A Practical Conversation About School Technology
By Dave Whitesell, Superintendent
In Park City, we understand that our role is not just to operate a school system—it is to care for something this community owns.
That responsibility comes with a clear expectation: be transparent, be disciplined with resources, and make decisions that are grounded in long-term stability.
With that in mind, I want to be very clear about the technology levy that will appear on the ballot this next week.
Ten years ago, this community made a 10-year commitment to support school technology. That commitment expires this year, and we are simply asking to renew it for another 10 years—at the same level, with no increase and no expansion.
This is not a new tax.
That clarity matters, because this conversation is not about adding something new—it is about maintaining what is already in place and already being used every day.
Public education today is operationally dependent on technology. State assessments are delivered online. Instruction, communication, student records, safety systems, and daily operations all rely on stable, functioning systems.
Technology is no longer an add-on. It is part of the basic infrastructure of running a school.
Over the past decade (2016–2026), Park City Schools has invested $800,768 in locally funded technology. Of that, $200,000 came from the voter-approved technology levy. The remaining costs were covered by the district’s general fund.
That investment goes well beyond student devices. It includes the systems that keep our schools operating safely and reliably—network infrastructure, internet filtering and cybersecurity, cameras and building security, fire and safety systems, and the core software that supports daily school operations.
The initial purchase of technology is only part of the cost. Maintaining, securing, updating, and eventually replacing that technology accounts for most of the long-term investment.
During the pandemic, one-time federal ESSER funds helped temporarily fill some gaps. Those funds are no longer available.
The district also participates in the federal E-Rate program, which is based on free and reduced-price lunch rates. For Park City, that support helps offset a portion of our internet costs, primarily our fiber connection. It is helpful—but limited. It does not cover student devices, classroom technology, or the systems required to operate the school.
Those costs remain a local responsibility.
The renewal request remains the same as it was in 2016:
$10,000 per year for the elementary district
$10,000 per year for the high school district
For context, total costs for both districts:
A $100,000 home: approximately $2.22 per year
A $300,000 home: approximately $6.66 per year
A $600,000 home: approximately $15.84 per year
At the same time, the district will continue to carry the majority of technology costs through the general fund, just as it has over the past decade.
The reality is simple: these costs do not go away. Devices wear out. Systems require maintenance. Security must stay current.
If the levy is not renewed, those needs do not disappear—they shift more pressure onto the general fund.
This levy keeps that balance in place. It allows us to maintain a predictable replacement cycle, preserve system reliability, and avoid higher, more disruptive costs in the future.
There is no expansion in this request. It is a maintenance strategy—nothing more, and nothing less.
This community made a commitment ten years ago, and the district has worked to honor that commitment responsibly.
This request is simply to continue it—steady, predictable, and focused on taking care of what we already have.
Thank you for your consideration.