District Changes Security: After Laptop Thefts, York City Schools Rethink Computer Equipment Storage.

By Nichole Dobo, York Daily Record, Pa.

May 27–There were a couple changes to security made after 28 laptops were stolen from two York City schools in less than a month.

First, Alexander D. Goode Elementary School started locking up computer equipment, rather than letting it sit in classrooms after school is out. Sixteen 5-year-old laptops were reported stolen April 31.

Second, locks were changed on the storeroom at William Penn Senior High School, where a dozen computers were reported stolen May 19. After the heist, it was determined “too many” master keys to a computer room were floating around, said Tom Foust, vice president of the school board.

“We need to find a way so that this doesn’t happen again,” said Jeanette Torres, president of the school board, who said the board would likely discuss the matter soon.

The York City Police Department is investigating the thefts.

In the meantime, the district has submitted claims to the insurance company for the loss, which will require payment of a $1,000 deductible, Foust said. The total value of the Apple laptop computers has not yet been determined because some were old.

With the end of the year winding down, the thefts didn’t have too much impact educationally besides some reshuffling of resources, school officials said. There wasn’t a need to rush out and buy new computers for students.

But that’s not the point, Supt. Tresa Diggs said.

“It is definitely a crime,” she said. “It’s a crime against the children. This is something they need.

Technology for them is important.”

ndobo@ydr.com; 771-2032

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