Clarkstown Hearing on Uses for $2 Million Smart School Bond

Clarkstown school officials invite the public to a hearing on their plans for investing $2 million from the state for instructional technology.

New York voters approved the Smart School Bond Act in November 2014 and as a result the Clarkstown Central School District was allocated to receive $2,806,902.

All New York State public school districts are required to complete and submit a District Instructional Technology Plan survey to the New York State Education Department. A precondition to utilizing the SSBA funds requires that the District must ensure adequate Internet bandwidth to further expand wireless connectivity for classrooms and additional technology devices for classrooms.

Officials want to use the money to help meet the goals set by the district’s 2015-18 Technology Plan. Specifically, the allocations would focus on:

• Expanding CCSD network Infrastructure to upgrade connectivity and speeds (Bandwidth) between CCSD schools out to the Internet.
• Expand current Wi-Fi infrastructure for Wi-Fi access points for all classrooms.
• Expand devices for CCSD Classrooms.
• Provide devices for Non-Public Schools as required by Smart Bond.

A public hearing on the matter will be held in the Chestnut Grove Administrative Building, 62 Old Middletown Rd., New City, New York at 8 p.m. Jan. 21 for the purpose of presenting and approval of the Smart Schools Investment Plan.

A copy of the plan is posted on the Clarkstown Central School District website at www.ccsd.edu. A copy of the proposed SSIP may be obtained by any resident of the District Office during business hours except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at the Business Office at 62 Old Middletown Rd.