Frequently asked questions

Technically referred to as a Capital Project Levy for Technology, a Technology Levy is a locally approved source of funding dedicated to technology-related needs, such as student and staff computers, online curriculum, classroom materials, communication tools and security systems. We are currently one of the only comparable and neighboring districts without a voter-approved Technology Levy.

The School Board decided 6-0 to place the Technology Levy on the ballot based on a year of research and planning. There were multiple surveys, focus groups and discussions with students and staff, as well as a scientifically projectible random-sample phone survey of the community. 

Financial pressures also played a big role in the Board’s decision to put this request before voters. 

• Technology is currently paid for from our general operating budget, so a dedicated source of technology funding would free up money for other student and classroom needs.
• While we are grateful for the recent increase in state funding, it does not make up for nearly two decades of state funding that has not kept pace with inflation or increasing educational costs. 
• Critical state-mandated programs to support student needs cost the district millions more than it receives each year, putting additional pressure on the district’s general operating budget.
• We are one of the only neighboring and comparable districts without a voter-approved Technology Levy, limiting our ability to keep up with ever-evolving technology for our students and our staff.
• We have made $5 million in budget adjustments in the past two school years, and anticipate another $2 million in adjustments in the year ahead.  
• Our COVID-related expenses and revenue losses were nearly twice as high as the funding we received from the state and federal government to cover them, leaving us with a roughly $4 million COVID-related deficit.

Beginning in 2022, the school district would receive approximately $3.5 million per year for ten years to use on student and staff devices, school safety and security, classroom learning technology, technology support staff, network infrastructure and operational software. Specifically, it would mean:

• Student & Staff Devices:
  • All students and staff would have consistent access to high-quality instructional technology.
  • We would facilitate a four-year device replacement cycle to stay up-to-date with evolving technology.
• Classroom Learning:
  • Teachers would have access to instructional software and hardware, and digital curriculum and resources.
  • Teachers and students would have access to classroom audio/video equipment.
  • Student information systems and learning platforms would be maintained (Infinite Campus, Schoology, Seesaw).
  • Students will have access to tools/technology that will support and enhance personalized learning, allow for independent and collaborative work, and prepare them for real-world opportunities. 
  • We will work with staff to identify the devices they need to best serve classroom and other job functions. 
• Safety & Security: 
  • We would have funding to sustain and enhance school safety and security, and support our Crisis Management Plan, replace aging surveillance cameras, funding for a crisis management coordinator, additional radios for buildings, improved building access control and maintenance of our visitor management systems.
• Technology Support:
  • We would have adequate staffing to support student learning, as well as professional development for teachers to help them maximize technology use in the classroom.
• Network Infrastructure & Operational Software:
  • We would have sustainable funding to acquire and maintain critical technology infrastructure.

Without this funding, the costs of technology equipment and staff would continue to put pressure on the general operating budget, competing for dollars required for other classroom and school needs. We would be unable to keep up with technology updates for students, staff, classrooms and schools. The resulting cuts would impact our ability to provide personalized learning experiences and meet the commitments in our Strategic Plan. Specifically, it would mean:

• Student & Staff Devices:
  • We could not sustain district-issued devices for students in grades K-12. 
  • We would need to reduce student’s district-issued devices from grades K-12 to 9-12 only, beginning 2022-23. Only limited, shared devices would be available for grades K-8.
  • We would need to further reduce the amount of devices we have for staff district-wide.
  • Some aging Audio/Video classroom equipment, such as SmartBoards, would not be updated or replaced.
• Classroom Learning:
  • Students would not have access to updated devices to enhance personalized learning along with independent and collaborative work.  
  • We would need to postpone new curriculum adoption.
• Safety & Security: 
  • There would not be adequate funding to replace aging surveillance cameras, funding for a crisis management coordinator, additional radios, improved building access control, maintain our visitor management system and additional radios for buildings. 
• Technology Support:
  • Current technology staffing levels would remain static and unable to be a timely resource, reducing the ability to assist students and staff with training, troubleshooting, implementation and upkeep. 
  • There would be additional financial burden on the General Fund, resulting in continued budget cuts.
• Network Infrastructure & Operational Software:
  • Only mission-critical updates to network infrastructure would be completed.
  • We would need to postpone the acquisition of new operational software.

Yes, in late June 2021 the State Legislature passed an education funding bill that provided schools with a funding increase. While this increase is welcome news for schools across the state, it does not make up for nearly two decades of funding that did not keep pace with inflation or increasing costs.

One-time COVID relief funds are specifically designated for COVID-related expenses and do not solve our long-term technology needs.

Last year, schools were still responsible for educating students, hiring additional staff to provide distance learning opportunities for students, providing child care for essential workers, feeding students, and covering pandemic related costs such as additional cleaning and sanitizing of the buildings and equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for teachers, staff, and students when they were in the buildings. Technology access was also an additional expense and required both people power and a substantial amount of added equipment.

School funding is a three-legged stool of federal, state and local funding. State law enables school districts to go to their residents when they need additional funding for buildings, operations and capital projects such as technology and security. PLSAS residents last approved two school funding requests in 2017:

• Bonds to add space for our growing enrollment ($109.3M)
• An operating levy increase to fund staff and operations for our growing enrollment (increase of $250 per student)

Voter-approved bond projects enabled us to build new schools, renovate existing schools and maintain our buildings. In addition to the building bonds, the district used board-approved Long-Term Facilities Maintenance funding for much-needed building improvements. All projects were completed on time and on budget. Operating levy funds were used to fund staff and school operations.

Yes, public schools, including PLSAS, are audited annually to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements, internal and administrative controls and accuracy of financial reports used in calculating state and federal aid. Audits also provide a level of transparency and credibility for community members and validate sound financial practices. PLSAS has consistently earned clean audits from independent accounting firms that represent an accurate picture of the district’s finances. In addition, our district has earned the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting award from the Association of School Business Officials International for the past 11 years for exhibiting fiscal health, sound fiscal management and accountability. Read more, here or visit our Business Office page.