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School System Adds Fingerprint Scanners for Students Save Email Print
Posted: 9:01 PM Jul 22, 2008
 Last Updated: 2:27 AM Jul 23, 2008
 Reporter: Dave Benton
Email Address: dave.benton@wsaz.com
93 comments
A | A | A

WAYNE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- It's a hi-tech lunch ticket, and it's coming to several schools in our region this fall.

A finger scanning program has been implemented for students who eat at school in Wayne County.

We see the eye scans and fingerprint identifications in the movies, but now that technology is coming to our local schools.

“As children go through the lunch line, they lay a finger on a scanner and will have their lunch number and be charged with that meal,” Food and Services Director Brenda Arrowood said.

When a finger is scanned for breakfast or lunch at school, you won't see a finger print. Rather, you will see the measurement between points of a fingerprint. The reason for the hi-tech lunch ticket is so the school will know who's getting lunch.

“It's a matter of accuracy and security,” Vinson Middle School Principal Tammy Forbush said. “We're talking about making the lunch billing as accurate as humanly possible.”

Other counties who plan to start the finger scanning program in fall include Cabell, Lincoln, Mason and Mingo.
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Posted by: bubba on Jul 25, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Ashley, I don't remember anything about fingerprint scanners being mentioned in the CONSTITUTION. What article of the Constitution contains that part? I think either our forefathers must have been psychic or you are talking out of your...
Posted by: Church Lady on Jul 25, 2008 at 03:46 PM
The mark of the beast is upon us. They make us get a social security # and now scan our fingerprints to get food. Repent because Jesus is coming soon. If you take the mark you must cut off your hand if it offendeth thee...
Posted by: Amy on Jul 25, 2008 at 08:34 AM
To RoaneCo. I COMPLETELY agree w/ everything you said. It does seem like the only people that have any rights are murders, rapists, wife beaters, and meth heads.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 11:34 PM
I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS PRETTY SOON EVERYTHING IS GOING TO GO COMPUTERIZED & WE WON'T NEED ANY WORKERS TO DO ANYTHING.
Posted by: RoaneCo. on Jul 24, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Thank you Amy, I wish there were more people like you. My ex sister-in-law had asthma and I never smoked around her. I don't even have a problem going out to eat at a non-smoking restaurant. Respecting non-smokers isn't the issue I have, the issue I have is these non-smoking people not respecting me or the business owners. For example I belong to the Moose Lodge and now I can't even smoke there. Respecting peoples rights goes two ways. It just seems odd to me how some people want to take rights away from others but the minute something effects them or their children they starting crying like a baby. I don't support this finger scanning of children either. Nor do I agree with the drug testing some schools are doing now. Testing a kid that wants to play sports while letting the teachers use/sale drugs just doesn't add up in my book. I am beginning to think the only people that have any rights are murders, rapists, wife beaters and meth heads.
Posted by: WVSoccerMom on Jul 24, 2008 at 10:29 PM
To KD and to the person from PA...First to KD..I do understand your point. When I was a junior in high school I went to a school in southern Wayne Co where the students had very little to do..cheerleaders, football and basketball...that was it. I may know what area you are talking about and it isn't fair to those kids. The opportunities should be the same for all. To the person from PA...my daughter is a high honors student in high school. I know what you mean also. She has begged for us to send her to another county to school because of the better programs. But it is a trade off...more drugs and crime in those schools or a safer school with a little less of both. I realize it is in all the schools. I chose for her to be safe. I understand the property tax issue. Wayne County does not have the tax base that bordering counties do and our kids DO suffer. Good points from both posts. I can tell you both are caring parents. Your kids will do fine in life! They are lucky to have you.
Posted by: cashmere really on Jul 24, 2008 at 09:16 PM
if technology isn't working well in schools then it is time to replace the people who are presenting it. wv schools are among the most advanced in the nation when it comes to technology offerings in the classroom. in fact they were the only state to recieve and A for doing so. people need to chill out on this one. I sent a post in earlier but WSAZ in the infinite wisdom refuses to post it as it makes points in which I believe the propaganda machine does not want to be released
Posted by: cashmere on Jul 24, 2008 at 03:44 PM
the good news is that usually technology doesn't work well in schools, something gets screwed up. I will be surprised if it works the way they want. and I don't want to embarrass the child. Punching numbers is enough anonymity. It is amazing on what schools spend money on. Reduce the lunch section size, let them punch their numbers in, and if a stray "upper class" kid gets a free lunch, so be it!! The Supreme Court has ruled that fingerprinting does not violate 5th amendment rights, but Wayne County ought to get their act together on this one, but I doubt if they do.
Posted by: To WVSoccerMom on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:53 PM
I grew up in PA. I was in a great school system & moved to a bad one. The biggest difference: property taxes were higher in the BETTER SD. People complain about PT going up $100/yr to help fund education, but complain when there isn't enough $ to buy paper & all the fund raising. I would not mind paying more taxes if it meant we could get & keep better teachers & have better schools. Here in WC, my child was exceptionally smart. The ass't principal tried suggesting several options only to have the principal say no. Her teacher was to give her harder work but decided not to because it was too much work for her & parents were complaining about the BONUS spelling words being too hard (req'd for my kid but extra credit for the rest.) She finally got help, but she lost a year of education & is still bored out of her mind. There are some good educators here, but there are also some bad ones. WC refuses to get rid of the bad ones for fear of a lawsuit even though our kids suffer.
Posted by: kd on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:43 PM
WV soccer mom........ If you have one completely rotten apple and one that is a little better does that make either one of them good? I think not! You are obviously not on my end of the county if you really are a soccer mom because the children on my end of the county don't have the opportunity to play soccer. Our children have no extra curricular activities except cheer for the girls and this year it appears they won't have that because the "teacher" that was over it last year cheated everyone out of money and was a poor coach and example to the children. I'm glad to see that one end of Wayne county is doing OK.
Posted by: KC on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:17 PM
I understand the plight about paying for meals your kids never rec'd. At first I thought this was an invasion of privacy, but I can see how it helps with record keeping. I volunteer my kids' library and even though we know the kids and we have to enter their name in the computer in order to check out a book, inevitably there are kids who say they never checked "that" book out. Scanning would make it easier. I also understand that, from a Christian perspective, things need to develop with technology in order for the things in Revelation to come to pass. I don't mind the finger print scanning. I will mind a bar code or chip in the skin in order to get anything. However, my family members are all Christians, and IMO only, we will not be here when the Mark of the Beast is required. IMO, the rapture will occur before that. I also have seen our teachers punch the #s in and some kids can't get their # right even though they use it for the computer as well. So, if it helps, use it.
Posted by: WHH on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Somebody's LYING about not storing the prints on the computer. That's why I think people are upset!
Posted by: Amy on Jul 24, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Me again...to RoaneCo. I do not support the smoking ban--it's a complete infringement on people's rights. I am a 100% NON-smoker. My son has asthma, and smoking can trigger asthma symptoms. I DO NOT agree w/ the finger printing.
Posted by: Amy on Jul 24, 2008 at 01:49 PM
I commented earlier...my solution is that when the roll call is done in the morning by the teacher, that teacher should ask the student if they are eating lunch that day. If the student says yes, then take the scanner sheet (that some schools already use) and scn it in the classrooms. This would eliminate the "lunch lady" scanning anything, and could focus on the safety of the children since 1/2 of em are wild at lunch. Put the $ to better use!
Posted by: me on Jul 24, 2008 at 01:44 PM
I think its a great idea.. they need them for entering the school as well. then maybe all these thugs would stop entering our schools and hurting our children
Posted by: WVSoccerMom on Jul 24, 2008 at 12:23 PM
To..Posted by: KD on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:51 PM...I have said this a thousand times...Wayne County has wonderful principals, teachers and other personnel! They go the extra mile for our students. I moved my children here from Florida to get a better education! You obviously have never left WV or you would know that the school systems in a lot of other states are much worse. I lived in Hillsborough County, Florida (where most of the teachers making the news lately are from!) so I can speak from experience.
Posted by: WVSoccerMom on Jul 24, 2008 at 11:58 AM
I can see why the school system is doing this...Although I don't like it. The letter we were mailed said the information is not stored BUT how will it recognize my childs prints on a daily basis unless it is stored? Just asking..honest question...I don't understand how electronics always work! Someone feel free to answer me please! My kids do not get free/reduced meals..We send them with $5/ea. daily and still get bills at the end of the month for meals they didn't eat! I understand it is a typo when the kids are rushed through the lines but why it that the typo becomes my problem monthly and I still have to pay that bill because I can't prove they didn't eat the school provided lunch? Why can't the kids just pay every morning like we used to do when we were little?!!
