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Taos district and charter leaders back $5.4M edtech note to replace devices, expand support
Summary
Taos Municipal Schools and charter leaders presented a jointly developed plan to issue an educational‑technology note (three‑year cycle) to fund Chromebook replacement, licensing, technical support and safety upgrades; Stifel public finance outlined the legal steps and timing for board approval.
Taos Municipal Schools officials and leaders from the district’s charter schools told the school board May 27 they support issuing an educational‑technology note — a three‑year financing vehicle — to fund device replacement schedules, technical support contracts and school safety technology across the district and charters.
Dr. Reineer Martins, the district’s director of finance, said charters and the district collaborated on a single proposal and that the total request under discussion is about $5.4 million. “We worked collaboratively together to determine what is actually the need to determine what is the volume of the adtech note suggested to the school board to issue,” he said, describing a three‑year replacement cycle to keep devices current and to fund licenses and vendor support.
Charter leaders described how the funds would be used at individual schools. Michelle Hunt said her school uses edtech funds to provide one‑to‑one Chromebooks with a scheduled replacement cadence and to pay for tech‑support contracts: “Our most important piece … was tech support. It pays for the tech support contract with a vendor that makes sure everything’s working.” Dr. Tracy Phyllis and Naen Vill echoed that point, noting needs for student and staff devices, software licensing and network infrastructure.
Nick Kaine of Stifel Public Finance briefed the board on process and timing. Kaine said edtech notes do not require voter authorization and that the board would adopt a resolution, publish two public notices and then return to price and issue the note within a few weeks. He added the projected mill levy impact would remain within current district goals under the scenario presented.
The board expressed general support and asked administration to bring resolution language to the next meeting. Superintendent Leighton said he looked forward to seeing the resolution presented at the next board meeting so the board can take formal action.
Why it matters: an edtech note pays for recurring technology needs that administrators say cannot be supported by one‑time bond or capital funds; charter school leaders said it also reduces administrative burden for charters and helps ensure all students have access to current devices.
The board did not vote on the edtech note at the May 27 meeting; staff said a resolution would be provided at the next regular meeting for formal action.
