The proposed funding in the Capital Plan will allow the DOE to continue to incorporate and maximize the impact of technology into all aspects of the students' and educators' everyday activities. The Plan's technology initiatives over the five years of the Plan will marry digital technologies with thoughtful architecture and learning solutions, challenging traditional ideas about where and how learning takes place. It will enable the effective use of the information and communications technology systematically embedded across the Department in policy and in practice- a move that is bound to position its schools to be a leader in the use of new technologies and empower teachers to tailor individualized instruction using technology.

The School Construction Authority implements the building upgrades associated with these technology initiatives, and the Department of Education's Division of Instructional and Information Technology (DIIT) manages the technology work. To find out more about these technology initiatives please visit the DIIT website.

In addition to new school buildings and additions, the SCA invests millions of capital dollars annually to maintain and upgrade existing school buildings. Every year, the SCA manages a team of architects and engineers who visit every school to assess and rate existing building systems. Those systems rated as being in the worst condition are contemplated to be included in the Capital Plan as new projects. One primary goal is to make sure that our existing aging buildings are watertight. In order to accomplish this goal, those exterior systems that are rated poorly are prioritized to be replaced.

In a five year capital plan funding is provided for thousands of interior and exterior projects. They include new roofs, parapets, and/or windows as well as hundreds of upgrades to electrical systems, heating plants and climate controls. Other projects such as new science labs, kitchen and other room upgrades enhance the learning environment for our students. To ensure that this work does not disrupt the learning process, our contractors perform most of this work after normal school hours.

Resolution "A" (Reso "A") projects are school specific capital improvement or enhancement projects that are funded through individual grants which are allocated by the Borough Presidents or members of the New York City Council. These projects are very important to the school community because they provide enhancements and upgrades to existing facilities. The most common Reso "A" projects are upgrades to a school's technology, auditorium, playground, science Lab and other specialty classrooms. The SCA has also been able to utilize Reso "A" funding to complete some unique and innovative projects such as a Challenger Space Center, an Edible Schoolyard (farm), planetarium upgrade and Green roofs. The SCA is grateful to our elected officials for entrusting us with this capital funding that has led to numerous enhancements in schools throughout the City.

​With over 1,500 schools and 1.1 million students, the New York City public education system is the biggest and oldest in the country. Our city has a proud history of commitment to public education since the creation of the Board of Education in 1843. When the boroughs consolidated in 1898, standardization of its architecture, construction and maintenance was overseen by the Division of School Buildings and, later, in 1989, by the New York City School Construction Authority. With this oversight comes a responsibility to honor and preserve the architectural integrity of hundreds of historic school buildings. New York City has more than 200 schools that were built more than 90 years ago.

The SCA works closely with the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to ensure that all proposed school work conforms with standards appropriate for the age of the buildings. Design plans are submitted to SHPO for determination of eligibility in the National Register of Historic Places. If eligible, all work to be done is reviewed by the State. This process ensures that the rich architectural history of New York City public education buildings is preserved for generations to come.