Do you have to pay for a broken school Chromebook?

The following charges may be assessed for HCPSS-issued devices and power adapters that are lost/stolen or damaged while in a student’s care and/or as the result of neglect on the part of the student. Students who currently receive Free and Reduced Meal services will be charged an additionally reduced amount.

Please note: Items listed below are examples of damages and associated costs. This is not an exhaustive list and additional items may be included.

Damage Assessment

Once the device has been brought in as damaged or reported as lost, IUSD staff will determine whether repairs or a replacement of the device is required. If you did not choose to purchase the IUSD Chromebook Insurance and your device is damaged, the cost of the repair will be assessed as a fine to the student’s record in Destiny.

Typical Chromebook Repair Costs (without Insurance)

These fines may vary by model and by the extent of the damage.  You will be notified of the actual cost after the device has been inspected by a technician.

Total Loss

If the Chromebook is damaged beyond repair, lost, stolen, or unreturned to the school, the full replacement value of $225 will be assessed as a fine.

Payment

Payments for damaged devices will be completed completely online through MySchoolBucks.com.  Please do not bring this payment to your school (this process is different from the library/textbook reimbursements).  You'll need to create a MySchoolBucks account and add in your student's information so we can associate the payment with your child.  Payments for repairs can be made online using the link below:

IT Device Checkout Fees

1. Please enter the fine amount in the “Amount to Pay” box before clicking on the Buy Now button.
2. Select your child from the Student drop-down, click +Add a Student if you do not have a student already listed in the Student drop-down menu.

   The first thing you should do is check to see if your device is still working properly. If not, your child’s teacher is the first person you should contact. He or she may be able to help because teachers are usually given instructions on how to help their students if something happens to their devices. Ultimately, if the teacher is unsure or unable to help solve the issue, contact the school’s IT department. However, we’ve found a few more ways that can benefit you in saving you as much grief in the situation as possible.

   In many cases, the damages on a Chromebook are sometimes repairable. IT sourcing for schools tends to purchase and lend equipment that’s easily fixable. This is also one of the reasons why Chromebooks are such a popular choice among education bodies, as they are one of the most cost-effective laptops you can buy.

   Whether you or your learner accidentally dropped the Chromebook and cracked the screen or spilled apple juice all over your keyboard, I’ve come up with the best instructions on how to go about this.

   In the case that if you lose your Chromebook, the first thing you need to do is contact IT to tell them that you’ve lost it. IT may know of a way to track down where the Chromebook is. Google also has a neat way to track your lost or stolen Chromebook by simply tracking its location.

   However, the most important thing about this is making sure your child’s personal information is safe. IT will be able to lock out your child’s Chromebook so that it isn’t easily accessed by the thief.

   What you should do with your broken Chromebook

   It’s recommended by almost all schools to first contact the teacher of the student to see what can be done. Teachers are well instructed on how to handle the situation of a broken Chromebook.

   Some teachers will also ask to see it and maybe try to fix it themselves. This isn’t likely but it can happen. In all other cases, if the teacher can’t help you replace your Chromebook, it’s probably going to escalate to the IT department. And trust me, you’re not the first person to break the screen, pour orange juice all over the keyboard, or even get a virus on your device.

   Bringing your Chromebook to the proper people may actually help you solve the problem if it’s simply something internal due to software.

   What the school will do

   The school has a Chromebook insurance plan that provides coverage for accidental damage. If the device is broken, many schools will replace it with a new one. Your school will handle repairs and replacements.

   Schools often invest heavily in warranties for damaged electronics. When dealing with students, the risks are even bigger. Schools want their students to be safe and successful, but they especially want them to be well-equipped with the tools they need for their education.

   My advice is to not worry about the broken Chromebook. In the end, the school will likely replace it with a new one.

   Schools are used to these sorts of situations and they will know how to take care of the device.

   Also, in many cases, if there’s a fee tacked onto your student’s account, you might have to pay that fee off before the school will allow you another device.

   You may have to pay a fee

   Because almost all schools that loan their devices out to students have a warranty plan for every device, there’s a strong possibility that you will be charged the repair or replacement fee.

   This isn’t going to cost you an arm and a leg, though. Most schools will charge a $50-$100 fee to replace it with a new device. Even if your child is charged this cost, the replacement cost is much less than what you’d have to pay if you bought a Chromebook on your own or in-store.

   In fact, many schools are lenient to their learner if this is the first time it’s happened. They may not even charge the parent or child for the broken device.

   At the end of the day, if your child breaks the Chromebook, don’t be too concerned. As long as the teacher or IT department is willing to help you with getting a new or repaired Chromebook, you’ll have one soon enough!

   What not to do when you break your Chromebook

   The great thing about Chromebooks is that they are relatively affordable devices. So even if they break, you shouldn’t worry too much.

   If your Chromebook becomes cracked or broken, here are a few things you should not do with it:

   Do not throw your Chromebook in the trash

   These Chromebooks are almost always under warranty. Remember, the school pays for a warranty. So don’t just throw them away.

   Don’t take your Chromebook to a third-party vendor to get it repaired

   Remember, I’m almost positive that your school has a warranty and replacement plan agreement with the manufacturer. Bringing it to a repair shop is honestly a waste of time and money.

   Do not try to take it apart and try to fix it yourself

   Warranties often have included fine print that doesn’t allow non-authorized people to open the Chromebook and make changes to the hardware. If you do try to take it apart, this may void your warranty.

   My final thoughts

   If you are worried about the extra cost, just be honest about it. Most schools have a great track record for understanding that students are in an educational environment, and they don’t want to make it difficult for you or them.