By Tim Fry

Special to the Weekly

This week, Lopez Island residents will start receiving their ballots for the Special Election in February. On the ballot is a four-year technology modernization levy for Lopez Island School District. Flyers have started appearing around the island, and several members of the community have sent in letters to the editor in support of the levy. Below are answers to likely questions voters might have as they prepare to vote. For more information, the community is invited to an information session about the tech levy, which will be held at the Lopez Library at 6:00pm on Monday, January 25th.

How much money will the levy raise and what are the tax implications?

The Tech Levy totals $150,000 per year for four years. The implications for taxpayers come to $0.13/$1,000 assessed value, or $52 per year for a $400,000 parcel. That is $4.33 per month.

Why do we need this levy now?

Our technology at Lopez School is outdated and worn out. Our last levy was 9 years ago, and it was a one-shot levy for $150,000. The Netbooks purchased with 2007 levy funds have an 18-to-24-month life expectancy, and now many do not work. The last levy had no funds for their replacement, training or staffing, which is critical to ensure we put the technology to effective use. Our students need the technology skills required to succeed in college and the workforce.

How will the money be spent?

The proposed levy would fund the following investments:

Computers, devices and workstations that will provide students and teachers with 21st century tools in the classroom.

Professional development for our teachers so they have the skills to integrate computers into their classrooms, use them effectively and lead our students in the responsible and effective use of technology.

Software that can reach students more effectively with powerful concepts and new ideas.

Technical support to keep equipment running smoothly and to ensure the digital safety of students and staff by providing filtering and monitoring of the school network.

How does this compare to what other school districts spend on technology?

San Juan Island currently has a 4-year levy, spending $856 per student per year, and they are proposing an even larger levy for the next 4 years. In 2012 Orcas passed a $1000 per student per year levy, and they are also proposing a larger levy this year. The Lopez proposal is for $655 per student per year. The advisory committee looked at levels above and below the recommended amount. In the end, they balanced the financial wherewithal of the community with what is required to meet the school’s technology needs and catch up from years of underinvestment.

We already passed a capital bond, why do we need another levy?

The capital bond allows funding for cabling and equipment that is part of the school building itself (inside or attached to the walls).  The renovation project is completely upgrading the computer network within the building and adding classroom technology.   The devices, curriculum and training that can be provided with this tech levy will complement all this and allow teachers and students to make full use of these building technology improvements.

How does technology relate to the skills we need to teach students?

The National Education Association has established a “Framework for 21st Century Learning,” which identifies skills most important for K-12 education.  They are known as the “Four Cs” – Critical thinking, Creativity, Communication and Collaboration. Below is how technology relates to each of those skills.

Critical thinking: Kids need to learn how to think critically in the face of vast quantities of information. Levy funds will cover training to bring best practices.

Creativity: Whether it’s writing an essay or short story, creating a video, visual artwork, or music – computers enable powerful mediums for self-expression.

Communication: Communication modes are changing: PowerPoint, Skype, Instagram, Facebook, etc. We need technology and skills to accommodate and teach etiquette and responsible use guidelines for these new modes.

Collaboration: We must build expertise for – not just familiarity with – the communication technology that the world uses – from documents in the cloud to video meetings – enabling students to learn more from more people.

What is the school doing to ensure new technology improves student performance and does not distract from instructional time?

This levy will provide for both devices and training that will provide rules and guidelines for students, instruction for teachers and parents to model behavior, and an overall balanced approach to education that emphasizes fundamental skills that transcend technology.