Genoa Schools seek technology levy

GENOA — Genoa Schools officials want village voters to support an additional levy appearing on the fall ballot.District leaders want to expand the system's technology offerings for students to enhance their educational opportunities. With help from district treasurer Bill Nye, here are some of the most important points to understand:The issue: A .5 mill, 5-year levy for technology enhancements.• Cost to a $100,000 homeowner: If approved, $17.50. "Due to the recent successful refinancing of the district's middle school and elementary school bonds issued to construct the two school buildings, the Ottawa County auditor will be able to reduce the current bond levy millage by an equivalent level of 0.5-mills for the proposed education technology levy," Nye said. "This would basically negate any tax increase to community taxpayers."• Money created: If approved, $89,000 annually• Purpose: Nye provided the following response:"The plan would be to use the bulk of revenues from the levy to expand the district's one-to-one Chromebook technology initiative. Currently, all students in grades nine to 12 now have access to Chromebooks. The district would look to extend this one-to-one access to all middle school students and eventually to the elementary school so every student would have access to a Chromebook. Besides Chromebook purchases, the levy revenues could also be used to update software, network servers and Wi-Fi systems."Reach reporter Patrick Pfanner at pfanner@sanduskyregister.com, follow him on Twitter @PatPfanner and follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegister