NORTH CAROLINA COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM SCHOOLSStarNewsOnline.com: The Voice of Southeastern North CarolinaLast updated: January 24. 2005 11:56PM

Laptops disappear from High Point school

The Associated Press

Forty-one laptops used by students in a computer check-out program have disappeared over the past nine months, authorities said.

The Compaq laptops - on loan from N.C. A&T State University - were intended to give High Point Central students at a technological disadvantage the opportunity to learn more about computers.

But on Jan. 12, a report was filed with High Point police, stating the computers had been stolen. The last time the equipment was known to be secure was on May 1, the police report stated.

"It's my understanding that over a period of time, some kids said they lost them and some kids said they were stolen," said Terry Grier, superintendent of Guilford County schools.

It remains unclear what happened to the computers, though some of them may have been recovered by A&T, Grier said.

However, A&T officials also have little information either.

Mable Scott, a university spokeswoman, said it was "not clear" what happened to the equipment. "We're disheartened that those computers are not available," she said.

A&T has a number of technology initiatives with Guilford County schools. The recent problem at High Point Central was "an isolated incident," Scott said. "We are partners. That collaboration will continue," Scott said.

Police said no arrests have been made in connection with the case. The value of the lost equipment was listed at $2,128 on a police incident report.