Smart Schools Bond Act (SSBA)

BACKGROUND            INTENT            ELIGIBILITY            FILING            PAYMENT           ​ RESOURCES            ​ ACRONYM GLOSSARY ​
Background
This NYS legislation was passed in the 2014 – ‘15 Enacted Budget and approved by the voters in a statewide referendum on Nov. 4, 1014.

The NYS Smart School Bond Act authorized the issuance of $2 billion of bonds to finance improved educational technology and infrastructure.
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Intent
To improve current learning opportunities for NYS K-12 students as well as future employment potential in the 21st Century job market.
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Usage
Categories of eligible Capital Projects for which the SSBA allocations can be applied are defined as:
  1. Installing high-speed broadband or wireless internet connectivity for schools and communities;
  2. Acquiring learning technology equipment or facilities, including but not limited to interactive whiteboards, computer servers, and desktop, laptop, and tablet computers;
  3. Constructing, enhancing, and modernizing educational facilities to accommodate pre-kindergarten programs and provide instructional space to replace classroom trailers; and
  4. Installing high-tech security features in school buildings and on school campuses, including but not limited to video surveillance, emergency notification systems, and physical access controls.
SSBA funds may not be used for technical support. Districts are encouraged to work through BOCES for technical support.
 
Districts should consider leveraging available E-Rate Category 1 and 2 funds to which they may be entitled to supplement Smart Schools Bond Act funds committed for wired and wireless connectivity.​
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Eligibility
The 2014-15 Enacted State Budget included a methodology to calculate the Smart Schools Bond Act allocation amount for each eligible school district. Eligible school districts are those that receive Foundation Aid. The amount is proportional to the district’s share of total formula-based school aid in the 2013-14 school year, excluding Building Aid, Universal Prekindergarten Aid, and the Gap Elimination Adjustment.

Example: If a district receives 2% of this total State school aid, the school district’s Smart Schools Bond Act allocation would be $40 million (0.02 × $2,000,000,000).
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Filing
  1. An SSBA Project Review Board must review and approve the Districts’ Smart Schools Investment Plans (SSIPs) before any funds are made available.
  2. SSIPs are developed by a District’s SSIP team based on current conditions and the District’s five-year objectives.
  3. A preliminary SSIP must be approved at a Board Of Education (BOE) meeting with a Plan summary posted to the district’s website for a 30-day public review period. During that time the BOE must include public input during a BOE meeting.
  4. The BOE approves the preliminary SSIP after the 30-day review period at which point it becomes final.
  5. District submits SSIP and data via NYSED portal.
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Payment
  • NYSED reviews SSIP and approves, declines with recommended revisions, or rejects. Turnaround time varies but is typically 3 - 6 mos. from time of submission to approval.
  • Funds are paid to the district at the start of the academic year (7.1) after NYSED approval. That means if approval is received 7.15.21, the district wouldn’t get the funds until 7.1.22.
Once an approved purchase is made and the request for reimbursement is received and approved, the New York State Education Department will authorize payment and the funds will be paid to districts within 90 days in most cases.

​A school district should allow appropriate time after the Smart School Investment Plan approval for submission of the claim, and the review and reimbursement process to take place. Any Smart Schools Bond Act receivable resulting from the claim should be recorded in a manner consistent with the school district’s revenue recognition policy.
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Note that New York State Education Dept. (NYSED) is still issuing guidelines for use of NYS's $7.9 billion allocated in the American Rescue Plan (ARP) passed by U.S. Congress in March 2021. Currently, available district funds must be spent by Sept. 30, 2024, although a deadline extension is possible. Sign up to be notified when significant content updates are posted.
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