Vancouver School District previews technology levy renewal and proposed uses

Dr. Snow, superintendent, told the Vancouver School District Committee of the Whole that the district’s expiring technology levy is on the ballot as a renewal and that ballots are already going out.

The levy would continue funding classroom devices, network infrastructure, filtering and cybersecurity, classroom and curriculum subscriptions, digital safety systems such as updated cameras and controlled-entry locking systems and “possible weapons detection, devices and software,” Dr. Snow said. He also said the levy could fund capital projects such as roofs and HVAC where needed.

The superintendent said the district has adopted a resolution and has been communicating levy information; the levy is structured to keep a consistent tax rate over time, with the capital-levy portion expanding when existing bonds are paid down. He described the levy as intended to cover technology and longer-term capital needs that arise when the district does not have bonds in place.

A board member asked about yard signs for supporters; Dr. Snow said that would be handled through the citizens committee and encouraged interested people to contact that committee through social media or its channels.

The board received the report as a preview of items that will return for formal consideration at the Feb. 11 board meeting. There was no formal vote during the Committee of the Whole meeting.

The district provided no estimate in the meeting for the levy’s dollar amount, tax-rate impact or exact list of projects tied to particular funding bands. Those details have been part of the materials the board previously adopted in a November resolution and will be included in public materials the district is distributing to the community.