New York Voters Approve Smart Schools Bond Act

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York voters have agreed to let the state borrow $2 billion so school districts can buy computers, connect to the Internet, improve security and build classrooms for prekindergarten students.

The Smart Schools Bond Act was Proposal 3 on Tuesday's ballot.

With its passage, the state is authorized to sell up to $2 billion in bonds. Each of New York's 700 school districts will be eligible for a set amount based on the state aid formula, but districts will have to clear their plans to spend it with a state review board.

Supporters see the measure proposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo as a way to close the technology gap between wealthy and poorer school districts.

Critics say the state's debt burden is high enough.