Statement by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer on School Technology Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

“My office is taking action today to amend citywide regulations on the use of tablets in city schools in order to facilitate remote learning for students.

“We are in a moment where aggressive action on all fronts is necessary to combat the spread of coronavirus and protect New Yorkers. In the event of school closures, many New York City households without access to broadband will require devices to continue learning.

“Under new guidance issued by my office, capital funds can now be used to acquire tablets to be taken home by students. We’re taking every step we can to prepare responsibly for a transition to remote learning for our students if schools close, and my office is fully committed to doing everything in our power to help our teachers, students, and parents.”

Background:

In June 2019, the Comptroller released a revision to Directive 10 to permit the purchase of tablets with City capital funds, subject to the condition that the tablets not leave the building in which they are housed. The Directive is now amended to permit the use of capital funds to acquire tablets to be taken home by students during a temporary period commencing with the effective date of the Comptroller’s Memorandum. The DOE has agreed to ensure that enrollment protocols in its mobile device management tracking system with geo location and last known location features are followed for each laptop permitted to leave the building.”

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