K12 Voucher Program PDF Print

Technology in the classroom can be used strategically to improve student achievement and help prepare our students for success in the competitive global economy of the 21st century.- Jack O’Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction 

OVERVIEW

The K12 Ed Tech Voucher Funds are available as a result of a settlement agreement in an antitrust case against Microsoft Corporation. Per the settlement agreement, a fund was established to offer vouchers to public schools that can be used to purchase computer hardware, software, or professional development. (There are restrictions to what you can buy with these funds.)

The vouchers are to be used to assist districts with implementing and supporting education technology that fosters effective teaching and promotes student achievement.

The SDUSD administration of the Voucher Program will occur through the Educational Technology Department and the Office of Resource Development.

Review Program Information and Guidelines:

PowerPoint presentation available for download here
Online version of the presentation is here

UPDATE - April 24, 2009

Purchasing using the voucher allocation (resource 90101) is exempt from spending controls. YOU DO NOT NEED TO SPEND ALL YOUR FUNDS BY THE DISTRICT PURCHASING DEADLINE. THE FUNDS CARRY OVER YEAR TO YEAR. 

Current information suggests that the next and final allocation will not occur until 2009-2010. 

Please read before proceeding:

  1. If your site was eligible (based on free and reduced lunch) for voucher funds, you were given an allocation under Resource 90101. The allocation was split 50/50 and two sets of budget strings were opened for your use. The General Purpose Voucher budget contains 50% of your allocation and are the budget strings ending in 0000. The Specific Category Voucher budget contains the other 50% of your allocation and are the budget strings ending in 1100.

  2. General Purpose Voucher funds can be spent on eligible hardware and software. Specific Category Voucher funds can be spent on specifically identified eligible software only. Once the funds are spent, they are gone. You may not transfer funds between the two allocations.

  3. For these budgets only, budget checking looks at the Resource and the Extended fields in the budget string. Do not be concerned with how much is or is not in one account over another; e.g., account 4301 versus 4491.  

  4. Be sure you know how much you have left in your voucher allocations. Please confirm with your budget analyst or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it in the Ed Tech Department. When planning your purchases, please spend only 91% of each of your voucher allocations. You MUST have enough funds in your budget to cover taxes and any shipping and handling. In the ePro process, sales tax is not encumbered until a PO has been created (after budget checking in the requisition process). When the PO is created, sales tax is applied and the PO goes through budget checking again. If it fails budget checking, purchasing will be delayed until a site budget is provided to cover the difference. To be safe, always allow for sales tax - hence, spend only up to 91% of each allocation. You may not overspend your allocation. It is the site's responsibility to keep track of its purchasing using these funds. If you overspend your budget, you will be required to identify a site budget to cover.

  5. When purchasing district standard computers, you MUST use the voucher templates. Please follow the instructions on How to Submit an ePro below. The template for the 20" iMac is NOW AVAIALBLE.

  6. NEW:  In the comments/justification section be sure to put your name, phone number, school site and the words "Voucher Purchase."

  7. Sites are responsible for the cost of etching of laptops and a small portion of the district image because these items are not reimbursable under the Voucher Program. You must provide your own budget.

  8. See instructions below if you want to purchase a non-district standard computer (Apple or Lenovo only).

  9. You may only purchase items on the Approved Hardware and Software List. Please DO NOT submit requisitions for products that are not on the Approved Hardware and Software List.  Click Here-Updated Frequently

  10. Review the list of what you MAY NOT PURCHASE which includes hardware and software not approved by the Claims Administrator.  Click here

  11. UPDATED:  PENDING ELIGIBILITY PRODUCTS:  Please check the Approved Hardwdare and Software List as most of the products' eligibility status have been updated. In general, the online subscription software type of product has been deemed eligible. HOWEVER, only General Purpose Voucher Funds can be used (budget ending in 0000).

  12. If there's an item you'd like to purchase and it's not on the list, please send your request (name of product, description, website) to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . We will submit your request to the Claims Administrator, put the item on the online list of products and will update it when we hear from the Claims Administrator. DO NOT contact the Claims Administrator yourself.

  13. REMINDER: Your allocation is split 50/50. Fifty percent of your funds are in General Purpose Vouchers (budget ending 0000) and 50% are in Specific Category Vouchers (budget ending 1100). You can buy hardware and software out of General Purpose Vouchers and only SPECIFIC software out of Specific Category Vouchers. The Approved Hardware and Software identifies which funds can be used for which product.

  14. Funds cannot be transferred between the General Purpose Voucher allocation and Specific Category Voucher allocation.

  15. NO PROCUREMENT CARD PURCHASES.

  16. IMPORTANT: The funds carryover from year to year. YOU DO NOT NEED TO SPEND YOUR ALLOCATION BEFORE THIS YEAR'S PURCHASING DEADLINE OF APRIL 30. The district's deadline for spending will be sometime in 2011. If there is an additional allocation it will be in the 2009-2010 school year.


Vendors and Pricing

Please check the EdTech Price List first to see what vendors and pricing are recommended for the eligible products.

How to Submit an ePro

  • Apple Computers (template now available for 20" iMac) Click here
  • Non-District Standard Computers (Apple or Lenovo only)
    1. Request equipment waiver; go to http://sandi.net/swreq/
    2. Request quote from Arey Jones or Apple. Advise vendor you are purchasing under the Voucher Program.
    3. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and attach quote.
    4. You will be sent instructions to help you create the requisition.

Other Useful Resources

 

SEND ALL QUESTIONS and REQUESTS FOR PRODUCT APPROVAL  to
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