The Smart Schools Bond Act of 2014 was passed in the 2014-15 enacted budget and approved by the voters in a statewide referendum held during the 2014 general election. This bond act authorized the issuance of $2 billion of general obligation bonds to finance improved educational technology and infrastructure to improve learning and opportunity for students throughout the state.
2021 Investment Plan
The total amount allocated to Cambridge CSD is $914,980. This amount will be reimbursed to the district by New York State after approved expenses under the plan have been incurred. There is no time limit on the purchases to be reimbursed and there is no requirement to expend all the funds at one time. The District Technology Committee reviewed the District’s needs and determined that a portion of the funds (Phase I) could be utilized to replace wireless student devices, staff work stations, and classroom display screens that will all support remote and in person classroom instruction and learning.
Preconditions
As a precondition to utilizing the SSBA allocations, each district has ensured that there is adequate internet bandwidth (equal to or exceeding 100 Mbps per 1,000 students) to sustain computer-based initiatives. The district’s current internet bandwidth meets the SSBA requirements. The district procures internet service through the BOCES North East Regional Information Center (NERIC).
Plan Goals
The goals for the Smart Schools Bond allocation closely align to the district’s technology plan. The technology plan goals include:
- Continue to provide accessibility of computers for students by replacing end of life one-to-one devices to continue to support student learning initiatives.
- Update teacher computers and classroom presentation illumination monitors and devices. Update administrators and support staff computer workstations.
- Review new technologies that will continue to promote student-centered learning.
The SSBA allocation will specifically focus on:
- Replacing one-to-one Chromebooks for students.
- Updating teacher classroom computers and classroom presentation illumination monitors.
- Update support staff computers.
Purchase Plan & Allocations
In alignment with the approved 2022-2025 district technology plan, the district plans to utilize SSBA allocations as described below for the SSBA allowable expenditure budget category areas.
- Classroom Technology: $538,064
- Total Phase 1 Expenditures: $538,064
- Unallocated Funds Available for Phase 2: $376,916
Classroom Technology
To support the district’s ongoing one-to-one device initiative for students, the district has implemented Chromebooks as an instructional tool for grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. The district plans to purchase 750 Dell 3100 2-in-1- 11.6″ Chromebooks with 4 GB RAM with touchscreen capability to replace current end of life Chromebooks. They will be purchased with the Chrome OS management license so that they can be added to the district’s existing G Suite for Education domain.
To support student learning activities, the district plans to upgrade the teachers’ desktop computers and presentation illumination devices in the classrooms. The support staff computers will also be updated. The district plans to purchase 100 21.5 inch Dell OptiPlex 3280 All in One Series with 8 Gb memory, quoted at $884 per unit, and 10 Apple 21.5 inch iMac computers with 8 Gb of memory quoted at $1,049 per unit. These devices will be used to replace our current desktops which were purchased and deployed in 2015 and are now reaching the end of their life. The district also plans to purchase 30 SMART Board 6075S interactive display LCD panels with an overboard rail mounting system, quoted cost is $5,164 including the mounting rails. SMART Boards to be used as illumination monitors for teacher and student classroom presentation needs and are replacing our current SMART Boards which were purchased in 2012.
- Interactive Whiteboards/Classroom Monitors: $154,920
- Computer Servers: $0
- Desktop Computers: $98,890
- Laptop Computers $0
- Tablet Computers: $284,250
- Other Cost/Classroom Display Screens: $0
- Total: $538,060
Professional Development
The district recognizes the need to provide targeted, rigorous and sustained professional development for staff and students to effectively support technology. The following means of staff development are critical to the success of the technology plan: Existing staff with expertise have been hired to present seminars on applicable software to enhance the curriculum. This model has been successful and will be continued. The technology coordinator provides assistance to teachers and staff with implementation of technology integration into curriculum. Provide resources for teachers interested in the integration of technology into their curriculum area and assist them in generating projects in which technology can be used as a tool in education. The WSWHE BOCES Model Schools program is also a resource for technology integration. The plan includes exploring this service for use in staff development. The district runs afterschool professional development courses throughout the school year in technology that are facilitated by the technology coordinator. District superintendent conference days are also used for professional development in educational technology. Provide ongoing instruction for all personnel as it applies to their roles in the district. Expect staff to serve as role models for the Cambridge community in the use of technology.
Sustainability
The district is committed to the expansion of use of mobile devices in the classroom, particularly in the area of Chromebook use at the Junior/Senior High School and elementary level. Money has been allocated in the technology budget for the past two years for the purchase of computer devices. The district made a commitment this year to continue allocating money in the budget to continue to support this initiative over the next several years. The district is also committed to integrating the mobile devices purchased into the regular equipment upkeep/replacement cycle.
Plan Timeline
- Aug. 12, 2021: Preliminary Smart Schools Investment Plan approved by the Board of Education
- Aug. 13, 2021: Preliminary Smart Schools Investment Plan posted on our website for public comment
- Sept. 9, 2021: Public Hearing at the Board of Education meeting to present/discuss the preliminary Smart Schools Investment Plan
- Oct. 14, 2021: Final plan approved by the Board of Education
- Oct. 22, 2021: Smart Schools Investment Plan submitted to the State Education Department for approval
- Spring 2022: Plan approved by the Smart Schools review committee with the plan updates listed below
Provisioning & Distribution Timeline
- June 2022: Purchase the requested equipment; 750 Chromebooks, 30 SMART Boards and 100 Dell AIO desktop computers
- July/August 2022: CCS technology staff will set up and deploy the 750 Chromebooks into classroom charging and storage stations. CCS technology and BOCES technical support staff will set up and install 100 Dell staff workstations and the 30 new SMART Boards into classrooms.
Plan Updates
Instead of purchasing iMacs, the district utilized the funds to purchase more Dell All-in-One PCs. Instead of purchasing SMART Boards, the district purchased Promethean Boards.