It’s been over a decade since voters initially approved our Technology Capital Levy and put iPads into the hands of students across the district. Since then, the Capital Levy has been renewed every four years by voters to keep our students technologically literate in an ever-changing world.
Back in 2013, before the Technology Levy went before voters, our Technology team conducted a pilot at two schools, trying out a number of different devices that were under consideration. Chief Technology Officer Mike Christianson said Chromebooks, laptops, and tablets were all given a trial run. “We did extensive pilots and got feedback from all of our users and overwhelmingly the Apple iPad was picked,” he said.
Mike said one reason was that Apple had the biggest educational ecosystem at the time. He also said the iPads were a good size and easy to use for all students.
So once the Technology Capital Levy was approved by voters in 2014, it was time to buy a few iPads.
Technology is ever evolving, and that’s why it won’t surprise you to know that the iPads purchased for students in 2014 aren’t still in use here in Bethel.
“Those get swapped out all at once, every 3-4 years,” Mike said.
He said the swap is done by grade, so all grade levels are using the same version of devices.
Swapping in the new devices for the old is a huge undertaking. All of the elementary schools are done at the same time, usually during the summer, which means there are 10,000 new devices coming in, and 10,000 old devices going out.
Dealing with 20,000 ipads all at once is something Mike’s team has perfected over the years. “Right now we can reset all elementary iPads in three days. It used to take us three days per elementary,” he said.
What happens to the old iPads?
Those old iPads still have a life ahead of them, just not here in Bethel. Mike’s team works with resellers to get the best value for the old devices. That makes every tax dollar stretch even further.
“We’ve added millions of dollars back into our Tech Levy budget funds to replace devices and keep the overall budget on track,” Mike said.
But without good infrastructure, those iPads wouldn’t be very useful. The Technology Capital Levy also pays for our internet and wireless (WiFi) systems, our data center and servers, hardware, software, mobile hotspots, and the critically important, internet security.
Alongside that, money from the Technology Capital Levy also supports some staff positions, including tech support and some of our Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSAs).
Next year, both our Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O)* Levy and our Technology Capital Levy will be up for renewal. These levies are on a four year cycle and are critical funding for our district. Voters have renewed the EP&O Levy every four years for decades, and they’ve renewed the Technology Capital Levy every four years since it was first put before voters in 2014. Pending School Board approval, both of these levies are expected to be on the ballot in 2026.
*The EP&O Levy basically pays for everything the state doesn’t fully fund when it comes to basic education. The state’s funding model has been outdated for some time, and all districts require more money than the state provides to support students. About 98% of our EP&O Levy pays for salaries and benefits for positions the state underfunds.
