The Great Laptop Swap of 2024

EVERYONE must RETURN your LMC-issued LAPTOP and CHARGER at the end of the 23-24 school year.

WHEN you need to do this depends on your status (retiring/resigning/returning) - see below.

• RETURN means the laptop must be delivered IN PERSON to METZ. The person who brings it to Metz does not have to be you, but it needs to be A PERSON who will personally transport the laptop to Metz and personally place it in the hands of a person from the LMC staff.

  • Do NOT return it to Garcia YMLA or to HQ; it belongs to LMC and must be returned to the LMC.

  • Do NOT send it through Library Logistics.

  • Do NOT leave it in your library for LMC staff to pick up. (We won't.)

  • Do NOT give it to an administrator or office staff at your campus.

  • Do NOT drop it off with a librarian friend down the road (unless that person is heading to Metz to return laptops).

  • Do NOT leave it on the porch at Metz or in the foyer at Metz, or hand it to a random person in the hallway at Metz.

  • Do NOT attach it to a drone and fly it to Metz and try to drop it on Shannon's head.

• You need to return two things: LAPTOP and CHARGER. That is all.

• Before driving to Metz, check to make sure somebody from the LMC staff will be here (unless it's during the "no appointment necessary" times listed below).

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR RETURNING LAPTOPS?

• If you are RETIRING or RESIGNING, return your laptop by May 30, 2024.

• If you are RETURNING next year, return your laptop by August 13, 2024 or earlier - see options below. (Earlier is better, as these laptops will replace the very outdated inventory laptops!)

• If you are not currently planning to retire or resign but you change your mind over the summer and decide not to come back, you must return your laptop as soon as possible after you have made the decision, and by August 13th at the very latest.

If your laptop has not been returned by the appropriate deadline, we are required to report it stolen because these devices are on our fixed asset inventory and we are accountable for them. But we really do not like it at all when we have to do that, so PLEASE return your device by the deadline!

WHEN CAN LAPTOPS BE RETURNED TO METZ?

June 3 - August 12

Monday through Thursday only 

7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

APPOINTMENT REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES

(district closed the week of July 3 - 7)

August 13 

This is our Job-Alike day (all day, yay!) so returning folks will be at Metz that day anyway - this is your FINAL opportunity to return your LMC Laptop.

You will NOT be given your new laptop when you bring the old one back to Metz. 

You must go to HQ to pick up your new laptop - see the details below!

Almost all library staff are eligible for a new device.

• Persons with the job title Librarian and Library Media Specialist will receive a Windows laptop.

• Persons with the job title Library Clerk or Library Assistant will receive a Chromebook.

• Persons with any of these job titles who work at least half-time (50% or more) will be automatically eligible. Persons with any of these job titles who work less than half-time (49% or less) are not automatically eligible but the campus principal can request one for them.

WHEN AND WHERE CAN NEW DEVICES BE PICKED UP?

• on these dates:  July 22 - July 25, July 29 - August 2, August 5 - 8, August 16, August 19

• at these times:  8:30 - 12:00 and 1:30 - 4:00

• at this location: Austin ISD Central Office Building, 4000 S. I-H 35 Frontage Road

VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW:

• You must sign up for a time slot to pick up your new laptop at HQ ahead of time - don't just drop by!!!

  • • Eligible staff will receive an email from the Help Desk with a link to sign up for a device pickup time slot. Most people got this email on 5/22, but a small number of eligible people did not; the Laptop Office is aware of this and working on fixing it. If you have one of the eligible job titles listed above, work at least 50%, and have not received this email by July 22nd, email laptops@austinisd.org for assistance. (Check all of your email folders.)

    • When you fill out the form, answer "no" when it asks if you currently have a bond-funded district-provided device. Your LMC laptop is a department-funded, department-provided device, which is completely different!

    • On the "choose a device" question, Librarians and Library Media Specialists may choose either of the two Windows devices - the Lenovo or the Dell - but NOT the Chromebook. Clerks and Assistants are only eligible for a Chromebook.

    • If you need to make a change to your response after you have submitted the form, email laptops@austinisd.org. 

• DO NOT try to turn in your LMC-issued laptop when you go to pick up your new device. The Bond Laptop folks will not take department-provided devices, and that's what your LMC laptop is so they won't take it. You must return your LMC-issued laptop directly to the LMC at Metz, as described above, and pick up your new district-issued device at HQ.

• Pay attention to robocalls and/or check AISD email periodically over the summer in case something changes.

See THIS LEADERSHIP WEEKLY ITEM and the email you received on 5/22 for more information about device distribution.

Do not take your LMC-issued laptop to HQ with you and try to turn it in to them - they won't take it. 

You must return your LMC-issued laptop to Metz - see the details above!

Can I keep my LMC Laptop in addition to the new bond device?

No. There can be only one.

Can I keep my LMC Laptop instead of the new bond device?

No. Due to reduced LMC staff and reduced LMC budget, we are no longer able to maintain this service from the LMC.

Can I return my LMC Laptop at HQ when I go to pick up my new District Laptop?

No. LMC Laptops must be returned to Metz, and new District Laptops must be picked up at HQ.

Can I pick up my new District Laptop at Metz when I go to return the old LMC Laptop? 

No. LMC Laptops must be returned to Metz, and new District Laptops must be picked up at HQ.

Will Birdie still repair and/or replace my new laptop if it breaks?

No. Your new devices will be managed by the District exactly the same way that teacher laptops are.

Will my new laptop already have WorkFlows on it when I pick it up?

No. Birdie will need to install it. This can be done remotely as long as you are on the AISD network (for example, at your campus). We are still working out the details so stay tuned...

Are you just going to keep answering "no" to everything?

Yes.