The voters in New York Mills have spoken - they want technology, and they want it now.
Voters approved the school district's $75 per student operating levy referendum with 59 percent of the votes Nov. 8.
In all, 607 residents showed up to the polls to cast their ballots - 362 of those people voted yes, while 245 residents sent a message to the district that they weren't convinced.
The technology referendum will be added to the district's operating levy of $450 per student, passed by voters last year.
The difference between last year's levy and this year's is the area in which the money will be spent.
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Superintendent Todd Cameron said news of the technology levy passing is exciting - especially for the students.
"I'm elated, excited and very thankful to the taxpayers," Cameron said just after he learned the levy had passed.
Cameron and members of the school board campaigned for this levy with a promise that it would be used to benefit children's experience at school with enhanced technology, and that's just what he intends to do.
"This is for technology, and I promise the taxpayers that they can bank on that," he said. "The school board and administration will use that wisely to prepare students for life. That's our motto."
NY Mills schools have taken a serious stance on the need for up-to-date technology in the classrooms, as they see it as a way to prepare students for life outside the school's walls.
The technology levy will bring in around $50,000 over the course of four years, or roughly $4,000 per classroom.
While the specifics regarding the exact use of the funding are not yet set, the technology committee, comprised of teachers and administration, have discussed possible district-wide wireless internet, updated computer labs and other technology that would benefit students in the classroom.
For now, Cameron and other members of the district are pleased that they have a community behind them as they move ahead.
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"We're elated, but we're certainly humbled a bit as well," Cameron said. "But, I'm ready to celebrate."
