DILLON, MT – The Dillon Elementary School District #10 is seeking voter approval for a $200,000 technology levy aimed at maintaining and updating critical educational technology. The proposed levy includes a $150,000 increase to the district's current $50,000 annual technology fund, which is essential for supporting student and staff safety, purchasing learning software, updating communication tools, and maintaining instructional devices.
If approved, the levy would result in a slight increase in property taxes—approximately $8.01 per year for a home valued at $100,000, $24.02 for a $300,000 home, and $48.03 for a $600,000 home. This funding would be set for 10 years, providing stable support for necessary educational technology needs.
Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the district has faced a surge in technology-related expenses, including the demand for more devices, enhanced security, and additional software licenses. Despite these growing needs, the district has not requested additional funding for technology since 2002. The new levy aims to help the district keep pace with technological advancements that have become essential for modern education.
Superintendent Randy Shipman emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility in managing resources. "We are committed to ensuring that every dollar spent is used effectively to enhance our students' educational experiences. This levy is a necessary step to provide our students with the tools they need to succeed," said Shipman. "We realize taxes are high, but our technology needs are around $325,000 per year, and we’ve had a $50,000 levy since 2002. Given the current challenges with funding, we are requesting only a portion of the necessary amount and not the full cost of our technology needs. We will cover the remainder through the general fund."
Currently, Dillon Elementary School District spends 14.7% less per pupil compared to the Montana state average. In the 2022-2023 school year, the district spent $11,388 per student, while the state average was $13,346. For the 2023-2024 school year, approximately 23% of the district's revenue came from local property taxes, significantly lower than the state average of 28.32%.
Principal Greg Fitzgerald highlighted the role of technology in enhancing student engagement. "Technology has transformed the way we teach and learn. Investing in technology is investing in our students' futures," Fitzgerald noted. "While we have made improvements, there’s still a continual need to maintain and enhance our resources."
Chad Herman, the Technology Director, underscored the rising need for cybersecurity, stating, "Protecting student and staff data from cyber threats is crucial. This ongoing expense underscores the importance of investing in robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard our community."
To provide information about the levy and address community questions, the district has formed a Technology Levy Task Force, which includes Superintendent Shipman, Principal Fitzgerald, Middle School Principal Joel Rogers, District Clerk Kasey Swisher, educators, trustees, and community members. The task force has engaged with various groups throughout the community and will continue to meet to discuss the levy request.
Community member Cory Creighton emphasized the importance of investing in education. "Supporting this levy is about investing in our kids' future. Good schools benefit the community as a whole," Creighton stated.
Former Montana state legislator Tom Welch expressed his strong support for the technology levy. "This funding will ensure our students and educators have access to top-notch educational tools. I urge everyone to vote YES for the School District #10 technology levy," Welch added.
The School District #10 Board of Trustees has approved the technology levy request during their September 2024 meeting. Community members are urged to participate in the upcoming vote on May 6th to ensure that students have access to essential educational resources.
For more information on the levy, visit www.dillonschools.org/page/2025-technology-levy or attend the final Elementary Technology Levy Information Meeting on April 10th at 7:00 PM in the District Conference Room at 22 North Cottom Drive.
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