Six Long Island school districts are in line for almost $7 million in funding under the state’s new Smart Schools program, a $2 billion effort to close the so-called “digital divide” of technology and broadband access.
“As technology continues to shape the landscape of our economy, we must re-imagine our classrooms into modern centers of learning so that our students are prepared for the jobs that meet the demands of tomorrow,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in announcing the grants. “With this bold initiative, we are taking an important step towards strengthening our learning environment and connecting students in every corner of the state with the opportunities necessary to succeed in the 21st century economy.”
The Long Island funding was part of $45 million for 52 projects around the state, including $26 million for classroom technology purchases, $15 million for school connectivity projects, $4 million for high-tech security projects, and $23,000 for community connectivity projects. The Long Island districts and funding are:
Bellmore-Merrick – $2,058,269
Carle Place – $374,275
Cold Spring Harbor – $306,709
Island Park – $236,888
Massapequa – $2,085,677
West Babylon – $1,960,000
