New London-Spicer Schools has a Device Protection Plan available for students in grades 4-12 that includes a non-refundable fee of $30 per student each school year. This Device Protection Plan is optional but highly recommended to decrease the costs of repairs.  Your Device Protection Plan is not complete until you have paid the $30 fee per student and it has been processed. The Device Protection Plan must be paid before the first day of school each year or upon enrollment for your 4th-12th grade student(s). After the school year starts, you can still purchase the Device Protection Plan, but your child’s device will need to be inspected for damage and any pre-existing damage will need to be paid for in addition to the Device Protection Plan fee. To request device protection once the school year has started please fill out the In Year Device Protection Plan Request ticket on our ticketing system.

Please note: Students in grades K-3 are not required to take their devices home, and as such, the district will cover accidental damages incurred during school use for these grades. However, please be aware that this agreement is subject to reassessment, and changes may be implemented if the devices' purpose and usage are altered.

Loss or theft of school-issued devices is not covered under the Device Protection Plan and the student/guardian will be charged a full replacement cost. Cost details are at the end of this document. 

All school-issued equipment is being collected upon completion of the district’s lease agreement and must be from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The district will only accept returns of school-issued equipment.

How to Pay the Device Protection Plan:The Device Protection Plan fee can be paid on your Parent Portal account, by check to NLS Schools, or cash. Cash and checks should be submitted to your child(ren)’s building secretary. 

School Notification of Damages:
All malfunctions and damages to a school-issued device must be reported within two school days to our technology department staff in person or via our ticketing system to verify if damages can be covered by warranty.

• Accidental damages will incur a repair cost. Cost details are at the end of this document. 
• A student or guardian may not choose to deny a repair or replacement.
• Repairs that can be made at the school will be done at the school to reduce cost.
• All reasonable efforts will be made to get students a working checkout device during wait time for repairs.

Intentional Damages (not covered by the Device Protection Plan): Damages that are determined by the technology staff and/or administration to be intentional will require full payment of the repair or replacement of the device.

Overall Care
As described in our Annual Verification, devices should not be defaced in any way: no drawings, added stickers, jeweling, foods/liquids on the device. All district-issued stickers must stay on the device.

Questions or Comments?
Should you have any questions, concerns, or require further clarification, please feel free to contact Technology Assistant, Parker Stone, at 320.354.1442.

Cost Comparison for Common Chromebook Parts and Repairs

Cost of Chromebook Equipment as of (09/01/2024)

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. Has the Device Protection Plan agreement changed? The previous agreement for school-issued devices has been updated to ensure that the program is financially sustainable. The old agreement covered a household and became difficult to track members; the new agreement covers an individual student. Rising costs of maintenance and repairs necessitated a shift from the previous one-time fee structure to an annual fee system.

2. What is the new Device Protection Plan fee and who does it apply to? The new Device Protection Plan fee is $30 per student per year and is non-refundable. This annual fee applies specifically to students in grades 4 through 12.

3. How do I pay for my child(ren)’s Device Protection Plan fee? You can pay for your child(ren)’s Device Protection Plan fee through Parent Portal > Fees, by check to NLS Schools, or cash. Cash and check should be submitted to your child(ren)’s building secretary.

Please Note: Your Device Protection Plan is not completed until you have paid the $30 fee per student and it has been processed by the district office.

4. I don’t have a Parent Portal account. How do I get one? Please contact our district office for Parent Portal setup and activation instructions at 320.354.2252 ext. 2100 or visit the district office for assistance.

5. What if I already paid under the old agreement? For those who already paid under the old agreement and never incurred any technology fees, the district has issued refunds for the coverage extending beyond the current school year. If you have questions about a refund, please contact our district office at 320.354.2252 ext. 2100.

6. Does the Device Protection Plan cover intentional damages? No, the Device Protection Plan does not cover intentional damages. If the technology staff and/or administration determine that the damage is intentional, the cost of repair or replacement will be charged to the student/guardian.

7. What about students in grades K-3? For students in grades K-3, the district will cover accidental damages since these devices do not go home with the students. The district will reassess this agreement if the usage or storage of devices changes in the future.

8. What happens if a device is lost or stolen? Loss or theft of school-issued devices is not covered under the Device Protection Plan and the student/guardian will be charged a full replacement cost.

9. How are repairs handled under this agreement? Accidental damage and repairs will incur a fee ranging from $10-50 depending on the nature of the repair. Accidental damage that requires device replacement will be capped at $150. The district will attempt to repair devices at the school when possible to reduce costs.

10. Will there be any future changes to this agreement? While we aim to keep policies consistent, the district may reassess and adjust the agreement in the future to better align with financial realities and the educational needs of our students.

If you have additional questions or need further clarification, please feel free to contact our Technology Department at 320.354.1442.