Posted by: Bully Plan on Jul 24, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Little Johnny couldnt eat today because little Tyrone cut off his finger so he could get his lunch. I can see it now a school full of fingerless kids how will they ever pass writing class
Posted by: The truth is out on Jul 24, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Well it seems as the truth has been let out one person had the sense to call and guess what this is funded by the govt. Imagine that big brother is aware of the food line troubles of little ole wayne county grade schools im glad they are on top of things and wonder why they have not done this every where else first, heres a thought to ponder since wva ranks near the bottom of every stat that is bad in the us maybe the powers that be have decide that we aint very smart and we will fall for this trick to gather data on our kids you all heard chaney say just as much and now they are proving it start with the most ignorant and work your way up and look where they started {out wayne} i hear they are looking into biometric chips that can be implanted at birth to track children in case they are kidnapped bet st marys or kings daughter will be the trial hospitals for this all with a govt grant and the dentally challenged will be so proud their kid was the first in the US. dick chaney was right
Posted by: Blind Faithful on Jul 24, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Ok to all who have posted thinking this is a good idea and think it is not a ploy just to have your kids finger prints on file you need to pull your head out of the sand or where ever you have it buried and do a little research you have a computer google govt. intrusion to privacy and see what you come up with and read some and read some of the horror storys that are going on right now in this country and you will find methods used by some real great people such as hitler. this is a violation of privacy but not if you do it willingly and once you do it there is no taking it back. you can do what you want if you have total trust in the police and the justice system and your govt to have your best intrest a heart then by all means feel free{ for a little longer anyway} but when this comes back to haunt you dont say you wasnt warned. here's a little tip tell them you dont want your kid finger printed and you will pack their lunch bet they will want them printed any way try it and see
Posted by: RoaneCo. on Jul 24, 2008 at 07:07 AM
How many of you that are against the fingerprint scranner support the smoking ban?
Posted by: CONFUSED on Jul 24, 2008 at 06:25 AM
What if a parent refuses to allow the use of their child' fingerprints? Do they still get to eat? Why wasn't parents notified prior to the end of the 07-08 school year? I my opinion this is just another way for the staff to get out of work. This technique of holding a tray, milk etc, and scanning your finger print will be difficult for these kids!!! I agree with leading technology but not fingerprints for food!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: glad we are NOT in these counties on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:00 AM
My son goes to Belfry Middle School. I can honestly say that the staff and the school as a whole are beyond great! My son has never been happier in his academics as he is now. However, I cant see spending money on a finger scanner while our kids sit in a school with no air conditioners. They start school back earlier and earlier every year. This year they start August 6th. What happened to a summer break? How can they concentrate in a room where the air temperature is in the 90s at times. Also, if they miss a day of school there are no text books to bring home for makeup work. All the kids share books. 30 kids x 7 classes should = 210 books. Instead they only have 30 if they stretch it. Finger scanners? Please! Back up and start with getting the things we NEED for the children's education instead of getting the things that make it easier to heard them like cattle.
Posted by: Sarah on Jul 24, 2008 at 01:33 AM
Complain. Complain. Complain. You want a solution to unhealty lunches, high lunch bills, and fingerprint scanning. How about packing your kids lunches? I have two kids in Cabell County Schools. I don't see what all the problem is. If they don't want what is for lunch,I pack it. Also this keeps my lunch bill down to about $60 dollars for both children. We have to adjust with the times. Not complain constantly! I also have had my children fingerprinted already in case they are lost or stolen. I guess it is alot easier to complain than try to understand what benefits it might have.I don't want to pay for someone elses lunch. Maybe as better parents, we might want to spend time with our children instead of letting the schools teach them everything. Oh wait, then I guess you couldn't complain about that.
Posted by: tp cashmere and john on Jul 24, 2008 at 12:36 AM
Don't embarrass the child because of the parents. And in these days a lot of children are on free lunch and it is not "welfare" it is even for the middle class family . This topic is about a scanner and not how much money you earn, nobody really give a you know what about how much money today and how you probably hand your children ever thing on a silver platter and they grow up thinking the world owes them that also. I hope a lot of people don't think your way
Posted by: KD on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Poor Wayne county worrying about that penny that they may have lost!!! They need to worry about the principals that have no disipline skills and the teachers that aren't even qualified to teach. Wayne county officials motto's are to collect the most money whether it be taxes or lunch bills and put the least amount possible back into the community. I think the school my kid goes to automatically fills out the low income lunch paper for every child even if the parents don't send it in or even if they aren't low income. So really that puts Wayne county double dipping collecting from the state and the parents. Someone should check in on this it is a joke!!! Wayne county in general SUCKS!!!!!!!
