The Technology Levy 2020 is a six-year replacement technology levy in the amount of $35,000,000. Projected tax rates should stay at a similar level to the current rates. Maintaining a level total tax rate is always a consideration when proposing a replacement level. This levy is necessary to maintain the equipment the schools have, add to that equipment, software, and instruction; and to expand into the future.
UpKeep
In September 2014, the school year in which the previous levy began, just over 15,000 students were enrolled in Auburn School District. Today we serve just over 17,000, having grown 13% in just five years. A replacement technology levy will maintain the following activities in the amounts necessary to accommodate this increased enrollment and the addition of two elementary schools in the coming years:
Keeping Up
Increased levy revenue allows the Auburn School District to provide the following additional resources for staff and students:
Ensuring the Future
The focus of a capital levy is purchase of replacement and initial equipment and needed supports to effectively employ the resources. In getting to the recommended expenditures listed here, other interests arose. As technology integration proceeds in Auburn School District, the Committee urges the District to:
In September 2014, the school year in which the previous levy began, just over 15,000 students were enrolled in Auburn School District. Today we serve just over 17,000, having grown 13% in just five years. A replacement technology levy will maintain the following activities in the amounts necessary to accommodate this increased enrollment and the addition of two elementary schools in the coming years:
- Maintenance and upgrade of a wireless network throughout all schools
- Replacement and upgrade of technology infrastructure to support 10G connectivity within all schools and plan for recovery in case of disaster
- Maintenance of the 1:1 allocation of Chromebooks for teachers and grades 2 - 12 students, with a take-home program in secondary schools
- Mobile computer science labs for elementary schools
- Regular replacement (every five years) of computer lab spaces in all school libraries and special program areas including those of Career and Technical Education
- Replacement of certificated and office staff PCs every five years, with increased availability for classified instructional staff (para educators)
- Annual allocations to schools to purchase or replace needed peripheral devices
- Scheduled replacement of copy machines for all schools
- Installation of technology equipment in growth facilities
- Replacement and upgrade of security surveillance and IP phone for all facilities
- A professional-technical staff member to lead security surveillance implementation
Keeping Up
Increased levy revenue allows the Auburn School District to provide the following additional resources for staff and students:
- More specialized devices to meet the communication and learning needs of students with disabilities
- Modernization of all classrooms to upgrade projection systems to the standards of our new schools
- Special project funds to support innovation across schools to serve students in new and improved ways
- Annual professional development for teachers and support staff who work directly with students
- Additional Chromebooks to bring all K-1 classes to a 1:1 student to device ratio
- Small sets of Chromebooks to be used in preschool classrooms at stations to support targeted learning goals
- Additional technical support personnel to provide service and replace technology across buildings
- Additional instructional staff to support teachers and classified instructional staff as they learn to integrate technology in classrooms in support of subject-matter learning, computer science education, digital citizenship, media literacy, and the 21st century skills of communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and creativity
Ensuring the Future
The focus of a capital levy is purchase of replacement and initial equipment and needed supports to effectively employ the resources. In getting to the recommended expenditures listed here, other interests arose. As technology integration proceeds in Auburn School District, the Committee urges the District to:
- Ensure digital wellness is part of digital citizenship education for students, families, and educators, with particular attention to screen time.
- Ensure instruction reflects a balance of offline and online activities in the classroom, engaging technology where it most impacts learning.
- Assist educators in using electronic tools to communicate students’ progress in learning to families.
- Expand its K-12 computer science pathway.
- Support a culture of innovation, at the system level and for individual schools