ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Ann Arbor Public Schools will ask district voters to approve a new 0.5 mill tax in November for technology upgrades, according to a report at AnnArbor.com
The district completed the first phase of a hardware update in 2009, using bond money, but it does not have funds to complete the second phase, according to Robert Allen, deputy superintendent of operations, AnnArbor.com reported. He said the district will need $30.8 million over 10 years to replace outdated technology.
Trustees voted unanimously to direct the superintendent to proceed with placing a request on the ballot, though the details are not final, AnnArbor.com reported. The board has until Aug. 16 to submit official wording for the ballot, the report said.
Trustees discussed whether it was advisable to ask for a tax increase in view of the state’s economic downturn, and also discussed how a November vote might affect future millage requests, should the district decide to return to the voters within the next year, AnnArbor.com reported.
SOURCES:
AnnArbor.com, “Ann Arbor schools to seek 0.5 mill tax for technology upgrades,” July 14, 2011
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, “Common School Funding Myths”
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