A message of thanks from Robbinsdale Area Schools

On behalf of the staff and students of Robbinsdale Area Schools, I would like to thank voters for approving the two levy questions on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Question 1, a no-tax increase renewal of our operating levy, is a major funding source for our schools. It helps maintain lower than average class sizes and funds daily school and district operations ­­- such as classroom supplies, staff salaries, building maintenance and transportation. It provides $20 million each year, which is the equivalent of 225 teachers or the entire staffing costs of five elementary schools. Without this levy being renewed, the district would have had to identify $20 million in budget cuts that would have begun in 2016-17.

Question 2 was on the ballot because technology is necessary to prepare students to thrive in our digital world and join a 21st-century workforce. Prior to the Nov. 4 election, we were one of the few Hennepin County school districts that did not have a voter-approved technology levy. With a dedicated source of funding for technology, we will be better able to help students learn according to their learning style, give students more learning options, and allow access to information from anywhere, at any time. Now, Robbinsdale Area Schools will be able to provide up-to-date resources and tools to prepare students for careers and college. Without this funding, we would have experienced a widened technology gap between our school district and our neighbors, with our staff and students using outdated technology, thereby limiting opportunities for innovation.

Technology is everywhere today, with smartphones, iPads and other tablets, laptop computers and more. The Internet, email and social media have transformed how we communicate, how we access information, how we share and how we learn. The analog world many of us grew up in has changed ­– and technology is no longer a luxury. Used properly and with the right support and training, this technology can be an incredible asset to a learning environment – for staff and students alike.

We are incredibly grateful to voters for approving both of these levy questions. We – like most Minnesota school districts – rely on our operating levy for daily operations, as it provides about 13 percent of our budget. The addition of a technology levy will provide a stable source of funding to enable us to fully implement our comprehensive, research-based technology plan that will support student learning.

Thank you to the voters who showed their support at the polls, to the volunteers and staff who shared the message of our needs, and to the community for entrusting us with the mission of educating our future leaders. It is an honor and a privilege.

Dr. Aldo Sicoli

Superintendent

Robbinsdale Area Schools