Technology Tools for Tomorrow

http://gfps.k12.mt.us/content/technology-levy

Because we need to fix our buildings

AND

invest in technology to ensure students are prepared for the

future!

THE ASK:

GFPS is requesting to replace a 2002 perpetual High

School Technology Levy of $75,000 with a 10 year

$500,000 levy.

We just supported a $98.8M building levy,

WHY THIS & WHY NOW?

GFPS Believes… • Technology is a tool that supports our mission to

successfully educate students to navigate their future.

• It is an extension of students’ current reality.

• Technology engages students and promotes

collaboration.

• As our students prepare for college, career, and citizenship, technology is a key ingredient for success.

• Technology is a skill for life.

THE HISTORY… • 15 years ago, our community recognized the need to

invest in technology.

• In May 2002, voters approved perpetual tech levies for

both districts:

• Elementary District - $150,000

• High School District - $ 75,000

• Since that time, no request for additional technology has

been requested.

• Have utilized federal, state and GFPS Foundation grants, general

funds, and donations (PTAs, businesses, etc.) to support

technology in our schools.

• Today, Great Falls is lagging behind other communities in

available tech resources.

Technology Levies – AA Districts

Butte is

asking

for a $300K

levy in May # of students

Technology Levies – AA & A Districts

$0

$20

$40

$60

$80

$100

$120

$140

$160

$180

$200

$1

9.5

8

$2

1.6

6

$2

2.3

1

$2

7.6

8

$3

2.6

0

$3

8.2

0

$3

9.1

0

$4

7.2

5

$4

7.8

6

$8

8.0

4

$8

8.2

4

$9

4.4

1

$9

7.7

1

$9

8.3

1

$1

25

.14

$1

27

.72

$1

30

.58

$1

79

.76

$1

82

.03

AA & A DISTRICTS WITH TECHNOLOGY LEVIES PER STUDENT ALLOCATION

Reported from MT OPI GEMS FY 2016

Passing the levy would put

GFPS at $62.07 per student.

Technology Levy Law: Then & Now

Current Levy New Levy • Levies approved prior to July 1, 2013

• Perpetual

• $$ is used for equipment, network

access and training of school

personnel

• Levy voted on May 2002

• Went into effect – 7/1/2002

• Perpetual Levy

• Elementary District - $150,000

• High School District - $ 75,000

• Levies approved after July 1, 2013

• May not exceed 10 years

• Must be used for equipment and

training.

• Proposed $500,000

How It Works:

If the High School Technology Levy passes:

Elementary District (Perpetual) - $150,000

High School District (for 10 years) - $500,000

Total $650,000

If the High School Technology Levy does not pass:

Elementary District (Perpetual) - $150,000

High School District (Perpetual) - $ 75,000

Total $225,000

How will the levy be spent?

Refresh/Replacement Equipment $ 325,000

Desktop computers Laptops Printers / Toner Projectors / Bulbs Document Cameras Application Servers Network Switches Wireless Access Points

New Equipment Purchases $ 166,500

Computers Mobile Carts Program Licenses

Professional Development $ 8,500

Project Based Learning Training for select applications

Totals $ 500,000

Refresh Aging Equipment

$325,000 per year 43.5% computers are 5 years

or older and out of warranty

(8,500 computers total)

• Most have been

purchased as refurbished

machines

73% projectors are obsolete

(632 projectors total)

Interactive technology tools

(eBeams/Smart Boards) no

longer supported

Computer Device Rating

Location % % % Total

Skyline PreSchool* 44 88.0% 6 12.0% 0 0.0% 50

Chief Joseph Elementary 336 49.9% 337 50.1% 0 0.0% 673

Lewis & Clark Elementary 181 66.3% 45 16.5% 47 17.2% 273

Lincoln Elementary 197 71.6% 60 21.8% 18 6.5% 275

Longfellow Elementary 94 40.2% 132 56.4% 8 3.4% 234

Loy Elementary 118 55.4% 51 23.9% 44 20.7% 213

Meadowlark Elementary 130 41.4% 96 30.6% 88 28.0% 314

Morningside Elementary 169 66.0% 57 22.3% 30 11.7% 256

Mountain View Elementary 158 58.5% 68 25.2% 44 16.3% 270

Riverview Elementary 173 75.9% 28 12.3% 27 11.8% 228

Roosevelt Elementary 104 37.8% 136 49.5% 35 12.7% 275

Sacajewa Elementary 147 63.1% 56 24.0% 30 12.9% 233

Sunnyside Elementary 165 51.6% 99 30.9% 56 17.5% 320

Valley View Elementary 283 46.9% 294 48.8% 26 4.3% 603

West Elementary 178 64.3% 75 27.1% 24 8.7% 277

Whittier Elementary 73 42.4% 66 38.4% 33 19.2% 172

East Middle School 422 49.4% 432 50.6% 0 0.0% 854

North Middle School 265 64.3% 125 30.3% 22 5.3% 412

CMR High School 393 47.5% 378 45.7% 56 6.8% 827

Great Falls High School 791 69.4% 341 29.9% 7 0.6% 1139

Paris Gibson Education Center 179 70.5% 75 29.5% 0 0.0% 254

Lowell Building & Grounds,

Environmental Education 7 77.8% 2 22.2% 0 0.0% 9

District Office Building 200 56.2% 142 39.9% 14 3.9% 356

Totals 4807 56.4% 3101 36.4% 609 7.2% 8517

Under warranty and within 5 year life span.

