Parsippany Schools Offer iPad Insurance Option

With the new freshman iPad initiative, many parents and students were looking forward to the new technology, but many Parsippany parents also brought up concerns with the lack of insurance from the school, which meant that the families would have to pay for the $600 device in the case of theft or loss.

However, in a letter sent out Tuesday, Interim Superintendent of Schools John Fitzsimons announced a new insurance option for theft.

“The district has procured to insure the iPads for theft. The insurance premium to parents will be $59 and cover a 3-year period,” the letter said.

Students were able to get information and forms on this optional insurance at orientation on Wednesday and are also available online in Genesis under documents.

Since this insurance is optional, parents can opt out of it, which means that these families would still be “responsible for the theft of the iPad at a cost of $600.”

“It is expected that all freshmen will accept (an iPad),” said the letter, and they either got one during orientation or will get one during the first week of school.

“After receiving an iPad, those students whose parents have refused to sign the agreement for the theft of the iPads will need to take their iPads to a secured location in the front office area. Those students will be required to pick up their iPads at the start and end of each school day,” said the letter. Freshmen will be able to use an iPad during the school day unless violate the Acceptable Use of Computer Networks/Computers and Resources, which students signed in 8th grade.

At the required iPad informational meeting, Barry Haines, supervisor of District Technology, said that the school does not have insurance for theft or loss. This new insurance option provided by the school district only covers theft, not loss.

“We agree that the iPad is an essential tool that should be made available to all the incoming freshmen,” said Fitzsimons in his letter. “We would expect that with the insurance option now made available to all parents, few, if any students would be required to turn in their iPads at the end of each school day. We expect that the vast majority of the parents and the students will act responsibly in caring for this valuable equipment.”

Related Patch Articles:

• Click here to read about the basics about the iPad initiative as presented by Barry Haines, Supervisor of District Technology
• Click here to read about Haines' explanations of the theft/loss/damage issues with the iPads
• Click here to read about reactions to the new iPad initiative from parents and students