Computer software and hardware needs, technology training for staff, a telephone voicemail system, security around the high school and building modernization are some of the projects South Whidbey school district officials hope to fund with a $550,000 two-year capital projects levy next year.

Voters will be asked to on Feb. 7 to support that levy, as well as a reoccurring $3.4 million maintenance-and-operations levy. The maintenance-and-operations levy will be used to pay for teacher’s salaries, bus drivers and the regular, reoccurring costs of keeping schools open.

Without approval of the operations levy, the district would face serious program cuts, officials say.

The South Whidbey Board of Education adopted two resolutions this week calling for the levies.

The estimated tax rate on the M&O levy is $1.24 per $1,000 of assessed property value, a drop of 10 cents from this year’s levy rate.

“Now that the resolutions are approved by the board, we can start developing the specifics of the campaign,” said Bob Brown, superintendent of the South Whidbey School District.

The capital projects levy includes $125,000 for building maintenance and modernization, and $425,000 for technology improvements, upgrades and teacher training.

“We considered a transportation levy, but believe we need to get the district’s technology caught back up,” Brown said.

Some of the building improvements being considered include a new roof at the Primary School, asphalt in the Langley Middle School front parking lot, painting the interior of Bayview School and the community room at the Intermediate School and improved security at South Whidbey High School. That may include fencing, lighting and cameras.

“We’ve had quite a bit of vandalism this year at the high school,” Brown said.

South Whidbey voters have history of supporting their school levies.

In 2002, 71 percent of those who voted supported a $3.2 million levy, and in 2004, 70 percent of the voters said OK to a $3.4 million levy and a $500,000 capital projects levy to finance needed repairs of the district’s buildings.