Overview
Smart Schools Bond Act of 2014
- Approved by voters in a statewide referendum in November 2014
- Authorized the issuance of $2 billion to finance improved educational technology and infrastructure
- $2,189,224 allocated to HFCSD
Eligible Capital Projects
- Install high-speed broadband or wireless internet connectivity for schools and communities;
- Acquire learning technology equipment or facilities, including but not limited to interactive whiteboards, computer servers, desktops, laptops and tablets;
- Construct, enhance and modernize facilities to accommodate PreK programs and to provide instructional space to replace classroom trailers; and/or
- Install high-tech security features in school buildings and on school campuses, including video surveillance, emergency notification systems and physical access controls.
Effective Plans
- Link district’s educational planning and technology
investments long-term - Provide opportunities beyond the classroom through the
use of technology - Address the educational needs of all students, including
students with disabilities, English language learners and
those who have not succeeded in the traditional classroom
settings
State Review Process
- SSIP submitted through the Business portal for review by Smart Schools Review Board
- No specific deadline for submissions
- Plans must be approved in order to request reimbursement for an approved purchase
- NYSED authorizes payment within 90 days
HFCSD Preliminary Plan
Tech Plan Goals
- Provide alternative instructional methodologies with a 1:1
implementation - Sustain and plan for PD as a means to building learning and
leadership throughout the district - Ubiquitous access to technology
- Support our technology infrastructure based on new tech developments and network inventory lifecycle
Purchase Plan
- Upgrade the network infrastructure to support increased device security and usage
- Purchase/refresh devices to facilitate our 1:1 implementation
- Create interactive technology spaces which promote collaborative and innovative learning
Costs
- Tablets
- Projected cost: $300
- Proposed purchase number: 1,000
- Projected cost: $300,000
- SMARTBoard 6000
- Projected cost: $5,000
- Proposed purchase number: 250
- Projected cost: $1,250,000
- Makerspace
- Projected cost: $10,000
- Projected cost: $10,000
- Cisco Telepresence
- Projected cost: $30,000
- Proposed purchase number: 1
- Projected cost: $30,000
- Flat Panel Displays
- Projected cost: $1,000
- Proposed purchase number: 3 to 5
- Projected cost: $3,000 to $5,000
- Servers
- Projected cost: $12,500
- Proposed purchase number: 8
- Projected cost: $100,000
- Router
- Projected cost: $1,500
- Proposed purchase number: 2
- Projected cost: $3,000
- Firewall
- Projected cost: $2,000
- Proposed purchase number: 2
- Projected cost: $4,000
- Total: $2,170,000
Next steps
- BOE approval of preliminary Smart Schools Investment Plan
- Community sharing of draft SSIP (website)
- A public hearing allowing District stakeholders to respond to the draft plan (General BOE meeting)
- Final SSIP approval by the BOE
- Submission of the plan to NYSED Business Portal
- Amendments resulting in more than 25% of budget expenditures would require public posting for two weeks