Election Coverage 2014: Letter To The Editor – Smart Schools Technology Bond Act

Election Day is tomorrow and there is a bond on the ballot called the Smart Schools Technology Bond Act.  On the surface it sounds great, who doesn’t love the idea of more technology in our schools.  BUT, it’s not really that great an idea.  It’s a 2 billion dollar bond that will create more debt for New York State and its taxpayers.  Inevitably money will get cut from elsewhere, possibly other areas of needed school funding.  From the governors web site NYC schools would receive $783 Million in technology aid.  The balance of the 2 Billion distributed among the rest of the state. That seems a bit disproportionate.

Why not tackle the Gap Elimination Adjustment first and restore more needed funding to school districts? Allow districts to focus locally on their students needs.  Schools should be able to allocate funds and plans based on their needs and many are already doing that.  Monies to fund additional programs for students such as after school initiatives or enhanced programs may better serve students across the state.

Technology doesn’t necessarily create better learning environments or improve student performance. Technology becomes obsolete in a nanosecond these days.  In what timeframe would all these upgrades be out of date and how will the upkeep be funded?  The think tank The Empire Center for Public Policy refers to the Smart Schools Bond Act as full of “highly debatable promises.”  Considering the state’s already “enormous” debt burden, is it wise to take this debt on currently in NYS?

I’m saying NO to the Smart Schools Act tomorrow because it really doesn’t seem smart to me at all!

Michele Kustera

Huntington Resident