Posted by: Pamela on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:01 PM
If the kids in this school were being taught the true history of this country they would boycott the lunchroom. This is what losing your liberties look like, schools are more and more every day becoming "day jails" [what they were called in my area] and the hilarious thing is that, if the kids were actually being taught American history they should at the very least boycott school until this measure is buried. Home school is the only answer, if you havent read Plato's republic, dont know anything about pavlovian conditioning or predictive programming, id advise you to save your "tin foil hat" comments. Being an American citizen requires you to know what you stand for, if you dont get out of our way you put your forefathers and mothers to shame- my people didnt get dragged across the atlantic for this mess. Suck in your gut and home school your kids. This is tyranny. The least you can do is say NO! thank you
Posted by: Ashley on Jul 23, 2008 at 10:51 PM
To outrage>> You are the most rational person I've seen on this board! Go ahead people, you think it is a good idea to do this? Try reading the book "1984". Today its finger scanners, tomorrow cameras in your home linked to a government satisfied. Will your CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS be worth protecting then???? Where is the line?
Posted by: Carrie on Jul 23, 2008 at 10:41 PM
I have a child that will be attending Vinson Middle School next year and he will not have his finger scanned to be able to have lunch. This issue to me has nothing to do with invasion of privacy. It does however have everything to do with the Bible. It's as close to the mark of the beast as you can get without implanting something into the children's skin, and that's probably on tap for next year. Children have been purchasing lunches for how many years and they've had no problems up until now. I also can't believe that the money (county or government) is being put to such poor use. I am usually given a list at the beginning of each school year of supplies I need to send such as paper towels , tissues, and hand sanitizer because the school system can't afford it, but yet their is funding available for this. I hope parents take a stand against this because who knows what they'll want to do next.
Posted by: John on Jul 23, 2008 at 10:36 PM
I agree with the person who said a little embarassment would make the child want to do something with their life and get off welfare. It is good to see others who think as I do. I was not on welfare as a child, but I was not rich either. I was motivated to get an education and get a good job so that I could provide better things for my family.
Posted by: cashmere on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:56 PM
this is a crazy idea. I guess that the thought of damaging a child's self esteem is so repugnant to the school board that they will go to exorbitant lengths not to identify a child on free lunch. Maybe a little shame will make the child do some free thinking like, I don't want to be on welfare all of my life. the problem with punching in numbers is that the lunch sections are so over crowded
Posted by: First of all on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:42 PM
the money is not coming from the school boards it is coming from the federal government in the form of grants given to the county by the WVDE office of child nutrition to install these fingerprint scanners. so get off your local school boards back an onto Joe Manchins as I called about this today and found out this information
Posted by: outraged on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Wow. You'd think that there isn't a parent in Wayne county that's read the 4th amendment. You tell me how a government agency (remember, government schools are government agencies) storing biometric data on students is in line with the phrase "secure in their persons." IMO, this is simply a mechanism to condition our kids to accepting biometric tracking. Today it's fingerprints. Tomorrow, RFID. When this crap comes to Kanawha, it'll be Catholic or home school for my boy. It's not like government schools turn out educated individuals these days anyway. They're too busy turning out obedient little socialists, with the vaguest notions of civil liberty hammered out of them.
Posted by: LadyJ on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Wayne county needs a lot of things, but a finger scanning system is NOT one of them! The old program worked fine so why do this???
Posted by: Wow on Jul 23, 2008 at 08:20 PM
Some of you need to take off your tinfoil hats, put down whatever it is you've been smoking, and get a grip.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 07:51 PM
It must be nice for a school system to have money to waste on such a stupid idea. Most schools are worrying about money for fuel to transport students and giving them a better education. Why didn't they spend the money on better lunches and all thel kids would want to eat and the parents would be happy to pay for it. I did we ever get by all these years without a print scanner for lunch alll these years ???
Posted by: S on Jul 23, 2008 at 07:42 PM
It isn't a question of laziness or difficulty. It is about accuracy. Humans put in the numbers and are more prone to typos or mistakes in matching the child's face/name. Someone who doesn't know all the students' faces has to depend on the student to confirm their name. This takes TIME in the lunch line. Typos have to be deleted and corrected--more TIME for them to wait. Lunch bills will be correct, the line shorter, both are good things. Also, the fingerprint is never stored. The measurements can't be used to reproduce the fingerprint, even if someone stole the whole computer.
