After $100K in damages, Hempfield Area to charge students insurance on borrowed computers

Hempfield Area School District officials want students to be more careful with their school-issued Chromebooks.

After shelling out a whopping $107,000 in repair costs last school year, the district announced families will have to pay for a damage insurance policy this year to be able to take one of the computers home.

“Some of the ways we get these thing back, it’s disrespectful, really,” school board member Mike Alfery said during a meeting this week. “I just don’t want people to think that these are just things they can throw around just because somebody else owns it.”

The new rules, laid out in a letter posted on the district’s website, states that students in third through 12th grade will have the option to request a district-issued Chromebook or use a personal computer in the upcoming year. Students in kindergarten through second grade will use district-provided Chromebooks at school only.

If a student in third through 12th grade chooses to use a district Chromebook, they are required to pay for an annual, non-refundable insurance policy, which costs $25 for a single student, or $40 for two students and $60 for three or more students. The fee helps cover unintentional and non-negligent damage.

Students could be charged for costs of any damage considered to be intentional or negligent.

“We’re hoping this practice will reduce the amount of damage that was incurred this past school year,” Superintendent Tammy Wolicki said.

Last year, more Chromebooks were distributed as students participated in online learning because of the covid-19 pandemic. However, repair costs were significantly higher than those incurred in a normal year, which is typically around $35,000.

District leaders are asking parents and guardians of students in third through 12th grade to respond to a survey indicating if their student will request a Chromebook or use a personal device. The deadline for completing the survey is July 30. However, students will be able to request a district-issued Chromebook at a later date, if needed.

Regardless of which option is chosen, students are required a sign a digital form stating they have read the district’s policy regarding acceptable uses of the internet, computers and its network.

Any questions regarding the changes should be directed to school principals.