This section provides a very general overview of a number of questions that come from the laptop 1 to 1 initiative. Please follow the links on this page to find more specific and detailed information in other parts of the site.
Do I have to lease?
No. Gateway will offer both a computer purchase program and a leasing program for students interested in laptop computers. Families will save the cost of financing by purchasing the laptop outright. However, those that choose the lease option will have the opportunity to pay it off over 36 or 48 months. Additionally, those that choose to lease will have the option to purchase the laptop at the end of the lease for $1.
Does lease increase the cost of the laptop?
Yes. When you lease you are paying for two additional things: The interest on the money you have borrowed to purchase the laptop, and laptop insurance, which is required of anyone that leases. On a $1000 laptop leased for 36 months this means an increase of about $115 for insurance and about $50 in lease payments. That adds about $4.60 per month to the lease used in the example.
What is the cost?
The cost is dependant on a number of factors. In an effort to accommodate the needs of everyone we have developed pricing for three configurations of PC based laptops and Apple based laptops. The configurations will fall into entry, medium and high level configurations and contain everything necessary to function in a regular classroom. Our goal is to provide laptops that can be leased at or near the respective monthly levels of $25, $30 and $35 each. You will see when you look at our leasing and purchasing prices that there are a number of options for families to choose.
Why are we using two platforms?
Gateway started the project using the Apple iBook four years ago as it provided the most advanced wireless technology, best integrated educational software package, easiest deployment, at a lower cost than their PC counterparts. Today the Apple iBook continues to offer the best value for what is included with the base machine. It also happens to be less expensive compared to competitive bids we received from Dell, IBM and Toshiba for similarly configured laptops. However, knowing that some people prefer PCs we have chosen to offer the choice to families.
The district will continue to use iBooks for the district owned laptops. We will also continue to train our teachers using the iBooks and the software that comes preloaded on them. We encourage families to consider the iBook when making your decision. However, whatever you choose will be supported in our environment.
What will be provided to my child?
* An Apple iBook or IBM laptop computer - Click here for model information.
* Wireless 802.11g, Network card, Modem and phone cable and software.
* Think Free Office software that matches campus standards.
* Computer Associates Anti-virus software.
* Operating system upgrades to match campus standards.
* On-campus and vendor direct warranty repairs for 3 or 4 years.
* Available loaner units during repairs.
* Carrying case (Optional).
* Safeware Insurance (Optional for purchased laptops).
* Dial-Up Internet Access (Optional) .
Why should I purchase my laptop through Gateway when I might find a less expensive machine through another source (a bricks and mortar or Internet retail store, for example)?
We strongly recommend that families purchase the laptop through the school's laptop purchase program. Classroom instruction using technology is more effective when all students work with the same tools; consistency and compatibility reduce the possibility of confusion and wasted class time. While it may seem that a comparable laptop could be purchased at a lower price on the outside, families should remember that laptops purchased through GRSD come with features and services that are not always included in the laptop packages offered at retail stores. Purchasing these items separately almost always results in a higher total cost. The GRSD laptops are bundled with software needed to operate in the GRSD environment, at a savings not available through retail outlets. The customized configuration that is loaded on each laptop makes the transition from the shipping box to the classroom almost seamless. Additionally, we provide significant value-added services in the area of maintenance and support with the goal of minimizing down time should a problem arise; a loaner laptop is always available to students who purchase their laptop through GRSD. These services are not available to families who do not purchase their laptops through the school laptop program. Those students will not be able to use our repair facility or laptop loaner pool. If families still decide not to participate in the GRSD laptop purchase program, they must make certain that the laptop they purchase meets the minimum hardware and software specifications established by the school.
What must I do to participate?
* Indicate your intent to participate in the program by completing the Purchase and Sales Agreement along with your first months payment or total payment (your choice) no later than July 23, 2004. Participation is done on a yearly basis with payments due on the first of each month.