Posted by: Get real people on Jul 23, 2008 at 06:35 PM
the current implementation of the school system point of service software is broken. this new system is MORE SECURE for your children. for those of you wondering about identity theft think about this - the number your child uses to get a lunch is the same number he or she uses for a student ID. If they are constantly calling this number aloud then the risks are more aparent than if the fingerprint they are submitting in silent. come on people don't fear technology if it is a better system. for the comment mark of the beast I laugh as the children are already marked the minute they are born either with water through registration with the county or state they are born in. you people are blowing this out of proportion - you need to educate yourself about school processes so you will not be so ignorant and submit opinions which make no sense. as for fingerprinting for government usage outside the school lunch program - you need to have county policy drafted preventing that simple isn't it.
Posted by: to Ashley on Jul 23, 2008 at 05:53 PM
When you have over 100 5 -7 year olds trying to comprehend carrying a tray, placing food on it from a salad bar getting thier milk, silverware etc. getting in a seat, eating their lunch all in a limited amount of time, yes it is quite difficult. For anyone who protests this, they should go spend a few days in the school lunchroom, preferably in September. You'll soon be begging for an easier system.
Posted by: anon-1 on Jul 23, 2008 at 05:18 PM
On the first day of school, parents should keep their kids home and protest at the school or the board of education office. If everyone came together and do this or sign a petition, I believe that we can win.
Posted by: anon-1 on Jul 23, 2008 at 05:17 PM
The board of education should let parents vote on the use of the fingerprint scanner.
Posted by: Ashley on Jul 23, 2008 at 04:18 PM
A little much? I think so... For starters, is it REALLY THAT DIFFICULT to punch in a number or give out lunch cards? I mean, is this really necessary? Secondly, it is more than just a little invasive. Reminds me of that program the had in elementary school where a cop would come to school to "educate" kids on crime & safety and while he isat it, would collect the entire schools prints... I digress... If I had a child in this school system I would fight this tooth and nail!!! There is no reason a SCHOOL needs to resort to biological security measures. Why not spend the extra cash to replace the food!?! All the food is 30% food, 70% fatty food replacement substance! Or maybe pay the teachers better to WV can attract more skilled teachers? Personally, I think there should be much higher priorities in the school than a correct count of who is getting school lunch!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Joe on Jul 23, 2008 at 04:04 PM
What is the big deal everyone. It's not like they are using their social security numbers or your credit card number. What is a criminal going to do with a finger print. When I was a child my school finger printed us and put them on the back of a recent photo along with weight, hieght, etc in case of an emergency situation.
Posted by: Amy on Jul 23, 2008 at 02:52 PM
This is crazy. Shouldn't we be more concerned about the safety of our children? What about all the teachers who buy/use/sell drugs? If and when it comes to my area, I will protest. This country has all of its priorities wrong!
Posted by: Kimberly on Jul 23, 2008 at 02:37 PM
I can see everyone's point here, but also I can see why they are doing it. When my kids were in elementary school I had alot of problems with other students using their lunch number. I was always calling to get their bill fixed. One plus of this would be that if God forbid something happened to a child they would already have their fingerprint if needed. Most parents do not have their children fingerprinted.
Posted by: Great Idea on Jul 23, 2008 at 02:06 PM
I think this is a great idea maybe this will slow the crime rate if the school turn these over to the police forces and these kids know it maybe they wont be breaking in and stealing something it should be mandatory for everybody to be finger printed i have to be for my job and going to school is a requirement so to abide for that requirement figer printing should be a must.as a matter of fact since it seems school is somewhere every one has to go maybe it is time we start taking mug shots as a stipulation to graduate it could save time in the future for our overworked police depts which will help get drugs off the streets and what parent wouldnt want that for their child so i say lets do it now
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 02:04 PM
I cannot believe the school system is willing to do this but they don't want to fork out the cash for drug testing teachers. What a crock.
Posted by: JamesII on Jul 23, 2008 at 01:56 PM
What ever happened with paying in cash, like most of us used to do for school lunchs. No scanners, no invasion of privacy, no computers that can be hacked.Technology makes things easier, yea right.
Posted by: Not The End on Jul 23, 2008 at 01:55 PM
Well it just never ends first drug testing students now finger printing and then you have these missing children people taking blood samples for dna and you have to wonder where Germany would be if Hitler would of had this technolgy any parent that allows this is stupid.And the excuses they use to do this are just plain simple but people keep letting them get by with it and all the while they set back and laugh at how dumb the parents are. There are many ways to tell who's eating and who's not but this way your child is in the data bank at the county and state law offices and i'll bet alot of you did not realize that every so often your childs school photo gets sent to the sheriff's office and keep on file all a coursty of the school board and now they have finger prints to put with a picture the next step social sucurity # tattooed at birth and the excuse will be to keep the kids from being mixed up at the hospital or kidnapped and you will fall for this also they're counting on it
Posted by: lunch lady on Jul 23, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Come on people. As a school employee who works in the lunch room, most of the lunch time is spent trying to shuffle people through the line. It is usually at LEAST 15 minutes into the 30 minute lunch time before students are actually eating, partially due to the giving the numbers, cards etc. I think this would speed things up. This is no more an invasion of privacy than anything else anymore. I'm sure the system would be as secure as the WVEIS system used for the rest of the school system.
