Technology upgrades would be funded by Prop A
Without raising the current tax rate, Prop A, on the November 4, 2025, ballot, would help the Mehlville School District fund recurring technology costs that help keep students safe and make sure they are prepared for life after graduation.
The Mehlville School District Technology Services Department spends about $450,000 per year to maintain and replace wireless controllers, network switches, firewalls, servers, data storage and the phone operating system. Without raising the current tax rate, funds generated by Prop A would help to ensure that the district has dedicated funds to support this technology infrastructure, even in times of economic hardship.
Safety and security
The district made a significant investment in security cameras following the community’s approval of Prop S, which focused on safety, in 2021. There are now nearly 750 security cameras covering the interior and exterior of schools districtwide.
“That many cameras requires significant technology infrastructure with data storage of all of the recorded footage, as well as ethernet power to each camera,” said Dr. John DeWalle, Director of Curricular Technology, Student Safety and Organizational Planning.
Additionally, the district’s firewalls help prevent unauthorized access to our networks and data.
Image: A screen at Washington Middle School shows camera angles in different hallways and in the parking lot.
Student preparedness
Significant technology infrastructure also plays an important role in student success. Each of the Mehlville School District’s nearly 10,000 students uses a Chromebook daily. That requires a lot of network bandwidth as students complete assignments online. It also requires access points throughout our schools to make sure students stay connected when moving around the classroom.
Image: Engineering Essentials students at Mehlville High School collaborate to design and build a kit that would help someone survive a natural disaster.
Learn more about Prop A
The Mehlville School District Board of Education voted unanimously Aug. 21, 2025, to place a levy on the November 4, 2025, ballot that would not increase the current tax rate. Called Proposition A, the levy would fund the upkeep of school roofs, buses, parking lots, technology and safety systems, and HVAC – preserving and protecting district facilities for generations of students.
Proposition A would generate an estimated $1.4 million annually for recurring maintenance needs and requires voter approval in the November 4, 2025, election.
Visit the Prop A section of our website to learn more about Prop A, including answers to frequently asked questions.