NYS Smart Bond Act
The Smart Schools Bond Act was passed in the 2014-15 Enacted State Budget and approved by the voters in a statewide referendum held during the 2014 General Election on Tuesday, November 4, 2014. New York’s Smart Schools Bond Act (SSBA) authorized the issuance of $2 billion in general obligation bond to provide access to classroom technology and high-speed internet connectivity to equalize opportunities for children to learn as well as to support infrastructure in New York’s schools. 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 proportionate 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.
For example, if a district receives 2 percent 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). The funding available under the Smart Schools Bond Act is a one-time allocation, not an annual amount. These funds will not expire, but once they are expended, no additional funds will be made available. Riverhead’s Allocation is $2,191,853. School district allocations are available here.
For Frequently Asked Questions about the Smart Schools Bond Act please click here to review the document from NYS Department of Education.
Phase 1
ROBERT HINES, the Director of Technology, gave a presentation at the October 18th, 2016 Board of Education Meeting concerning the NEW YORK STATE SMART SCHOOLS BOND ACT.
The Smart Schools Bond Phase 1 proposal was updated according to feedback and submitted to SSBA in March 2017. Click here to read Smart Schools Investment Plan.
The Phase 1 proposal was approved as of August 2018 according to The Office of Educational Management Services at the New York State Education Department.
Throughout the 2018-2019 and the 2019-2020 School years these projects have been underway.
Phase 1 Infrastructure Projects:
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Wireless Network Expansion (Completed)
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Cisco Switch Core Infrastructure Upgrade (Completed)
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Storage Area Network Upgrade (Completed)
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Internet Firewall Replacement (Completed)
Phase 2
Christine Tona, Interim Superintendent and Robert Hines, the Director of Technology, gave a presentation at the March 9th, 2021 Board of Education Meeting concerning Phase 2 Investment Plans for the NEW YORK STATE SMART SCHOOLS BOND ACT.
The Phase 2 proposal was approved as of May 2022 according to The Office of Educational Management Services at the New York State Education Department.
Throughout the 2022-2023 School year these projects have been underway.
Phase 2 Projects :
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Interactive Flat Panels -(Completed)
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Computer Servers – (Completed)
Phase 3
ROBERT HINES, the Director of Technology, gave a presentation at the January 28, 2026 Board of Education Meeting concerning the NEW YORK STATE SMART SCHOOLS BOND ACT.
The Smart Schools Bond Phase 3 proposal outlined a plan to utilize the last of the remaining funds in our NYS SMART BOND Allocation.
The public is invited to comment on this proposed use of these funds until February 26, 2026 by sending an email to nysmartbond@riverhead.net.
On or after February 27, 2026 the Riverhead Central School District will submit its Phase 3 Investment Plans to NYS Department of Education. All comments will be reviewed prior to submittal to the NYS Department of Education.
Phase 3 Projects:
- 3D Printer Replacement – Proposed
- UPS Replacement – Proposed
- Switch Replacement – Proposed