ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The Rochester Faculty Board has voted so as to add a brand new merchandise to the poll this November, and greater than $10 million a yr is on the road.

In November, the Rochester Neighborhood will vote on a know-how referendum. If permitted, it might increase the common Rochester house owner’s yearly taxes by $135.

“I believe an important piece is how focused it’s, the data we’ll be capable of share with the neighborhood within the time main as much as the referendum will very clearly determine for them how this cash goes to be spent and the form of freedom it’s going to provide us inside our finance determination making,” chair Cathy Nathan defined.

If the neighborhood votes to approve the capital initiatives levy, it can present the district with greater than 10 million {dollars} in funding for know-how. Nathan stories the district is at present utilizing greater than 30 sources of income to fund know-how.

“We’ll be capable of unencumber about seven million {dollars} in our basic fund to have the ability to apply to areas outdoors of know-how however nonetheless within the classroom,” Nathan mentioned.

Superintendent Kent Pekel defined that the referendum will fund crucial wants and produce the district nearer to its targets specified by its strategic plan.

“Faculty security could be precedence primary. Enhancing the standard of cameras in our faculties, exploring new options that use synthetic intelligence to determine and defend towards weapons,” Pekel listed.

Neighborhood member Ray Hicks voiced his reservations about voting to approve one other 10-year levy, wanting to ensure the neighborhood is educated on what it’s voting for.

“After I’m voting on that originally I don’t know what the financial system goes to be ten years out I don’t know what the stress goes to be on individuals as taxpayers. It offers me an uneasy feeling,” Hicks mentioned.

The board plans on internet hosting informational session for the neighborhood earlier than the vote in November.

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