LOXLEY — The Baldwin County Board of Education approved yearly insurance rates between $58 and $64 for high school students using take-home laptops this year as part of the Digital Renaissance Program.

During an Aug. 6 special meeting in Loxley, the board accepted a recommendation by BOE spokesman Terry Wilhite to approve a coverage contract with Safeware Insurance Agency, which will be $64 for the Mac Book Air, and $58 for the Mac Book laptop at Baldwin County High School, with a $100 deductible for either model if a damage claim is filed.

 The billing, paid by parents, is estimated at $530,400 for 8,160 Mac Book Air units, and $70,818 for 1,221 Mac Books, according to the agreement. Before a computer is assigned to a student, a parent or guardian and student must participate in an orientation that addresses and emphasizes protection and care of the machines, sign a user agreement and pay the protection plan.

The invoice total will be determined by the number of laptops assigned to students who have paid for coverage. Baldwin County High School participated in a pilot program last year, and students were assessed $57 with a $100 deductible. Wilhite noted late Wednesday that there is about a $200 price difference between the two models.

He also said during a dozen meetings with parents throughout the county, there has been little negative feedback. He also said local businesses have offered assistance to students in case of extreme hardships.

“For $60 a year, you get to use an $1,100 computer,” Wilhite said. “There are businesses stepping up to help with costs. A Foley parent offered to pay for seven student insurance accounts because they see the advantages.”

Superindependent Alan Lee said the machines will provide access to unlimited information around the world and allow students to work at their own pace.

Critics of the program note insurance costs and availability of DSL and telephone lines at student homes. Wilhite said businesses have offered to provide Wi-fi, and that Internet connections are available at libraries and other public buildings throughout the county.

“Students can download homework while they are at school,” he said. “They are not required to be online at their residence.”