Voters in North Border School District overwhelmingly have approved a 5-mill technology.
The final vote in this week's election was 149-63.
The new levy, which will bring in about $75,000 annually to the district, is expected to be included on property owners' tax bills this school year. The 5-mill levy will cost households, on average, between $15 and $30 per year, depending on their property value.
North Border is a consolidated district with schools in Walhalla, Pembina and Neche, N.D.
When the schools combined in the 2005-06 school year, the new district did not have a special tax levy for technology.
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"We just feel that with all the technology and the need for continuing updating that this is necessary," Superintendent Wade "Joe" Defoe said.
It is vital not only to communicate between schools in three different communities, but to provide students with skills needed to advance either to college or the workplace, he said.
North Border currently has about 450 students. Walhalla has a K-12 school, while Neche and Pembina students attend grades K-6 at Neche and 7-12 at Pembina.
The technology levy will continue year after year, without the need for reapproval by voters, according to Defoe.
A simple majority was necessary for passage.
