Overview
As part of the KCS District-Wide Chromebook Initiative, students are provided Chromebooks to complete school-related tasks. Technology fines are incurred for those without device insurance, and/or those that intentionally damage district-owned technology.
For the 2026-2027 school year, technology fines are moving to a “flat-rate” system. This means that instead of billing for individual parts, damages will be categorized into one of three tiers.
Tier 1 Damage - $10 fine
Lost chargers and missing screen protectors will result in a $10 fine.
Tier 2 Damage - $40 fine
Screens, bezels, keyboards, top/bottom cases, hinge covers, sticker removal, missing cases or any other parts that need to be replaced due to accidental or intentional damage will be billed under a single $40 fine.
Tier 3 Damage - $250 fine
When a device is damaged beyond repair, it is considered a total loss and results in the maximum fine of $250.
Process
Device damages are recorded in the district's ticketing system, Incident IQ. Staff members are instructed to upload pictures of damages to tickets, then the billing team reviews technician notes and the parts replaced before entering fines to a student's Givebacks account. Manufacturer defects are not billed as fines.
Questions regarding a specific fine should be directed to kcsbilling@knoxschools.org
Questions regarding this policy should be directed to itassetmanager@knoxschools.org
Please refer to the Related Articles section for links to the Technology Device Agreement, and also see board policy J-560, Student Fees and Fines.
Device Insurance Details
2026-2027
Knox County Schools is proud to offer a device protection plan to all students in grades K-12. This plan covers accidental damage to school-issued devices. Our goal is to provide an option to limit a family's financial responsibility for some types of damage. There is no fee waiver for KCS device insurance this year.
Device Protection Plan Description
A $20 non-refundable annual fee (premium) is due on or before September 30, 2026, for the 2026-2027 school year.
Device Protection Plan Coverage
- Accidental Damage: The plan pays for drops, liquid damage, or other unintentional acts of damage to the device. This includes, but is not limited to the screen, keyboard, bezel, ports/buttons, or battery.
- Theft: Damage or loss due to theft. The claim requires the student or family to submit a police report.
- Fire: Pays for loss or damage due to fire; requires a report from the investigating authority.
- Electrical surge: Pays for damage due to electrical power surges.
- Natural disaster: Pays for damage caused by a natural disaster.
Limits
The device protection plan will cover one total loss within a three-year time frame. Covered accidental repairs will remain covered, even after a total device claim.
Example: Your student accidentally spills liquid on their Chromebook and has insurance. The student will receive a replacement Chromebook at no additional cost. Later that same year, the same student breaks a Chromebook screen. The student will not be charged for that Chromebook repair. The family will incur a replacement fee if the student has another total loss over the next two years.
Device Protection Plan Exclusions
- Intentional Damage. The protection plan does not pay for damage caused by negligent or intentional acts. Damage determined to be intentional will incur a replacement fee.
- Lost/Damaged Consumables. Power adapter ($10 replacement cost) is not covered under the plan.
- Lost/Missing devices are not covered under the insurance plan (up to $250 replacement cost).
- Cosmetic alterations. Any device personalization will be charged for the replacement cost of the damaged part(s). This includes stickers, markings, graffiti, etc, as well as the intentional removal of district-provided cases or screen protectors.
- Hacking. Damage caused by illegal access to any system is not covered. "Jailbreaking” or “rooting” the device in an attempt to remove built-in system protections may be assessed a fee.
- Liability. Knox County Schools is not liable for any loss or damages including, but not limited to accidental, consequential, or punitive damages caused directly or indirectly by the equipment.