Posted by: ashley on Jul 23, 2008 at 12:45 PM
this is a total waste of money the school systems need to use the money on better restrooms heating and air for the students...how about fixing the leaking roofs or getting more energy efficient windows or even help student that need help as far as academics!!!!!!!! i attended a wayne county shool so i know of at least on place that could use the things!!!
Posted by: d on Jul 23, 2008 at 12:13 PM
and whoever made the 'mark of the beast' comment, there is NO MARK being placed on your child... i belive the bible says the mark of the beast will be on a wrist or forehead, not on a machine in a lunchroom cafeteria... and bigger cities have been doing this kinda stuff, so catch up!
Posted by: d on Jul 23, 2008 at 12:12 PM
for the first time EVER, Wayne co. is trying to beat the rest when it comes to brains/technology... shut up and let them do it !
Posted by: d on Jul 23, 2008 at 12:11 PM
i think it's a good thing, every other country in the world is beginning to grow above and beyond us in technology! and why would they need parents permission to scan the print? They dont have your permission everytime your child prints their signature! it saves time/trees and is easier.. just sit back and keep the old school where it needs to be.. in the past
Posted by: VinsonHighGraduate on Jul 23, 2008 at 10:58 AM
I am a parent of a child at SVHS. Their fingerprints were taken last year at school. I don't know about the middle school. I am not in favor of the scan either. However I will say something needs to be done about the billing. My child never ate lunch there because the food is aweful. Pizza daily. Very fatty foods always on hand. Yet we were sent a lunch bill every month! I fought this until the last day of school. I paid it because I didn't want them to look at my child like a "freeloader" When I paid & complained the lady in the office told me she had so many parents tell her the same thing. How many other people are getting ripped off? I am sad that they are not using the money for better Math teachers. The two we have had so far have honestly been terrible, and your child is so scared for you to complain fearing retaliation from the teacher. They also need to DRUG TEST the staff. I went to school with some of these teachers. Several are still using daily.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 10:49 AM
666 has started people.without the mark of the beast you will not eat or be paid.it's in the the news everyday wake up !!
Posted by: bill on Jul 23, 2008 at 10:48 AM
With the privacy that the school must inforce on free lunches this may be the only way that other student will not know who is getting the free or reduced lunch.
Posted by: Amy on Jul 23, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Wow! I cannot belive more people aren't complaining/protesting!!!!! This is a TERRIBLE idea. I agree w/ the other comments below, especially Nathan's. The stage is simply being set for the one world gov., religion, currency. I'd also like to know if a child would be denied lunch if they aren't fingerprinted/scanned, whatever?
Posted by: Cheap Lunch on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Go to Aldi's. Loaf of bread $.70. PB $1.29, Jelly $.99, apples $1.99 or how about carrots for $.99? Bag of pretzels $.99. School milk is $.25. So for 3 kids, I could feed them a great lunch for $50-70 a month. Beats $120-150! And it is healthier, too. Cut the pop out at home & your kid will lose weight. Pop only pulls calcium and other essential nutrients from your kids bones. Most people are not aware of this. Also can the Nutrasweet. It is a neurotoxin, despite what the FDA says, so diet drinks aren't any healthier if they contain this. Read the packages for what a serving size is. It is actually smaller than what you might expect, too. Follow these suggestions and overtime you will have more $$ and healthier kids.
Posted by: Beth on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:52 AM
I too am concerned regarding the implementation of this program within the Wayne County School System. However, I do understand the need for it. My children are repeatedly charged for meals in which they did not eat. All because their lunch number was incorrectly entered when they went through the lunch line. And when you bring this to the office's attention, they really don't seem to care - seeing that there is really no way to track down who the charge should have really gone to. Therefore, I do believe that something needs to be done regarding the way in which these bills are created. The system that is being used now simply does not work well. However, I do not feel comfortable having my child scan his/her finger and having that print stored in some database. How about hiring a secretary who has an eye for errors and can type correctly???
