Spirit Lake voters support property tax request

The Spirit Lake School District's efforts to fund laptop computers for every student in grades 5-12 received a boost Tuesday night.

Voters in the school district gave a Physical Plant and Equipment Levy, or PPEL 56.1 percent support in a special election. The levy received 816 "yes" votes to 638 "no" votes.

The results are unofficial. A simple majority was needed to pass the district's requested a levy of 65 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation over the next three years.

The outcome will allow the district to collect $1.77 million from a new property tax revenue stream. A district resident with a $200,000 home will pay about $58 per year over the next three years, according to Spirit Lake Superintendent David Smith.

Regardless of the outcome, Smith said he felt residents were able to make an informed decision in the final day before the election.

"It's really unbelievable," he said. "I was just at the coffee shops this (Monday) morning, seeing how people are so much more informed now than they were a week-and-a-half or two weeks ago. In the absence of good information people make up information or speculate on information."

The idea of a technology expansion began at focus meetings in the fall of 2009, according to Smith. He said it became apparent that Spirit Lake teachers felt the school was behind in providing the technology needed to fully prepare students for 21st Century learning.

School district staff members began research, including visits to other schools to find the best fit for the Spirit Lake School District. Smith said the Technology Initiative -- in the form of a laptop computer for every student in Grades 5-12 and mobile carts of laptops for use in Grades K-4 -- emerged as the heart of the plan.

"Along with laptops for students, the plan will provide a laptop for every teacher, special education technology, science and math technology, digital cameras and projectors, and whiteboard technology," Smith said.

The initiative also includes wireless access throughout the district, security and virus monitoring, and warranty support for the computers.

The district put the measure in the hands of voters at a December meeting, when the school board unanimously agreed to support a voted PPEL. The district has sponsored more than 30 informational sessions, which were open to community members.

Through presentations and interviews, Smith was confident residents understood what the district is asking for, regardless of whether or not they agree with the referendum.

"Our parent group is unbelievable and they've done so much to help us get the word out," Smith said. "They've planned business luncheons and they've communicated with parents throughout our district and their neighbors. They've been out and about just trying to get people to attend the presentations. That's as important as anything. If we can get good information out to people, people can make good decisions."

Throughout the process, Smith said the focus of the plan remained access and opportunity for all students and their families.

"If we get this up and running, people are going to feel really good about where we're at a year down the road, once they see what is happening," Smith said. "I'm really confident our teachers are going to really do some awesome things with our students with this technology."