Board places tech levy renewal on ballot

At its regular meeting on June 13, members of the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 Board of Education unanimously voted to ask voters to renew the district’s existing technology levy this fall.

The levy has been in place since 2015 and provides funding for purchasing, maintaining and replacing office and instructional technology, such as Chromebooks for students, as well as maintaining and improving technology-related security and providing technology personnel and training. 

“We’ve seen very clearly how important student devices and other instructional technology are for teaching and learning today,” said Superintendent Dr. Theresa Battle. “Just as important is having a strong technology foundation, including cyber-security so we can protect student, staff and family data. We’re fortunate to be in a good position now, thanks to community support, and it’s essential that we can continue to meet the needs of the coming years.”

If approved, the levy is expected to provide about $4.6 million per year for 10 years. If it’s not renewed before it expires, District 191 will not be able to replace aging classroom technology equipment and student devices, or maintain the technology support that staff and students rely on every day in our schools. 

Because it’s a renewal of an existing levy, there would be no tax rate increase if it’s approved by voters. 

Election day will be Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. More information about the levy and voting will be available on the District 191 website at www.isd191.org in the coming weeks.