Posted by: booger on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Security?? I didn't know stealing greasy, undercooked cafeteria food was a problem. Isn't this a LITTLE bit extreme? What's next? UPS codes under the skin? How about GPS tracking on text books? WV schools seem to think all children are criminals. Drug testing students, fingerprinting in order to eat a school lunch. Why don't you go ahead and put bars on the windows? Why not put up a glass and a phone, to talk to the parents on parent-teacher conferences?? I guess orange jumpsuits are the new school uniforms?? Students are thought of as bad, lazy, criminals, but teachers can do whatever they want. They have sex with students, say things like "show me your breasts for an A." Didn't a teacher just go to jail for robbing banks? Did you get her fingerprint too? How about the teacher with the meth lab in her back yard? Was she drug tested? Are all the teacher DUI's a good example? No wonder kids grow up to be criminals, it's how they're treated at school.
Posted by: This is Horrible! on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:32 AM
I agree w/Con.Parent. I have a kid in the gifted program. All the teachers and administrators never wanted to test her because the program is a joke. My child needed to skip a grade. I was told there was no room in the next grade & "We don't like or want Doogie Housers". How pitiful to say that we don't want smart kids! I wonder what the parents of the 19 yo girl who has her doctorate and is a professor think? Her students enjoy her teaching! I was once told by an admin., the school gets extra funds if they hold kids back, which seems to be their answer for most problems. My child's so bored in class and the work is too easy. It is hard to instill good study habits when not much studying is nec'y to get the work done. This will only hurt my child in the future. Why waste $ when we could help educate our kids. Schools run out of paper, yet there is money for this? All kids are smart enough to learn their 5 digit WVEIS#. Buy some more computers, smartboards, or books instead.
Posted by: Jason on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:24 AM
I guess anyone who is against this little kids must be a criminal or you are raising one. I personally have already had my children fingerprinted in case they are kidnapped. Only criminals need to worry about there fingerprints being stored somewhere. I think this is a a great idea. I know last year some of my kids lunch bills seemed a bit high and this will eliminate a lunch being charged to your child he did not eat. I guess those that gets free or reduced lunch would not understand.
Posted by: D on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:22 AM
Sounds just like the mark of the beast.
Posted by: Tresa on Jul 23, 2008 at 08:42 AM
My son's school (Symmes Valley) implemented this system last year and it works great. Instead of sending money daily, I can send it monthly or even quarterly. The only information that is tied to the scanner is students name, student id#, and the amount of money on the account. When my son's account gets low I send more money. It is great. If he wants an extra lunch or milk, the money is on his account to do it.
Posted by: Brian on Jul 23, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Give me a break people. Are you afraid that your chubby, chubby kid wont be able to sneak more food now? Poor kids. They have to have their finger scanned. My, my. What are we going to do? Gee, and when (God forbid) your child goes missing maybe you'll want that database holding your childs point distance. Hide what you want people. Have nothing to hide? Then don't worry about it. Oh, and if you don't like the school lunches? Get off your butt & make your kids lunch. I ask my kids who both go to schools in Waynce Co if they like the lunch that day. If not, I make them something. I know, so hard being a parent. If you feel there are no good teachers then go become one. Oh? The pay is bad & you have to deal with rude kids & even ruder parents? That's the point. Teachers should get hazard duty pay. A teachers job doesn't end when the bell rings. Grow up. There are so many other things more important to worry about. If you don't like something then make a change. Either stand up or shut it.
Posted by: Parent of a Cabell Student on Jul 23, 2008 at 07:35 AM
I am totally against this! I do not want my child involved in this. FINGERPRINTING for a tired ole school lunch! USE THE MONEY MORE WISELY....FEED MORE HUNGRY KIDS FOR FREE....BUY BETTER FOOD OR SOMETHING....COME ON! Dag gone drug tests, freakin' fingerprinting!!! What are you people going to pull out of your hat next?????
Posted by: taste tester on Jul 23, 2008 at 07:23 AM
To Dirty Harry - Sounds like they might have robbed a bank... You guys are pretty ignorant. You probably think the back of your driver's license is the mark of the beast too. !!!`666`!!!
Posted by: Craig on Jul 23, 2008 at 07:22 AM
I have grave concerns about this for Wayne County and the plans to expand this. I'm not talking anything other than privacy for my children! I enjoy technology and use it daily. But, do we really need to install fingerprint scanners? Let's get real and get back to basics. Otherwise, in a few years, the headlines will read, "Schools have the best of technology but lowest national standardized scores." Don't get carried away, BOE, let's invest the $ where it matters: helping the children/youth reach their greatest potential!
Posted by: john on Jul 23, 2008 at 07:07 AM
this is a waste of money,all this is about is a way for the goverment to get our childrens finger prints.I agree with Nathan about the new world order comment.Another way to own us !And who asked the parents for our approval to finger print our kids??? What happened to our privacy ??
