2022 Tech Levy Renewal

Technology levies are typically approved for 10 years, the maximum length allowed by state law. At the end of that period, residents must vote to approve a renewal or increase—it is not automatic. In 2019 and 2020, the district asked voters if they would increase this levy, but both requests were rejected. The 2022 request simply asks for a straight renewal, with no increase—and thus no tax increase. If the levy renewal request is not approved on the November 2022 ballot it will expire, resulting in a loss of $1.2 million in annual funding to the school district that is used to support technology-related expenses.

Because this is a straight renewal of an existing levy, there is no tax increase if voters approve the request.

If the request fails, property taxes for the typical homeowner ($500,000 value home) would decrease approximately $123 per year - resulting in a loss of $1.2 million annually for the school district.

Yes. In both 2019 and 2020 the school district asked voters to consider increasing the technology levy. Both times it failed - in 2020, by only 60 votes. Therefore, there was no increase or extension of the levy in either of those years. Now the levy will expire if not renewed in November 2022. The School Board unanimously approved asking voters to consider a straight renewal of the levy on the November 2022 ballot. If approved, there will be no tax increase to property owners and the levy will continue for ten years at its current level.

The district will lose $1.2 million dollars in annual funding that has been used to support technology for teaching and learning. District staff and the Orono School Board would need to identify $1.2 million annually in budget cuts, which would impact teachers, programs and technology districtwide.

There will be a single question on the ballot related to the Orono Schools tech levy renewal:

The board of Independent School District No. 278 (Orono Public Schools) has proposed to renew its expiring capital project levy authorization in the amount of 2.539% times the net tax capacity of the school district. This authorization would renew the school district’s existing authorization scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2022.

The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $1,253,030 for taxes payable in 2023, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for ten years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $12,530,300.

The revenue raised by this authorization will provide continued funds for the acquisition, replacement, maintenance and support of instructional technology and software, devices, equipment, networks, security, operational infrastructure, and technology support personnel.

Shall the school district’s existing capital project levy authorization to fund technology proposed by the board of Independent School district No 278 be approved?

BY VOTING YES ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING TO RENEW AN EXISTING CAPITAL PROJECTS REFERENDUM THAT IS SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE

Minnesota does not provide school districts with categorical aid for technology; districts must rely on technology levies for these essential dollars. Technology levies are typically approved for 10 years, the maximum length allowed by state law.

The Orono Schools Business Services staff, School Board members, and the district Facilities and Finance Committee have oversight over responsible spending. The district carefully manages taxpayer dollars and has operated within 2% of its annual budget for more than 10 years. Mr. Jim Westrum, Orono Schools' Executive Director of Business Services, has achieved the ASBO Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations® (SFO®) designation.

Since 2017, the district has received a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) for financial reporting and transparency. The district has earned Moody's long-term rating of Aa2 (high quality and very low credit risk), a ranking that places the district in the top 2% of all Minnesota school districts. In November 2021, the Orono School Board received the latest clean audit report from the independent audit firm of Malloy, Montague, Karnowski, Radosevich & Co., P.A.

Yes, all school districts across the country received state and federal one-time funds restricted to specific uses to help with the COVID pandemic crisis. Those funds helped pay for additional protective equipment, masks, cleaning, special technology access for families in need, child care for essential workers, air ventilation and other issues directly related to the pandemic. In our case, the extra funds did not cover the additional costs we incurred, and we had to draw from our operating budget to ensure students and staff were safe and had the protections and supports they needed.

For the district's financial reports, please visit the Budget & Finance webpage. 

The technology levy will appear as a question on the November 8, 2022 general election ballot. Because this is a general election, residents will vote at their regular polling place. To find your polling location, visit mnvotes.org. Early voting will be available beginning September 23, 2022.

Renewing the technology levy will continue a reliable funding source for important technology needs in our schools, with no tax increase to residents. Research shows that strong schools build strong communities through:

• Strong property values
• Students who are prepared to enter the workforce, both locally and outside the area

According to a fall 2021 community survey of Orono residents:

• 96% believe Orono Public Schools increase property values in the community
• 94% believe they receive a good value for their investment in our schools