The Natick Public Schools worked diligently for three years prior to the implementation of the laptop program to research best practices employed by school districts across the nation. As a result of interviewing leaders in these districts, we developed the following procedures to ensure the success of the program from a safety, service, and hardware standpoint. These procedures ensure that students have continuous and high-quality access to the laptop as a learning tool at all times.
Insurance
- Insuring all laptops was not cost effective for the district and did not make good financial sense. Based on our research, the cost of insurance far exceeds our actual repair costs.
- Laptops are covered by the town insurance while in school, but this policy comes with a $5000 deductible. One incident on-site impacting multiple machines is when this would come into play.
Annual Laptop Fee
Natick established a $50 annual fee for the following reasons:
- Stocking of spare parts.
- To help cover the cost of out of warranty repairs.
- On-site service: Software updates, troubleshooting and stocking of loaner equipment.
- Annual subscription for GPS tracking service - Should your laptop be stolen, we are able to work with the police to activate a GPS device and recover the lost/stolen equipment.
Please note:
- The laptop fee will be collected PRIOR to laptop distribution.
- There is an on-line payment option available.
- If paying by check, please make payable to "Natick Public Schools".
- This fee will be collected annually to support the services noted above.
- The annual fee cannot be applied to Tier II or Tier III damages incurred. (See below for more information on the tiered approach for repairs.)
Annual Fee Limits
1. Family maximum fee is $100 per year.
2. Free lunch - the fee is waived.
Opt Out Option
As a family, if you decide that you do not want to take on the responsibility of your child taking home the school-issued laptop each day, you may opt-out of the take-home option. Natick Public Schools will not support the use of private computers for use on the Natick School network and will issue your child a Natick Schools laptop for use during the school day. Your child will pickup and return the laptop to the Technology Office each school day.
Chromebook Accidental Damage/Loss Policy
Tiered approach for repair and restitution:
Tier I $0
Minor wear and tear covered by annual Chromebook fee. No additional charge. |
Tier II $75
Moderate claims (e.g. damaged keyboard, hinges, battery replacement or replacing vandalized parts at the discretion of the district)
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Tier III $200
More expensive claim or extensive damage as deemed by the district (e.g. cracked screen replacement)
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Tier IV Full Value
Lost or stolen device or any device that becomes deemed unrepairable as determined by the district due to issues such as liquid damage, misuse or neglect. Cost will be for the full value of the device as deemed by the district.
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NOTE: DAMAGE TO A LAPTOP MAY INCUR REPAIR COSTS OF MORE THAN ONE TIER. FAILURE TO PAY THE ANNUAL FEE, OR FEE FOR DAMAGES, WILL RESULT IN THE LAPTOP BEING RESTRICTED TO IN-SCHOOL USE ONLY.
In addition, parents are asked to sign a laptop agreement, which includes the above tiers.
Individual Insurance
Families are welcome to investigate options for obtaining their own private insurance through their homeowners’ insurance or an independent laptop insurance company. It is our understanding that you may contract with these agencies, based on their own policies and may do so even though the Natick Public Schools is registered as the owner of the laptop.
The issue of laptops for educational use in the Natick Schools is an immense opportunity to accelerate the learning for all of our students and enhance an already strong academic program. We look forward to open communication and robust partnership between our community members, parents, students and staff in support of the program.