Iowa governor announces $60 million from Microsoft lawsuit settlement for school technology

Iowa schools gets $60M from Microsoft settlement

DES MOINES, Iowa — Gov. Chet Culver says Iowa schools will get more than $60 million from the settlement of a lawsuit against Microsoft Corp.

Culver says more than 1,000 schools will be eligible to apply for some of the money.

The money will be distributed to schools through vouchers, which can be used to buy computer hardware and software.

The money is a portion of a $180 million settlement of the lawsuit which alleged that Microsoft overcharged Iowa consumers and businesses for computer products. Culver made the announcement at an inner-city school on Tuesday. He was joined by attorney Roxanne Conlin, who pursued the lawsuit, Microsoft officials and state education leaders.

Schools can apply for amounts ranging from $1,000 to $450,000. Vouchers will be distributed beginning in January.