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District 196 reviews capital projects and proposes tech-levy renewal ahead of November vote
Summary
At the June 9 meeting District 196 staff reviewed bond construction progress, safety and security upgrades, and discussed a planned renewal — and possible modest increase — of the district’s technology capital levy ahead of a November election.
District 196 staff on June 9 updated the school board on bond-funded construction and the upcoming capital projects (technology) levy renewal, describing completed work and projects in active construction and recommending the board begin the process toward a November renewal vote for the tech levy.
Christopher Young Rovshad, director of finance and operations, said the capital projects (commonly called the tech levy) was first passed in 2015 with an original goal of $50 million over 10 years; the district has collected about $60 million to date as the local tax base grew. The levy supports approximately 30,000 student devices and funds about 11 FTE of technical support. Young Rovshad said the district’s budgeted tech-levy spending for the current cycle is roughly $9 million.
A district advisory group reviewed the levy and recommended moving forward with a renewal and considering a modest increase; the administration will return with specific dollar and ballot language. Young Rovshad said the immediate renewal would focus on instructional uses (devices, network infrastructure, cybersecurity and device support); expanding the levy to cover administrative devices would represent a change in scope.
On bonds and construction, staff said voters approved a $538 million bond package in 2023 and the district issued $300 million in the first bond sale. Active projects include the Emerald Trail Elementary School (scheduled to open this fall), additions at Dakota Ridge, activity centers under construction at Eastview and Apple Valley high schools, and science and classroom renovations at several middle and high schools. The district reported $281 million in bids to date and said it expects sufficient bond funding to complete all promised projects; a second bond sale may occur next spring or summer depending on cash needs.
Staff also described safety and security investments funded by the bond: HALO vaping/smoke/aggression detectors, camera system replacements and expansions (18-month rollout), and standardized two-way radios for district buildings to improve communications. The administration said it will seek a board resolution in August to place the tech levy renewal on the Nov. 4 ballot.
