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Syosset board approves modified Smart Schools plan to add Promethean displays for classrooms
Summary
The Board of Education approved a Smart Schools Investment Plan amendment to use state Smart Schools funds toward Promethean interactive displays and to append additional elementary purchases; the district will cover remaining costs in next year’s budget.
The Syosset Central School District Board of Education voted to adopt a modified Smart Schools Investment Plan that uses state Smart Schools funds to purchase Promethean interactive display boards for classrooms and directs staff to append the district's posted plan to include additional elementary purchases.
The revised plan, presented by Dr. Rosemary Ruffo, associate superintendent for business, allocates Smart Schools Bond funds to offset part of the cost of Promethean boards. Dr. Ruffo told the board the district was allocated about $1,200,000 in Smart Schools funding and that an earlier preliminary plan had allocated roughly $810,000 toward Promethean boards for the high school. Under the proposal discussed before the vote, district staff said Smart Schools monies would cover approximately $265,650 to buy 46 Promethean boards; the district would plan to fund the remaining classroom displays in the 2023–24 budget to fully outfit elementary classrooms.
Board members discussed whether to repackage requests — including flexible classroom furniture and additional elementary displays — before formal adoption. PPS director Miss Goldway explained that “flexible” furniture is not a single solution and that any districtwide furniture program requires differentiated planning and teacher/principal input. Dr. Curry, the superintendent designee leading the technology discussion, said middle schools are already fully outfitted with Promethean boards and that a unified technology approach helps teachers prepare consistent lessons across classrooms.
After discussion, Lisa moved to approve the Smart Schools Investment Plan as modified; Susan seconded, and the chair called for and received the ayes. The board directed administration to append the posted plan to include the agreed elementary Promethean purchases and to finalize the plan for submission in accordance with the Smart Schools comment and adoption process.
The board did not provide a roll-call tally on the record; the motion passed by voice vote. The administration said the Smart Schools investment plan may be modified during the state’s comment period and that any final plan and post-adoption modifications will be posted to the district website.
