Lakeville superintendent urges voters to renew $4 million annual capital projects levy

Michael Baumann, superintendent of the Lakeville Public School District, urged residents to vote to renew the district's capital projects levy on Nov. 4, saying the measure would sustain $4,000,000 annually for the next 10 years and would not raise taxes.

"Renewing means there is no new tax increase," Baumann said, describing the renewal as a continuation of the district's 2015 levy. He said the funds would maintain staff and student devices, educational-technology infrastructure and security systems and support career-pathway and STEM programs.

Baumann said the district conducted a community survey earlier in the year and reported strong support: "76% said that college and career readiness programs are very important or essential," he said, adding that 85% of surveyed likely voters said they would support the renewal. Those figures were presented as context for the ballot question and not as formal polling results announced by the district board.

Explaining why the district seeks voter approval, Baumann said state school funding does not cover technology purchases and other capital needs. "There are no mechanisms in the state funding system to provide for school districts to secure that kind of equipment," he said, adding that the levy is the district's means of funding those items.

Baumann described a range of uses already funded by prior levies and that the renewal would sustain them: standardized IT systems, classroom audio and projection equipment, Apple TVs for wireless screen sharing and device-management tools such as Apple Classroom. A district video shown at the meeting noted the 1-to-1 iPad initiative launched in 2020 and emphasized digital literacy and interactive instruction.

The superintendent emphasized cybersecurity and infrastructure needs, saying the district has expanded server capacity and monitoring so devices on the network are restricted to educational uses and protected. "Keeping our kids safe online is key and essential to our success and what this funding is for," he said.

Baumann also cited investments in hands-on career and STEM opportunities: welding and plasma-cutting equipment, graphic-design and music-production tools, and classroom updates that support those pathways.

On consequences if the levy fails, Baumann warned of significant budget choices. "We're gonna have to take a look at where are we gonna cut $4,000,000 out of our next fiscal year budget," he said, adding that because salaries and benefits compose most of the budget, staffing reductions are a likely outcome.

Baumann closed by explaining voting logistics: the ballot will ask voters to renew the existing capital projects levy (not a new levy); early in-person voting begins Sept. 19 at the district office, early mail voting is available, and polling places will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 4.

The district presentation included specific survey percentages, examples of technology and security upgrades already achieved with levy dollars, and a video segment describing the district's 1-to-1 device initiative.