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District 196 board votes to place technology-levy renewal and increase on November ballot
Summary
School officials approved a resolution to ask voters in November to renew the district's expiring 2015 technology levy and increase the rate; district leaders said funds pay for 1:1 devices, network upgrades and tech support and warned of a $9.1 million funding gap if the levy lapses.
The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School Board voted unanimously to call a November referendum to renew and raise District 196's expiring 2015 technology levy, district officials announced at the board's August meeting. The resolution, moved by Jackie and seconded by Robin, authorizes asking voters to increase the local levy to raise roughly $15.5 million annually; officials estimated the tax impact at about $7 per month on a $400,000 home.
District staff said the current levy generates about $9.1 million per year and pays for student devices, classroom and school hardware, network infrastructure, cybersecurity and mobile tech support. "Good technology planning doesn't start with tools, it starts with purpose," Rob Franchino, assistant principal at Eastview High School, told the board as part of a multi-presenter briefing on the measure.
Board members heard a multi-part presentation from Ed Hyer (staff member), Rob Franchino (assistant principal, Eastview High School) and Adam Wattenberger (deputy general counsel) explaining the proposal, the district's technology needs and community polling results. Officials said the district now supports more than 30,000 instructional devices and 14.5 full-time-equivalent technology support positions funded by the levy; mobile technicians and building-level staff provide day-to-day support to classrooms.
A 2024 survey by Morris Leatherman, cited by district staff, found 85% of respondents supported renewing the levy and 64% supported the proposed increase. District leaders also emphasized fiscal oversight and community trust: the surveyors told the board the district's "reservoir of goodwill" and "trust in financial management" were near the top of the range compared with other districts surveyed.
If voters do not renew the levy, the administration warned, District 196 would lose more than $9.1 million a year and would need to reallocate operating funds or cut technology services. The levy is a voter-approved capital projects levy earmarked for instructional technology; presenters contrasted it with bond referendums, which pay for buildings, noting the 2023 bond for new construction and renovations was a separate voter-approved measure.
Board member comments during the discussion commended the district's purpose-based planning and cited classroom instructional gains tied to technology. Deputy general counsel Adam Wattenberger reviewed ballot logistics: the proposal would increase the district's levy rate (presented to voters as a specified tax rate in the resolution) and, if approved, would fund a 10-year technology program. Early voting and mail-in voting periods will open in September and election day is Nov. 4.
The board's motion to approve the resolution passed unanimously.
The district plans ongoing outreach and said residents may contact the superintendent's office or elections@district196.org for information.
