At a recent meeting of the Farmingdale Board of Education, school district superintendent John Lorentz discussed New York State’s proposal to invest $2 billion into districts statewide
through the Smart Schools Bond Act.
If approved by voters in the upcoming general elections, the act would allow the state to borrow $2 billion in the form of a capital bond to provide students with access to classroom
technology and high-speed internet connectivity, with the goal of equalizing opportunities for children to learn, adding classroom space, expanding pre-kindergarten programs, replacing classroom trailers with permanent instructional space and installing high-tech security features in schools.
“There is some thought that we’d have coordination with Nassau BOCES on this,” Lorentz said, “but this is based on whether the bond will be approved by the public.”
According to Lorentz, after meeting with other district superintendents in the area regarding a vote on the Smart Schools Bond Act, the financial distribution of the bond remains unclear at this point.
However, based on proposed allocations, Farmingdale could receive as much as $2,908,802, if the bond is approved. The proposed allocations of the $2 billion bond are calculated based on the amount of state aid funding provided to each district.
Lorentz said that if the bond is approved, the district would use the funds to build more classroom space in the schools.
Ultimately, voters will determine the fate of the Smart Schools Bond Act, when they cast their ballots on Nov. 4, deciding whether or not school districts will receive the additional funds.
—With reporting by Gary Simeone
