The Tennessee Department of Education will distribute $15-million 315- thousand 586 in software vouchers to local school systems as a result of a settlement in a lawsuit against Microsoft Corporation. The class action suit alleged Microsoft used unlawful trade practices to maintain a monopoly and overcharge Tennessee consumers.
The DeKalb County School System is to received $43,448.
State Education Commissioner Lana Seivers says “We are pleased that the outcome will allow Tennessee school systems to upgrade technology for the benefit of their students and allow additional resources to be directed toward improving teaching and learning.”
Each school district will receive approximately $16.40 per student according to the district’s average daily membership (ADM) at the end of the 2005-06 school year. Local administrators may use software vouchers for current or future Microsoft operating system software such as Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office applications and encyclopedia software and certain non-Microsoft software.
Dr. Tim Webb, Assistant Commissioner for Resource and Support Services says “The department is working diligently to help districts take advantage of these vouchers in a timely manner.”
Tennessee attorneys James Stranch of Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings, PLLC and Ted Carey of Barrett, Johnston & Parsley handled Tennessee’s case, which was one of the first cases to be filed and has resulted in one of the stronger settlements nationwide.
Archived News & Obituaries