As indicated in the Department of Public Instruction's March 29th press release, State Superintendent Tony Evers announced that a legal settlement with Microsoft over software purchases in Wisconsin will provide benefits to more than 800 eligible schools in the state.

The Microsoft-Wisconsin Cy Pres Program is the result of a settlement that was reached in class action lawsuits about certain Microsoft software acquired by consumers and businesses for use in Wisconsin. Under the terms of the court-approved settlement agreement, a cy pres award in the form of vouchers will be distributed to “eligible schools” in Wisconsin.

The purpose of this cy pres program is to extend the benefits of technology to eligible Wisconsin public schools in which at least 33 1/3 percent of attending students come from low-income households, based on fall 2005 free and reduced-price school lunch data. School districts with eligible schools will receive vouchers that can be redeemed over a four-year period for cash reimbursement for a variety of technology products and services. The products include both hardware and software and are not limited to specific brand names. The total amount of vouchers available for eligible public schools is almost $80 million.

For more information about the program, including information on product eligibility and amounts by school, see the website at http://MicrosoftWIK12.com.

For questions on the registration process, please contact Customer Service Center at 1-866-903-1218.

For questions about this information, contact Stephen N. Sanders (608) 266-3856

Last updated on 3/29/2010 9:39:01 AM

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