$844,088.90

$1,637,865.06

Refurbished/New equipment

New equipment

Out of warranty and greater than 5 years old. Refresh with 1-2 years.

Out of warranty and greater than 8 years old. Refresh now.

Refurbished/New equipment

New equipment

$156,951

$214,381

Purchase new equipment

$166,500 per year

• Chromebooks

• Mobility units

• Programs and licenses

Provide staff development $8500 per year

• To support the vision, teachers and staff must also be

engaged in technology.

• Providing professional development coupled with on-site

support and efficient and effective resources that are

“always on” and fully available are paramount to making

student achievement a realization.

Costs by Device

• Refurbished Desktop - $281.50

• Refurbished Laptop - $396.00

• Average Refurbished computer cost - $338.75

• New Chromebook - $268.70

• New Desktop - $578.76

• New Laptop - $891.54

Technology Matters… Student testimonials:

●

“I like how it is

personalized to go at

your own pace for more

individualized learning.

Chromebooks make

assignments cooler,

challenging, and way

more fun.” Adam

“I think that some of the

programs on the Chromebook

make you strive for better

learning, like Google Sheets.

We wouldn’t have gotten as

much enjoyment or learned as

much if we did assignments on

paper and turned it in.” Jillian

“We have taught

first graders how

to code

computers

during the Hour

of Code.” Taylee

“These Chromebooks have

helped me really stretch my

mind and have helped me

make my mind think a lot about

how to do something. I love the

coding!” Ethan

“I feel that Chromebooks in

math class have made math

a lot more interesting and

fun. They also have made it

more efficient for us in

class.” Kendra “They enhance the

learning for me by opening

a wide variety of projects

and activities to do. It also

teaches us practical Google

application skills.” Sam

6th Grade Math Project

• After Chromebooks

• Before Chromebooks

Student recognized the issue:

ounces vs. pounds

Technology Matters…

Teacher testimonials:

The use of high quality technology allows me to:

● Differentiate easily and effectively

● Increase the depth of instruction

● Increase opportunities to develop perseverance and

problem solving skills

● Easily adapt lessons to fit needs of the class based on

formative assessment

● Increase engagement

● Increase in excitement for learning

Mrs. Skawinski

I am seeing:

●Increased student

based / project based

learning

●Increased product

variety

●Increased student

engagement

●Decreased behavior

incidents

●More efficiencies:

●Quick start times

●Easier transitions

Mr. Dues

The accessibility, flexibility and relevancy

of my lessons are enhanced by

technology. These in turn have enhanced

student engagement.

Mrs. Harrington

Mail-in Ballot & How Much It Will Cost Ballots mailed - 4/17/2017

Ballots due election day - 5/2/2017

High School $500,000

The 3.45 additional mills required for the $425,000 will cost approximately:

• $100K home=$4.65/year or 39¢/month

• $150K home=$6.99/year or 58¢/month

• $200K home=$9.32/year or 78¢/month

• Will be adjusted with community factors…

• mill value, housing developments, economic development, etc.

• Calculate your personal impact by going here: http://gfps.k12.mt.us/content/high-school-technology-fund-election-cost

http://itax.tylertech.com/cascademt/

This is an example of

the charts that are

available if you look up

your own tax history

via the website above.

Property Tax Relief Available • Property Tax Assistance Application

• Own and occupy your home for at least 7 months of the year

• Based on Federal Adjusted Gross Income:

• Single: $21,262

• Married: $28,349

• Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit Application (2EC)

• 62 years or older

• Occupied for 6 months (own or rent)

• Reside in Montana for 9 months

• Gross household income less than $45,000

• Refundable credit up to $1000

• Links and printables on GFPS website:

• http://gfps.k12.mt.us/content/property-tax-relief-info

5 Take Away Points • As our nation becomes increasingly more technology-

dependent, it becomes even more necessary that to be

successful citizens, students must learn to be tech-savvy.

• Equipment is aging and obsolete. For students to be

engaged, they need reliable and optimal performing tools.

• Funding has remained static for 15 years and can no longer

support our dependence and growth in the digital age.

• Technology is transforming the classroom providing diversity

in learning styles and fostering collaboration and critical

thinking skills.

• Working together WE have the opportunity to improve

education in Great Falls for years to come.

Questions?

http://gfps.k12.mt.us/content/technology-levy

Pamplets, powerpoint, etc.

Tammy Lacey

Superintendent

268-6001

tammy_lacey@gfps.k12.mt.us

Tom Hering

Director of Information Technology

268-6068

tom_hering@gfps.k12.mt.us