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Friday, February 3, 2006
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Brainerd to receive more than $500,000 in class action settlement with Microsoft EDUCATION Staff Writer Thanks to a successful class action lawsuit filed against Microsoft, the Brainerd School District is expected to receive $545,000 to purchase new computer equipment and software, the Minnesota Department of Education reported this week.
This is good news for the district, which has faced a few rounds of deep budget cuts in recent years.
"It's definitely good news," said Steve Dickinson, director of business services for the district. "We're allowed to spend it over five years so we're obviously going to use it to replace budgeted items already. It's not like we're going to spend it on something we wouldn't have purchased anyway."
By the numbers
Here's a breakdown of the technology funds several area charter schools and school districts will receive as part of the $174.5 million settlement from a class action lawsuit against Microsoft, according to the Minnesota Department of Education.
Aitkin: $116,733.03
Brainerd: $544,679.01
Crosslake Community School: $8,563.43
Crosby-Ironton: $119,437.27
Emily Charter School: $11,267.67
Onamia: $95,099.11
Isle: $60,394.69
Little Falls: $231,888.58
Pequot Lakes: $105,014.65
Pierz: $99,155.47
Pillager: $80,451.14
Pillager Area Charter School: $7,436.66
Pine River-Backus: $133,634.53
Staples-Motley: $166,310.76
Verndale: $57,465.10
Wadena-Deer Creek: $131,380.99
Walker-Hackensack- Akeley: $92,394.87
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Dickinson estimated that the extra technology funds will provide about $100,000 in budget relief each year for the next five years.
The funds for technology are part of a $174.5 million settlement from a class action suit which alleged that Microsoft overcharged Minnesota consumers and businesses for certain products.
Under the terms of the 2004 court-approved settlement, any consumer or business that purchased certain Microsoft software for use in Minnesota was eligible to receive vouchers for varying dollar amounts to purchase new computer hardware or software. After the deadline for the public closed, half the value of the unclaimed vouchers was made available to the Minnesota Department of Education. The department, working with attorneys for the plaintiffs and Microsoft, established a program in which to distribute the funds.
Vouchers, varying in dollar amounts from several hundred dollars to $6.3 million, will go to the 467 school districts and charter schools. The voucher amount available to each district or charter school is based upon its percentage of the state's total free and reduced price lunch eligible students. Vouchers can be redeemed for more than 1,500 eligible products from numerous companies, including Microsoft, from now until January 27, 2012, according to the state department of education.
The settlement vouchers are intended to supplement, not supplant, current school technology budgets. Under the terms of the settlement districts cannot direct current technology funds to other areas. The money will go directly to its intended uses - such as increasing and updating software and hardware and enhancing professional development for teachers and staff.
Dickinson said the funds are to be distributed to each school building separately, depending on enrollment and the number of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch.
JODIE TWEED can be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.
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