Late debate over Cuomo's $2 billion school-tech plan

• %242 billion bond act would fund school tech%2C connectivity%2C security and pre-K space
• Gov. Cuomo announced plans in his State of the State address
• Critics say plan is inefficient and not based on real analysis of school needs
• Mount Vernon Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton%3A %22This is a huge step for Mount Vernon.%22

In the final days before Election Day, supporters and critics of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's $2 billion bond act to fund school technology are stepping forward to sway voters.

Some school officials, politicians and the statewide teachers union NYSUT are among those contending that the bond act — Proposition 3 — would help close the technology gap between affluent and needier school districts.

But critics say the bond act is a Cuomo political ploy and a poorly conceived way to fund limited school needs.

At a rally Wednesday outside the Mount Vernon school district offices, Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton called the bond act a one-time opportunity to help give students in his money-strapped district some of what students have in neighboring districts. Mount Vernon would get about $8 million if the proposition passes.

"Our children are quite behind in terms of access," he said. "This is a huge step for Mount Vernon."

Derickson Lawrence, a Mount Vernon resident who is chairman of the Westchester County Homeowners Coalition, said the funding could provide long-lasting infrastructure and give Mount Vernon bargaining power with vendors.

"We won't have to go back to the well of taxes, and we can equalize opportunity for students," he said.

NYSUT plans to start airing a TV commercial Friday that supports the bond act. Spokesman Carl Korn said every district would benefit from approval of the spending plan, "which would be especially helpful in high-needs and rural school districts."

Opponents of the bond act say that borrowing $2 billion to pay for computers and other items with limited life spans would be an unprecedented move that has not been supported by analysis.

Nicholas Tampio of Mamaroneck, an associate professor of political science at Fordham University who has tried to incite opposition to the bond act, said money from the bond act will ultimately tie districts to the state's agenda. The state Education Department's goal, he said, is for districts to prepare for online tests aligned to the Common Core.

"School districts face a choice: Submit investment plans that (state Education Commissioner) John King wants or relinquish any chance of having the plan approved," Tampio said. "And what John King wants is the technological infrastructure to support online Common Core testing."

If the bond act is approved, each district would be eligible to receive a set amount based on the state's aid formula. But districts would need to have spending plans approved by a high-powered review board consisting of King, SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher and state Budget Director Robert Megna.

If the proposition passes, school districts in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties would be eligible for close to $90 million. New York City would get $783 million.

E.J. McMahon, president of the Empire Center, a conservative think tank in Albany, has been the most prominent critic of the bond act. He said Cuomo has no research that proves New York needs to borrow $2 billion for school tech.

"There was no assessment of need and no one asked for this," he said. "This is the most ill-conceived and wasteful bond act to be put in front of New York voters in 30 or 40 years."

He noted that the state Board of Regents, which sets educational policy, has not endorsed the bond act.

"The governor treats the need for this as self-evident: Tech is good," McMahon said.

Cuomo announced the initiative in his State of the State address and got the backing of the state Legislature. The bond act is supposed to pay for: equipment such as whiteboards and computers; Internet connectivity; renovations to facilities for pre-kindergarten programs; or high-tech security features.

A report issued Tuesday by a Cuomo-appointed commission also said that districts could use funds for Internet connectivity for community projects that affect public libraries and students' homes.

Critics have questioned Cuomo's choice of Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google, to lead the commission, saying he has a clear interest in New York schools buying Chromebooks and other products.

Several local school districts have mentioned the bond act on their websites or in emails to parents. While some have taken a neutral tone, others appear to have gently endorsed the proposition.

A note from Mamaroneck Schools Superintendent Robert Shaps, for instance, notes that the bond act would support the district's focus on technology and adds that "There seem to be no strings attached for school districts and no required local financial contributions." A similar note from Carmel Superintendent James Ryan says districts "may consider Smart Schools funding as a way to close the technology gap."

The cost to the state of borrowing the money is undetermined, according to Cuomo's office. The life of the bonds issued would depend on how school districts decide to use the money.

Twitter: @garysternNY