* Print a Laptop Lease Participation Agreement (in PDF format) or request one by calling 413.685.1020.
* Fill it out and return it to Paul Facteau, Gateway Regional School District, 12 Littleville Road Huntington, MA 01050.
What is the payment schedule?
Payments will be due on the 1st of each month starting September 1st, 2004. When you and your child receive your laptop you will receive a payment schedule.
Will you accept cash, check or charge?
Yes. Cash transactions can only be made at the GRSD Business Office at 12 Littleville Road between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4 p.m. Checks will be accepted. Please make checks payable to the Gateway Regional School District. Any check returned will be subject to a $10 fee. We will also accept credit or debit cards. The school is presently able to accept Visa or MasterCard. These can be used by stopping in or calling the business office at 413.685.1010. Anyone using their credit card will be subject to a $3 administrative fee for the processing of the card.
Can I pay off the lease early?
Yes. However, the leasing agreements still require you to pay the full lease fees. So you would be responsible for the price of the laptop, as well as, the lease charges.
Do I get to keep the laptop at the end of the lease?
Maybe. This is a “lease to purchase" program. At the end of a lease period (3 or 4years), the district will offer the computers coming off of lease to the leasing family for $1 at that time. If you chose to purchase the laptop the laptop will become your property.
Isn’t it cheaper to purchase?
Yes. By purchasing the laptop outright you will avoid the cost of financing the laptop over 36 or 48 months. Often many services, including software upgrades and available loaner units, are not available with a purchased unit. However, for laptops that are purchased through this program will be supported by our laptop help desk for a period of 36 months. The model will insure that a student has a working laptop computer with campus-compatible software available to them consistently throughout the life span of their laptop without considerable additional cost.
My son or daughter is eligible for the National School Lunch Program and receives free or reduced lunch that benefit my family?
Yes. The federal lunch program presents a valuable resource for families throughout our district. The number of families that participate also help us in the amount of state and federal aid the schools receive. Realizing that the laptop project potentially poses a financial burden to many families we have creating incentives for families that are eligible for the program. For students that receive free lunch they will get a 50% discount on their laptop for students that receive reduced lunch they will receive a 25% discount on their laptop. Please visit the Resources section of the web site to fill out more about the program and print the form to receive your discount. Not certain if you qualify? You can fill out the reduced lunch form and have your child turn it in to the main office to see if your child is eligible. You can also find this form on the web site.
What are the rules?
* The laptop you are leasing belongs to the school district until the lease cycle ends. At that time you will have the opportunity to purchase it. You must keep it in working order. Breakage, damage, or failures must be reported to the Information Desk and repaired immediately.
* No unauthorized modifications may be made to the laptop hardware such as memory upgrades, component changes, etc. External peripherals can be connected, however.
* Laptops must be checked in at the Laptop Help Desk once each year as instructed for updates and maintenance.
* You may not change the configuration of the computer or add unauthorized software to it. If you do, the computer will be re-loaded with its original software, which may result in loss of your personal files.
* Any items not returned at the end of the lease will be charged to you at a pre-determined price.
Can my child use the laptop during the summer?
Yes. The lease is paid over 36 or 48 months, so the laptop is available for use during that entire period, aside from annual maintenance collection. The annual maintenance collection will occur once annually. This service will take about a week and will result in the complete software update of the machine.
What if I choose not to allow my child to participate?
To attempt to allow access to all students the district has set aside a small number of laptops that can be used on a daily basis by students that are not participating in the program. To participate in this program parents will have to sign the student daily laptop loan program form. These laptops will be checked out daily on a first come - first served basis. These laptops will not be allowed to go home and must be return at the end of each day. Any student that does not return the laptop at the end of the day will not be allowed to check out a school laptop for the remainder of the year, under a zero tolerance policy.
How do I get more information?
If you have specific questions, please contact the information desk at 413.685.1020 or send e-mail to pfacteau@grsd.org.
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