Schools eager for tech money if state bonds approved

Three months before a public vote on whether the state can borrow $2 billion for school technology, most observers expect little opposition to embattled Gov. Andrew Cuomo's pet project.

"People will see it as free money for their schools," said Michael Borges, executive director of the New York State Association of School Business Officials. "Who is going to run away from money?"

Of course, the money wouldn't be free. If the measure is approved on Election Day, the state would issue bonds and pay them off. But school districts would each get a piece of the action without having to raise local property taxes.

Some school business officials don't love the idea of the state borrowing money to buy computer tablets with a short lifespan. And some worry that state repayments could cut into other forms of education aid.

But there is widespread agreement that school districts, especially poorer ones, will support a shot of cash to update technology. At a time when Cuomo is facing intense heat over his handling of the Moreland Commission's corruption investigation, his "Smart Schools Bond Act" could be a relatively easy political score.

The 27,000-student Yonkers school system would get almost $24 million, by far the most in the region.

Yonkers Schools Superintendent Michael Yazurlo said he welcomes any funding that supports instruction. The cash-strapped school system has among the oldest and neediest facilities in the country.

"Given the constraints of the district's current budget, this funding would greatly enhance the district's efforts to increase technological capacity and transform classrooms," Yazurlo said.

Cuomo proposed the project in his State of the State address. The Legislature easily approved it as a Nov. 4 ballot measure.

The state budget included cash carrots — how much each district would get it the measure passes, based on state aid formulas. Districts in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties, not counting Yonkers, would get about $65 million combined. Seventeen districts would get more than $1 million each.

The money could be used for: equipment, from computers to whiteboards; infrastructure work that allows for high-speed broadband and wi-fi connectivity; high-tech security features; and modernizing facilities for pre-kindergarten programs.

Harry Phillips of Greenburgh, who represents Westchester, Rockland and Putnam on the state Board of Regents, said he's all for the bond act if most of the money goes to high-need schools.

"The digital divide is growing," he said.

Derickson Lawrence of Mount Vernon, chairman of the Westchester County Homeowners Coalition, a group that promotes responsible school spending, said the bond act is a sensible way to invest in education and close the technology gap.

"The state would be providing infrastructure so that kids have up-to-date technology," he said. "There's no impact on local taxes."

Even small districts struggle finding the money to give a laptop or tablet to every student, said James Kaishian, superintendent of the Briarcliff Manor school district, which would get $326,239.

"It is critical that this money is spent wisely, effectively and efficiently," he said. "This grant would be of significant help to the district."

Cuomo has set up a "Smart Schools Commission" to advise the state and districts on the best uses of educational technology. But districts would decide how to spend their money through competitive bidding. A state review board would issue criteria for local spending.

At this point, the state does not know the terms of the bonds or repayment costs. The terms will depend on the mix of projects and their various life-spans — how many districts want to renovate classroom, increase broadband, etc.

Robert Lowry, deputy director of the New York State Council of School Superintendents, said there is some concern that the state's annual payments could bite into other forms of state aid.

"Everything in the state budget competes against everything else," he said. "Many districts face basic financial challenges, and this cannot distract from addressing those needs."

Lisa Davis, executive director of the Westchester Putnam School Boards Association, agreed that bond repayments should "supplement, not replace, state aid to school districts."

At a time when many school districts can't afford to upgrade technology, the New York State School Boards Association supports putting the bond act to a public vote, spokesman David Albert said.

"In a perfect world, we probably shouldn't be bonding computer tablets," Albert said. "But if I have a choice between not having the money or funding it through this mechanism, it's more important to have it."

The Lower Hudson Regional Information Center, which provides technical services to local districts, plans to survey districts in September to see what work they are most interested in doing.

"We'll put our time and effort into those areas," said Dennis Lauro, executive director of the Lower Hudson center. "We want to have the best bids and have our staff ready to go."

Twitter: @garysternNY

District breakdown

Putnam: $8,464,967

Brewster: $1,607,265

Carmel: $2,434,123

Garrison: $78,417

Haldane: $248,055

Mahopac: $3,181,109

Putnam Valley: $915,998

Rockland: $19,358,326

Clarkstown: $2,806,902

East Ramapo: $6,105,668

Nanuet: $670,759

North Rockland: $5,294,721

Nyack: $928,987

Pearl River: $876,023

Ramapo Central: $1,646,123

South Orangetown: $1,029,143

Westchester: $61,742,607

Ardsley: $577,595

Bedford: $624,371

Blind Brook: $195,893

Briarcliff Manor: $326,239

Bronxville: $172,631

Byram Hills: $333,850

Chappaqua: $686,946

Croton-Harmon: $346,133

Dobbs Ferry: $367,973

Eastchester: $477,302

Edgemont: $302,038

Elmsford: $234,005

Greenburgh: $451,876

Harrison: $430,913

Hastings: $449,874

Hendrick Hudson: $569,117

Irvington: $277,051

Katonah-Lewisboro: $707,779

Lakeland: $3,648,705

Mamaroneck: $536,892

Mount Pleasant: $514,684

Mount Vernon: $7,961,129

New Rochelle: $3,527,277

North Salem: $230,261

Ossining: $1,486,507

Peekskill: $3,202,505

Pelham: $502,942

Pleasantville: $432,564

Pocantico Hills: $101,145

Port Chester: $1,736,663

Rye: $286,640

Rye Neck: $174,995

Scarsdale: $444,960

Somers: $713,823

Tarrytowns: $853,540

Tuckahoe: $222,837

Valhalla: $457,847

White Plains: $1,746,127

Yonkers: $23,965,851

Yorktown: $1,463,127

New York City: $783,141,339

State total: $2 billion