BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON – The Canton Central School District has been awarded nearly $1 million for school technology and security improvements.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced recipients of Smart Schools Bond Act recipients that included Canton Central and the Brasher Falls Central School District

The Canton school district received $931,280 earmarked for class technology enhancements and $23,250 in non-public school allocations for the Little River School and St. Catherine of Siena Academy.

“The money will be used over a period of years. We will purchase replacement chromebooks for students to maintain our 1:1 initiative,” stated Ronald Burke, Canton’s superintendent of schools. “Faculty will receive new replacement desktop or laptop computers.”

Burke added that depending upon faculty preferences and needs, some classrooms will be outfitted with large monitors while others will have interactive display boards.

“The significance of this awarding of money through the Smart School Bond Act is that the entire cost is covered by the grant,” Burke said. “We have been utilizing our BOCES purchasing service to acquire many of these devices which leaves a local cost of approximately 20 percent.”

The Smart Schools funding is allocated on a reimbursement basis.

The Brasher Falls school district was awarded grants of $198,012 and $387,526 for high-tech security improvements, according to the governor’s press release.

"Investing in our children's education is critical to not only building foundations for individual success, but ensuring our future leaders are prepared to guide New York forward," Governor Hochul said. "The Smart Schools Bond Act supports schools across New York State in that effort by providing students with a safe, secure and enlightening environment."

The Smart Schools Review Board recently met for the 20th time to consider investment plans submitted by school districts and special education schools. The Board is composed of the New York State Budget Director, the Chancellor of the State University of New York, and the Commissioner of the New York State Education Department.