Posted by: To Taylor on Jul 23, 2008 at 06:42 AM
The ACLU is not concerned about stuff like this. Now if someone tried to bring a Bible to school they would be all over that. This just proves we are getting closer to the Anti-Christ and the One World Government. How hard would it be to transfer the fingerprint records of these kids to whomever.......?
Posted by: annie b on Jul 23, 2008 at 06:24 AM
the thing to ask is if a computer is hacked and files stolen your childs I.D is used WHO is going to pay for it.?????
Posted by: Kevin Maynard on Jul 23, 2008 at 06:09 AM
Why waste money on this? Wayne High School is falling apart... I think they could find a better way to spend our tax dollars.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 02:31 AM
I'm sorry i dont thank its right, i guess my kid would have to bring a lunch. Because i wouldent want just anyone knowing his our here finger print. I"M highly aginst it!!!
Posted by: anon on Jul 23, 2008 at 01:36 AM
People should protest this. Write a letter, call the school board, sign a petition, etc.
Posted by: Joey on Jul 23, 2008 at 12:19 AM
I'm sorry but is this the reason for a 10 to 15 cent hike in the school lunches, I have 3 children attending school this year and I'm looking at least a 120 to 150 $ lunch bill each month this year...The food is horrible and in no way health, I do the best I can at home for my children, One whom is overweight, and the school lunch doesn't help, there half way starved by the time they step foot threw the door! There so worried about the snacking habit's of kid's that know they even try to tell us who pay for our children's snack's as to what were able to send! When they can't even offer a decent and healthy lunch!
Posted by: Nathan on Jul 22, 2008 at 11:26 PM
I think it's all un called for. Has anyone ever heard of the mark of the beast, it sounde like the parents and kids don't have a say in anything, espically when the schools do what they want. I pitty the students who have to grow up in this wicked age. Parents should be alarmed. It's not about security, it's about a new world order.
Posted by: Taylor on Jul 22, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Any concerns about privacy issues here? This area seems to be relatively ignored by the ACLU...It seems like this should be pissing them off. They did not have much to say about the mandatory drug testing program in Cabell either. I do not have a child in either system, nor can I say that I have been through either system myself. I am all about safety and legitimacy, but what about a basic right to privacy? I suppose that was what the story hinted at when it said it would take distance measurements and not look at the print itself--that's how most fingerprint scanners work. It can still be used to cross reference to a criminal database. I hope they scan multiple fingers because I frequently got my fingers cut up on the playground, but do they even do recess anymore? Probably not. HINT: Bullies of these schools... hold kids down and cover the tips of their fingers in superglue. It will be hilarious.
Posted by: anon-1 on Jul 22, 2008 at 10:32 PM
The figerprint device shown in the video looks like a cheap device. I've seen these on amazon.com. They should have spent money on a better scanner.
Posted by: Concerned Parent on Jul 22, 2008 at 10:24 PM
As the parent of a young child in the Wayne County School system, I have great concern with my childs finger prints/print measurements being stored in any computer system. Isn't this an invasion of privacy? And what will happen if a parent chooses not to let their child be fingerprinted? Are they going to be denied lunch because the school employees are too lazy to punch a few buttons on a computer to enter their lunch number? I think this is insane and feel our school budget could be better spent buying textbooks and supplies. Or better yet, as the parent of an extremely bright child, maybe the school system could invest in a few more gifted teachers since our children only see their gifted teachers one hour a week. Oh but how could I forget that "No Child Left Behind" only applies if your child is working below grade level. Get with Wayne County, we need more teachers and instruction materials not wasted technology like this just because you are too lazy to do your jobs.
Posted by: Dirty Harry on Jul 22, 2008 at 09:54 PM
We would like for your 13 year old to come down to the station. His finger prints match those found in a bank robbery.
Posted by: anon on Jul 22, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Wow....are they not smart enough to keep track of who is eating lunch? At my school we were smart enough to be able to use our brain.....we did not have to get all high tech, but hey....we never had anyone trying to steal identity or cafeteria lunch.. Maybe they just have really awesome food in those schools in wayne...
Posted by: john on Jul 22, 2008 at 09:21 PM
big brother is here!!why would we allow our children fingerprinted like criminals why not prepaid lunch cards?that always worked in the past ..why not tell schools to leave our kids privacy alone and actually teach them instead..what is next taking some dna samples for their uses?why is there not an outcry about this? how long will the fingerprints be kept?
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