Highline Public Schools asking voters to consider Prop. 1, a technology levy in November election

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Now, more than ever, our students and staff need technology and internet access to learn and teach.

That’s why Highline Public Schools is asking our community to consider Proposition 1, a two-year, $32.5 million technology levy in the November 3 election. The emergency shift to distance learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for a technology levy that addresses equity and access for our students.

Technology can help every student – no matter their neighborhood or family income – achieve success in school. The levy ensures our students and staff have the tools and training they need to be successful in this digital world by funding computers, internet connections, data security, and support and training for students and staff. While we are grateful for recent public and private funding for broadband access for our students, this service will not extend beyond this school year and will not reach our nearly 1,000 students without stable housing. The levy will fund a cost-effective internet network reaching students throughout our district.

Regardless of the pandemic, upgrading our district’s technology and digital literacy programs will ensure students are ready for their next step, whether that’s college, technical certification, or the workforce. The levy will support educators as they teach digital and media literacy skills students will use for a lifetime. It will help teachers customize learning for individual students using digital tools.

If approved, the levy will not increase the local property tax rate, due to expiring school bonds. The tax rate will be 12 cents lower than what our community is currently paying. For property owners, the levy will cost 67 cents per $1,000 in 2021 and 2022.

Would you like to learn more about Proposition 1, the Highline technology levy? Go to highlineschools.org/techlevy. Ballots should be arriving around October 13 and need to be mailed in or dropped off at a ballot box by November 3.

VIDEO
Mount Rainier High School’s Bontu Balda, class of 2020, tells her story (and our story) about why we are running Prop. 1 – a technology levy – in the November election:

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