The proposed technology tax levies for Kalispell Public Schools will have a slightly smaller impact on taxpayers than previously indicated.

Based on updated tax rate information, the high school technology levy would cost taxpayers who own homes valued at $200,000 an extra $12.61 a year.

The elementary technology levy would cost an extra $29.61 for the owner of a $200,000 home.

The district is asking voters to approve 10-year technology tax levies of $600,000 a year for the elementary district and $600,000 annually for the high school district.

Approximately 30,000 ballots will be mailed April 21 to voters in Kalispell and surrounding school districts. They will be due back by May 6.

District Technology Director Rich Lawrence said a 10-year levy would ensure that technology can be updated and students can stay on the cutting edge.

Lawrence has outlined a plan to replace technology that is five or more years old.

The district currently has about 2,400 technology components (including projection devices, network computers, mobile devices and desktop computers) that are more than five years old.

A sizable portion of the levy money, $454,000 annually, is tentatively slated to go toward infrastructure. Technology infrastructure includes hardware, software and network equipment required to transmit and store digital data. The infrastructure improvements would include routers and servers as well as increased bandwidth and Internet connectivity.

Another $360,000 annually would be spent on desktop computers.

Other technology levy money would be spent on projection devices, mobile devices, network printers and staff training.

Only voters in Kalispell will vote on the elementary levy request.

The high school levy request will be decided by voters both in Kalispell and rural school districts outside Kalispell that send students to Flathead and Glacier high schools.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].