By DOUG DONNELLY
Advance Editor
OTTAWA LAKE – When the Monroe County Intermediate School District first asked voters to approve a technology millage in 1997, a computer in every classroom was the goal.
Three decades later, the millage is still funding technology, but now computers are in the hands of every student.
“These funds are critical to our students’ academic growth and achievement,” said Whiteford Supt. Scott Huard. “The technology allows our students enhanced access to learning activities that couldn’t be achieved with paper and pencil tasks. Learning can be faster and more personalized.”
Voters will go to the polls Tuesday, May 5, to decide on a sixth renewal of the millage. The .9866-mill renewal millage would raise about $7.6 million a year for another five years for the nine public schools, two charter schools and the Monroe County Intermediate School District.
For Whiteford, that amounts to roughly $320,000 a year.
“The educational landscape is changing from memorizing facts to more focus on students developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy skills,” Huard said. “In order to be successful in the future, our students need these skills on any chosen pathway.”
The technology millage was once used for infrastructure to connect the entire county. Today, the money is used exclusively for technology enhancements, from student learning devices like laptops or tablets, to WiFi networks, cybersecurity and classroom technology tools. The money cannot be used for salaries or transportation or normal general fund expenses.
This is not a new tax but a renewal request, so local property taxes will not increase if voters approve the millage.
The proposal renews a .9866 mill levy for five years, equal to .9866 cents per $1,000 of taxable home value. For example, a home with a taxable value of $100,000 would contribute $98.66 per year. The requested amount is slightly less than 1 mill.
Huard says the money allows Whiteford to purchase a Chromebook for every student.
“We have a refresh cycle where third- and eighth-graders get a new Chromebook, and they keep it for five years,” he said. “Grades TK-second grade Chromebooks are refreshed every five years, also.”
The technology millage money has also helped Whiteford purchase instructional tools that have enhanced learning drastically, Huard said.
“All of our classrooms have interactive boards and document cameras for instruction,” he said. “These allow students to be more engaged in the learning by interacting with the technology.”
Voters have consistently renewed the technology millage at a 60-percent in favor margin, county officials said.
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