When voters within Federal Way Public Schools receive their Feb. 9 ballot next year, the district hopes they will approve the $26.4 million, six-year replacement technology levy, making it possible to continue 21st century learning in the classroom.

The current six-year technology levy approved by voters in 2010 expires at the end of 2016. The current 2010 levy collected $4.4 million per year starting in 2011.

“Our current levy increased access to technology for students,” said Dani Pfeiffer, deputy superintendent for Federal Way Public Schools. “We deployed laptops to staff. We enhanced our infrastructure and wireless network. We provided presentation stations in the classroom. We deployed one-to-one computing at targeted campuses. We began implementation of blended learning models for students that receive their instruction online and also in person.”

If approved, the replacement technology levy will begin collecting $4.4 million starting in 2017 and will expire in 2022. Pfeiffer said the tech levy that would start in 2017 will simply replace the existing levy and will not be a new tax.

“Our hope is that, if approved, the next tech levy will provide robust professional development for our teachers,” Pfeiffer said. “In addition to the technology device, it is critical [teachers] know how to employ the device, using those 21st century teaching and learning behaviors to help the instruction come alive in the classroom, to personalize and make it relevant and responsive.”

The school district is very excited for the plan to develop several professional development centers housed at different schools, each with a science, technology, engineering and mathematics focus. These planned professional development centers, made possible by the replacement tech levy dollars, will help teachers be more effective in the classroom and be more relevant and responsive to the student, Pfeiffer said.

The school board unanimously approved placing the tech levy on the Feb. 9, 2016 ballot on Nov. 24. Board members were excited for what the replacement tech levy would bring to students.

“It’s been a total team approach,” said Superintendent Tammy Campbell. “I think I want the public as well as the board to know that we’re approaching things across departments so that we have the best thinking on the table … One of the things I’ll be pressing the team to do is to have metrics that really mark not only at the end of the levy cycle but every year what we’ve done, what we’ve accomplished and ultimately what are those outcomes in the classroom for our students.”