Appendices - Guidelines
Issue:
School districts periodically provide assistive technology to students with disabilities as part of their Individualized Education Program. This technology is often adapted to that individual and may be of little value to others. However, the technology often continues to be necessary for that individual when they leave school. A number of school districts have expressed a reluctance to sell technology property when a student leaves that district. It was determined that this is due partly to an uneasiness over selling an item, for a price they set, to interested parties. The greater reason for reluctance has been an uncertainty over how the Office of State Comptroller will treat these actions, should there be an audit.
Resolution:
While statutory provisions address the obligations of local school officials, there are no specific provisions which address the ability to transfer such technology, whether hardware or software. However, Boards of Education do have clear authority to manage the general affairs of the district, and this includes the authority to dispose of property the district no longer needs. Boards of Education need to consider the following aspects in preparing to dispose of assistive technology. These areas focus on accountability for the disposition and transfer of property. These are also the areas that auditors will be interested in if they review the disposition of property.