Continuing Our Investment in Technology for MAS Students

Investments in some classroom-related items, like furniture, can last for many years or decades. The digital world moves much faster than that. Technology is an ever-present and ever-changing part of our world, and it requires more frequent upgrading in order to be effective.

At the same time, inflation is driving the cost of technology upwards. Chromebooks that once cost $250 each are now $375 each. To continue upgrading the technology tools we currently provide to our MAS students — and to fund new technology to help students succeed — a large amount of funding is needed.

The cost to each member of our community would be relatively small. If the tech levy is renewed and increased, a family living in a $200,000 home would pay $32 per year in taxes towards the levy, which would make a hugely impactful contribution toward our children and their future.

If the tech levy isn’t renewed, MAS will run out of funds from the current tech levy by 2025. Without tech-specific funds available to update and maintain technology throughout MAS, the district would have to pull from general funds usually reserved to pay for teachers, transportation, classroom supplies and other resources. This could result in substantial cuts to these resources and technology across the district over the next decade. It could also result in families being financially responsible for the costs of their children’s learning devices, which have increased due to inflation. It would also result in families being financially responsible for the costs of their children’s learning devices, which have increased due to inflation.

The 2014 tech levy helped fund these technology solutions and resources for MAS:

Software

• Annual renewals and fees associated with online applications, subscriptions, and software licenses
  • School Messenger family and staff notification system for 2-hour late starts, weather and other alerts
  • Security camera and security door software updates
  • Mitel Phone system for phones and voicemail in every classroom
  • SMART Notebook software to support SMART Board updates
  • LightSpeed MDM, a mobile device management system for managing iPads
  • Linewize Web Filter for Children’s Internet Protection Act compliance
  • Microsoft Licensing for usage of Microsoft servers, operating systems, and Microsoft Office for student labs and staff
  • ManageEngine ServiceDesk ticketing software for tracking and assigning issues submitted by staff
  • HP Aruba Airwave support for wireless access points
  • HP Aruba hardware support for virtual server hardware
  • Veeam backup solution for file storage and server disaster recovery if needed
  • VMWare virtual software to maintain virtual servers instead of physical servers
  • Adobe Create Cloud products for office staff, teachers and student labs
  • Fortinet Firewall annual support for firewall
  • Google Workspace licensing for support and access to Google's Workspace (Gmail, Meet, etc.)
• Implementation, licensing, maintenance, and training of the District’s learning management system Schoology, as well as Google Classroom, Zoom, and other tools for distance learning
• Sustaining the District’s prior investment in instructional presentation systems for the classroom, including audio and presentation tools
• Modernization of the time clock software system, including migration of the service to the Frontline
• Planned: Standardization and expansion of the assistive technologies and adaptive tools used by students to assist with their individual learning needs, particularly those with special needs

Devices & Other Technology Hardware

• Expansion and update of student computing devices in the classroom and for home use by students
• Support for classrooms with Smart TV systems that would better allow teachers and students in classrooms to connect with students who are learning remotely
• Upgrade for the point-of-sale system used by Food & Nutrition Services, as well as modernization of the associated hardware used for the system
• Implementation of 911 emergency response system throughout each MAS wing and in most classrooms
• Network infrastructure replacement, including firewall and wireless access points at elementary school
• Cables, UPS batteries, projector lamps, and other technology accessories
• Planned: Funding to purchase both the expansion and refresh of staff computing devices

Professional Development & Staffing

• Staff professional development related to new classroom technologies, particularly the shift to distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Central office staffing associated with supporting technology projects

There will be two questions regarding the tech levy on the ballot — one about renewal and one about increase. Please vote on both questions when you cast your ballot.

If Question 1 (renewal) passes alone, the tech levy would continue to provide MAS with $350,000 annually over the next 10 years. If Question 2 (increase) is passed along with Question 1, this would provide an additional $500,000 to MAS annually over the next 10 years.

School District Question 1

Renewal of Capital Project Levy Authorization for Technology

Shall the capital project levy authorization proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 2149 be approved?

YES or NO

School District Question 2

Approval of Capital Project Levy Authorization for Technology

If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the capital project levy authorization proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 2149 be approved?

YES or NO

If the levy is only renewed and not increased, taxes will not increase. If both ballot questions pass and the tech levy is renewed and increased, a family living in a $200,000 home would pay $32 per year in taxes towards the levy.

Ag property owners will be taxed per acre of property if the tech levy is renewed and increased. For example, Question 1 approval results in a renewal and will not increase property taxes for ag property owners. Question 2 approval results in an increase, and ag property owners whose homestead property is valued at $2,000 per acre will pay $0.14 per acre per year in new taxes.

Owners of homestead property may qualify for a refund through the Homestead Credit Refund (“Circuit Breaker”) program. This would decrease the net tax impact for these property owners.

Please note that the information here reflects the current tax assessment status, which differs from previous assessments during the last vote on the tech levy. You are encouraged to obtain your own tax advice regarding your individual situation. For additional information on taxes, please email MASvote@isd2149.org.