By: Lexi MooreThe Hills-Beaver Creek school district received $23,662.10 in vouchers from the Microsoft Corporation in February.The vouchers were the result of a $174.5 million settlement from a class action suit, which alleged that Microsoft overcharged Minnesota consumers and businesses for products.School districts in Minnesota applied for an estimated $55.2 million in vouchers to purchase new computer hardware and software.Under terms of the 2004 court-approved settlement, any consumer or business that purchased certain Microsoft software for use in Minnesota was eligible to receive vouchers for varying dollar amounts to purchase new computer hardware or software.In November, H-BC Superintendent David Deragisch requested more than $26,000 in new hardware and software products to be used at the elementary and high school. The total was based on a $21,000 estimate he received from the Minnesota Department of Education.After the deadline for the public closed, half the value of the unclaimed vouchers was made available to the Minnesota Department of Education.Last fall 467 school districts applied for vouchers of varying dollar amounts from several hundred dollars to $6.3 million.The voucher amount available to each district or charter school was determined by its percentage of the state’s total free and reduced price lunch eligible students.Software vouchers will be used to purchase Microsoft Word for Macintosh computers at both the high school and elementary school. In addition, the district will upgrade the software used in both libraries.The district will purchase a server, network printer and projector for both buildings with the portion of the vouchers designated for hardware.All-School Reunion Update:Information on the all-school reunion planned for students who attended Steen, Hills or Beaver Creek Schools was mailed this week.Administration officials at H-BC created a six-page informational packet to mail to alumni of the three former school districts. The packet details the events of the weekend, including meals, children’s activities, a silent auction and tours, as well as contact information for lodging options in the area.Other school news:Jessie Leenderts and John Sandbulte were nominated as H-BC’s local Triple A winners.Triple A winners competed at outstanding levels in fine arts, athletics and academics.Leenderts and Sandbulte each wrote an essay, got a teacher review and filled out paperwork in order to compete at the section level.Candidates selected as the top male and female Triple A winner at the section level will go on to compete at the state level.
