Use of Title I Funds for Laptops

INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO: 112
POLICY CODE: IHAJ

TO: Superintendents of Schools
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner
DATE: June 18, 2009
RE: Use of Title I Funds for Laptops

While in Washington, D.C. Friday afternoon I met with Jim Shelton, Assistant Deputy Secretary for innovation and improvement at the U.S. Department of Education, and spoke with him about the use of Title I funds for the purchase/lease of laptops.

Mr. Shelton was unable to give a definite answer at the meeting, but was very supportive and has directed his staff to work with us on securing a waiver that would allow SAUs to use the funds for the laptop expansion to the high school.

We will move quickly to provide a final answer once we have it. At that time, I will ask that you finalize your decision about participation as quickly as possible so that we can place the order and you can have the laptops in place by the start of the school year.

I know this has taken more time to get an answer than we had hoped. This news from the U.S. Department on this issue is extremely encouraging and I hope to be able to provide you a final – and hopefully positive – answer shortly.