Geoffrey Canada, Google’s Eric Schmidt to advise state on tech spending

The state is expecting to have an extra $2 billion on hand to invest in school technology and other upgrades over the next few years, and officials are turning to Harlem Children’s Zone President Geoffrey Canada and Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt to help figure out how to spend it, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today.

Together, Canada, Schmidt, and Auburn school district superintendent Constance Evelyn will offer advice about what the state should do with the proceeds from the Smart Schools Bond Act, a referendum that will be on New York ballots this November.

New York City is expected to receive $800 million of that money. City officials laid out a vision for the funds in a five-year capital spending plan for schools released in February, which included spending $490 million on new software and infrastructure projects like adding Internet bandwidth.

Another $300 million will go toward facilities projects the city needs in order to add pre-kindergarten classrooms. The city will also be able to use some of its money to replace Transportable Classroom Units, or classroom trailers.

The state’s full statement is here.