Last Month the School Board passed resolutions to put two measures on next month’s ballot: a replacement maintenance & operations levy and a technology levy. Both are four-year levies. Here is a statement from School Superintendent Mark Wenzel.
By Dr. Mark Wenzel,
Superintendent, Anacortes School District
These two levies are very important in fulfilling the promise of our strategic plan: making sure our students get the best teaching and learning environment to thrive while in our school system – and to achieve their life goals when they graduate. The board and I have set a goal of being in the top 5 percent of districts in Washington state, based on student achievement, across the K-12 system. These levies help us get there.
The maintenance and operations levy is the same levy we’ve had for years (and the same levy that districts across the state ask local voters to support).
Here are key points:
- About $8 million per year (about $1.60 per $1,000 property valuation)
- Funds 26 percent of our budget, including: all-day kindergarten, curriculum, classroom teachers,professional development, arts, extra-curricular activities, transportation, utilities, and more
- Passed with 76% support in 2010
The technology levy is new to Anacortes, though many surrounding districts have passed them. The state allows school districts to propose technology levies as a dedicated revenue source because the state does not fully fund technology in schools.
Technology is an issue I’ve heard about from dozens of students, parents and community members since I arrived in July. The feedback is: “We need better technology at school for students to learn!” This proposal directly addresses that concern. Research shows that technology, when implemented well, leads to higher levels of student engagement and increased learning, particularly in reading and math.
A committee has been working on this issue for two years. They examined research, studied leading technology districts, and read case studies of effective and ineffective school technology initiatives.
Technology equipment is important, but it goes much deeper than that. Technology staffing – tech maintenance support and professional development – has been the difference in successful technology initiatives in other districts. We made sure these fundamentals were covered in putting together our proposal.
Here are key points
- About $1.6 million per year (about $.31 per $1,000 property valuation)
- Creates a completely wireless environment at schools (access to the Internet throughout schools)
- Classroom technology, phased in over four years, will put technology tools (tablets, laptops, etc) in students’ hands at a 1:1 ratio in grades 3-12 (1:2 ratio in grades K-2) between 2015-2018.
- Instructional technology facilitators (dedicated “tech teachers” who work with students and staff)
- Online safety and “digital citizenship” for students across grade levels
I’m very excited to champion this technology initiative because I believe it is the right thing to do to prepare our students for college and careers. Technology is a basic fact of life in 2013 – we need to make sure our schools use it to enhance the everyday learning environment. It also connects with our ongoing district focus on critical thinking, engagement, and student ownership of learning.
There will be more information on the website later this week, community presentations next month, and written information mailed to all homes next month before ballots arrive. If you have questions or would like to meet to discuss before then, please contact me. Exciting times ahead!