Yorktown, Lakeland, Somers Schools Could Apply for Technology Funding Under $2 Billion Bond Proposition on November Ballot

New Yorkers will be asked in November to vote on a statewide $2 billion bond that would raise money for school technology. That would include classroom and security initiatives.

In the Yorktown district the proposed allocation is $1,463,127, in Somers it would be $713,823 and in Lakeland the allocation would be $3,648,705, according to the state’s Smart Schools website.

The Rockland Board of Cooperative Educational Services has this description on its website:

First proposed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in his 2014 State of the State address, the proposition calls for an investment of $2 billion in schools for classroom technology, high-tech security, high-speed internet connectivity and enhanced or modernized facilities to accommodate pre-kindergarten programs.

Local districts may consider Smart Schools funding as a way to close the technology gap. Each district will be allocated a share of the monies, based on a state aid formula. Click here to view estimated allocations on the Governor’s website.

Districts will be required to submit a detailed “Smart Schools Investment Plan” for review by the Smart Schools Review Board. Grants will be released to individual districts once their plans have been approved.

With regard to funding, New York State would issue and pay off the bonds to fund the Smart Schools Grants. Terms have not yet been determined. However, if the bond act passes, equipment purchases would have to be made via cooperative bidding.

The Smart Schools Bond Act will be listed as Proposition 3 on the November 4 ballot.