Kalispell Public Schools is hosting a community technology forum on April 16 at 6 p.m. at Flathead High School to discuss the use of technology and its integration into the curriculum in local schools. A panel of teachers and administrators including Superintendent Darlene Schottle, IT Director Richard Lawrence, and teachers from the Engineering Academy at Glacier High School and the Biomedical Academy at Flathead High School will speak on the use of technology in the curriculum.
The Kalispell School District No. 5 board of trustees voted unanimously last week to float a levy of $1.2 million for technology upgrades in its high school and elementary facilities. The funds would go toward infrastructure, software and other technology-related needs within the city’s school system, including staff training. The district will ask residents for 11.31 mills in the elementary district and 4.81 mills in the high school district.
The high school district has not had a technology levy in the past three years while the elementary district is in the final year of its levy.
Mail-in ballots will be sent out April 21 and are due back May 6.
A proposed technology levy for the Kalispell School District would increase annual property taxes by $12.60 for the high school district and $29.62 for the elementary district for homeowners whose house had an assessed value of $200,000.
After hearing updates from each panel member, local business leaders and the Kalispell community are invited to ask questions and comment on the readiness of graduates upon entering the local economy. Feedback gathered will help inform future district technology choices and ensure that coursework and training is relevant to the rapidly changing 21st century economy.
“We feel this forum is a great first step in planning for the future of our graduates,” Schottle stated. “With growing infrastructure and expanding programs, the continued integration of technology will put our students on the cutting edge of training and innovation.”
For more information on the forum, please call (406) 751-3432.