Yesterday, voters across New York State passed the Smart Schools Bond Act, also known as Proposal 3, with 62% of the vote in favor. The Act would allow the state to borrow (from bond investors) up to $2 billion for school capital projects, including:
- computers, servers, interactive whiteboards, tablets, high speed Internet, wireless Internet
- high-tech security systems
- new pre-K classrooms
- the replacement of classroom trailers.
Of this $2 billion, New York City would receive approximately $783 million, with roughly $310 million expected to go to Pre-K programs and the remainder to other capital projects. The Act was structured so that both public and nonpublic schools, including parochial schools and academies, would be eligible to receive these funds.