Technical Services

Use of Equipment
All educational materials provided to learners are leased and purchased with Pennsylvania taxpayer money. Hardware, software, and some textbooks and materials should be treated as though they are on loan and returned to the school in generally the same condition they were provided.

All equipment provided by CCA is to be used for school purposes only, although limited access to personal email using a personal email account is permitted. Software not provided by CCA may be installed only if authorized by CCA or CCA’s Technical Support.

CCA may use location software to locate missing laptops, verify student residence, or determine the physical location of a student should that be requested by law enforcement.

Technical Support
Because CCA is a school using extensive technology to provide an education, you may experience occasional technical issues. CCA makes every effort to minimize technology disruptions to our learning platform and process. If you have a problem with your computer, printer or software, call 1-833-204-2221 or send an email to [email protected]

Commonwealth Charter Academy families will receive:

• One laptop computer, per learner
• One voucher for an all-in-one printer, per household
• One voucher for a monitor, per learner
• Instructional Technology Subsidy (ITS) reimbursement, per household
• The ITS reimbursement is paid to assist with the cost of printer supplies, home internet, etc.
• To be eligible for ITS reimbursements, learners must:
  1. Be in good academic standing and have satisfactory attendance,
  2. Have no technology holds (including, but not limited to, unreturned equipment, hotspots, etc.),
  3. Be enrolled on the cutoff date,
  4. Have a current and correct address on file with the school, and
  5. Have no financial obligations to the school.

Upon resolution of any of the above situations, ITS reimbursements will resume, but will not be retroactive.

Instructional Technology Subsidy (ITS)
ITS reimbursements will be sent according to the schedule below. ITS checks are valid for 90 days. Checks not cashed will be deemed as a forfeiture of the reimbursement.  Replacement checks for unusual circumstances will be considered for up to one year from the original issuance date. The ITS Payment is a reimbursement intended to assist you with out-of-pocket technology and instructional costs.

ITS payments are sent to families based on the following schedule:

• December for the months of September, October, and November;
• March for the months of December, January, and February; and
• June for the months of March, April, and May.

For a family to be eligible for an ITS payment, students must meet the following requirements:

• Be in good academic standing and have satisfactory attendance;
• Have no technology holds (unreturned equipment, etc.);
• Have a current and correct address on file with CCA;
• Have no financial obligations to the school; and
• Have not been issued a CCA-provided hotspot for internet access.

DAMAGE TO SCHOOL-OWNED EQUIPMENT/COMPUTERS
Accidental Damage to Equipment
When equipment and/or software is accidentally damaged but is caused by user negligence or carelessness, CCA will repair/replace the equipment at no charge for the first accident. If a second accident occurs, the Caretaker may be invoiced up to $100.

For all subsequent accidental equipment damage, CCA may invoice the Caretaker for the full cost of the repair or replacement, plus the cost of shipping.

Non-Accidental Damage to Equipment
When damage to the equipment and/or software is not accidental, Caretakers may be invoiced for the full cost of the repair or replacement, plus shipping. If subsequent equipment and/or software is damaged, Caretakers may be required to pay the complete cost of a replacement prior to shipping. CCA reserves the right to limit the number of laptops provided annually.

Loss or Theft of Equipment
On the first occurrence when there has been a loss or theft of CCA equipment, Caretakers will be responsible for the maximum replacement charge, plus the cost of shipping, unless the Caretaker provides the following information to CCA:

• A copy of a filed police, fire or insurance loss report, and
• Documentation from the insurance carrier confirming that no reimbursement is available under the policy, or
• A notarized letter from the Caretaker indicating that they are not insured

If this documentation is not provided, or if there are subsequent incidents of loss or theft, Caretakers will be responsible for the full replacement cost of the equipment and software. See Appendix E for the Acceptable Use Policy for more information about damaged, lost or stolen materials.