Highline Public Schools Tech Levy
Transcript of Spoken Words
Hi, my name is Bontu Balda, a 2020 graduate of Highline Public Schools. I want to tell you about the Highline technology levy on the November 3 ballot. When the pandemic hit last spring, our need for technology funding suddenly became very urgent. The proposed levy pays for digital devices, internet connection, cybersecurity, support, and training.
This fall, students will be learning from home. Last March, like many students, I got a Chromebook to take home. That's how I stayed connected to my teachers so I could continue learning and finish my senior year strong. Without that technology support, I don't know how I would have completed my senior year of high school. The levy pays for laptops and hotspots so all students can learn at school and at home, replacing aging computers for students and teachers, updated cybersecurity to protect confidential student and district data, new classroom technology so teachers can deliver instruction at school and during distance learning, support and training to help teachers personalize instruction for students' needs.
The levy will not raise local property taxes. If approved, taxpayers will see a reduction of $0.12 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2021. The current tax rate is $4.55. If approved, the tax rate will be $4.33 in 2021 and $4.32 in 2022.
Our tech levy is critical for high-quality education during the pandemic and beyond. I encourage you to learn more. Visit highlandschools.org/levy. And don't forget to vote by November 3.