Schools Weigh Use Of Thumb Readers For Lunch Charges

WATER VALLEY – You’re not supposed to eat with your fingers, but students may be paying for their meals with their digits if the school cafeterias install fingerprint readers.

The possibility of installing the biometric identification equipment and software was discussed at the Aug. 22 school board meeting after Trustees approved a lunch tag replacement policy, 4 to 1.

The board approved the use of lunch tags in June as a way to make sure the correct account was charged for purchases. The way the system works is that each student wears a lunch tag and the cafeteria cashier scans it as the student passes.

In the past, students had to remember their cafeteria account number and repeat it to the cashier as they went through the line. Food Service Director Meghan Marshall told Trustees there was about $1000 in charges made to student cafeteria accounts during the last school year that were incorrect. “Sometimes the children would forget their number and sometimes an adult wouldn’t scratch their name off the list,” she said.

One of the problems associated with lunch tags is that youngsters have a hard time keeping up with them. Under the new policy, elementary students will be given up to three replacement tags at no charge and then charged $5 for each additional replacement. Junior high and high school students will be charged $5 for each replacement, period.

“Thumb readers,” commented Trustee Pierce Epes after the new lunch tag policy was passed. “We’re going to have trouble with the lunch tags.”

Trustee Cayce Washington added that he was already getting reports of problems with the lunch tags. “I think the kids are getting the wrong card and it’s getting on the wrong ticket.”

Superintendent Kim Chrestman said that he had asked Marshall to research the fingerprint readers.
“Can she go ahead and check on that,” said Epes. “If we can go ahead and get than in, even this year, let’s do it. It’s hard to loose you thumb.”

In other actions at the Aug 22 meeting, Trustees:
• Approved a $25,020 bid from Oliphant & Sons of Oxford for painting the “old portion” of the high school.
• Agreed to purchase a fuel tank from Newberry Tanks & Equipment Inc.
• Accepted a $1000 anonymous donation to buy volleyball uniforms.
• Accepted a $600 donation from D&S Haulers for the 4th grade under the adopt-a-class program.
• Heard a financial report from District Business Manager Randy Goodwin, who reported that the cash balance in the district maintenance fund was $1,525,570.46 as of July 31 and the fund balance was $1,557,230.76.
• Heard from the board members including Trustee Washington who commented that he was receiving a lot of positive comment about the schools. “That means a lot to me as a parent and as a board member and as a member of this community.”
• Entered executive session.

School continues to go well at the Davidson Elementary and Water Valley High School.  Teachers and students are in their classes and actively involved in appropriate educational activities.  The halls of each campus seem to be quiet and clear of inappropriate traffic. 

 

Davidson Elementary would like to say a big “THANK YOU” to the businesses and people involved in adopting and providing funds for each grade.  Music, Physical Education, Library and Special Education classes were included in the funding this year. 

 

Congratulations to the Water Valley Football team for their victory over Independence last Friday night.  We are proud of you.

 

We would like to invite the public out to the Water Valley Football Field as the Blue Devils take on Coffeeville at 7:30 pm this Friday night.  I am sure the football players, cheerleaders, and the band would appreciate the support. 

 

We will continue to focus on student achievement and to develop a culture and climate that will allow students to succeed.