for past levy support, which has enabled the district to improve student learning using modern technology. The replacement levy, if approved, will support continuation of those efforts as well as needed school safety improvements, he said. He encouraged voters to take a careful look at the proposal.
More information about the levy can be found at the district’s website.
My Edmonds New schools contributor Florine Gingerich has a son who attended Edmonds public schools, where she volunteered in roles ranging from pouring juice in kindergarten at Madrona K-8 to serving as president of the Edmonds-Woodway Music Boosters. With her husband, Doug Purcell, she practices law at Purcell & Adams, PLLC, a South County firm emphasizing business law, real estate and estate planning. Visit them at purcelladams.com, or contact her at fgingerich@purcelladams.com.
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