Background
Funds from the Microsoft Class Action Settlement are now available to Minnesota school districts to purchase new computer hardware and software. The settlement vouchers are intended to supplement, not supplant, current school technology budgets. The money may be used for products, services and personnel costs if they support the school, district, or charter school technology plan. Eligible products and services include:
- Professional Development
- Staff salaries
- Educational software
- Computers
- Technology infrastructure
Click here for specific information about the Minnesota Cy Pres Program.
| Settlement Amount |
$174.5 Million |
| Cy Pres Program |
$55.2 Million |
| Funds Available |
January 27, 2006 |
| Program Ends |
January 27, 2012 |
What is the purpose of the Ed Tech Vouchers?
The purpose of the Minnesota Microsoft Cy Pres Program is to extend the benefits of technology to eligible public schools in Minnesota, in which a percentage of attending students come from low-income households.
Who is eligible for the Ed Tech Vouchers?
An “eligible school” is a public school or charter school reporting one or more free and reduced lunch eligible students in its Fall 2004-2005 Special Populations Report, as certified by the Minnesota Department of Education. Each district will receive a Cy Pres award based upon its percentage of the state’s total free and reduced price lunch eligible students. Each district is required to distribute the Cy Pres award to eligible schools on a ratio of the total percentage of free and reduced price lunch eligible students in each school to the district’s total Cy Pres award.
How were the MS Vouchers distributed?
The initial vouchers were distributed on January 27, 2006. Vouchers were mailed to school district superintendents and charter school directors in a specially marked envelope. Keep your vouchers in a secure location. An original Microsoft-Minnesota Cy Pres Voucher Redemption Form must be submitted along with the appropriate documentation of eligible purchases for reimbursement to occur.
What products and services can be purchased with the vouchers?
Settlement funds will be disbursed via two types of vouchers: General Purpose and Software. Fifty percent of the vouchers must be spent between general purpose and hardware purchases. The remaining 50% must be spent on software. The technology vouchers are platform neutral and may be used by eligible schools to purchase a wide variety of computer software and hardware products. Schools must verify product eligibility prior to making technology purchases. Schools may also contact the Claims Administrator at 1-800-858-3765 to verify product eligibility.
Click here to see a complete list of products and services that can be purchased with these vouchers.
Scholastic Education is always looking for ways to help you improve education!
As you think about how you can best use the Microsoft funds to help your students to realize their potential, consider the wide range of proven, award-winning programs offered by Scholastic. We would be happy to talk to you about which programs meet your particular needs. Click here to contact your Scholastic Account Executive.
How will vouchers be redeemed?
A voucher redemption form will need to be submitted along with invoices for purchases that meet certain requirements set out in the Settlement Agreement. Click here for information on the voucher redemption process, refer to the Microsoft MN Cy Pres FAQs on the Minnesota Department of Education web site.
When must vouchers be redeemed?
Vouchers must be redeemed for eligible products purchased between January 27, 2006 and January 27, 2012.
Do districts purchase the products or services with the vouchers, or do they purchase them with existing funding and redeem the costs using the vouchers?
Allowable products or services must be purchased using existing funding, and then the vouchers for those purchases may be redeemed for cash through the Settlement Administrator.
Can vouchers be donated or transferred to MN schools and/or districts?
No, vouchers are non-transferable between schools or districts.
To find out more about these Scholastic products, click on the product names above.
