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Poll: Palm Scanning in Schools?
Tell us: Do you agree with the decision to suspend the program?
A new technology that uses a child’s handprint to obtain their school lunch account has come under fire, and now, the superintendent has suspended the program and halted the installation of the technology, according to the Carroll County Times.
Earlier this fall, the Baltimore Sun reported that some parents felt this system, one of the first of its kind to be used in a Maryland school district as of October, was a violation of privacy.
School officials have previously said the technology is only used to access a student’s school cafeteria account – and for no other purpose.
The program was piloted because it was thought students would spend less time in line waiting and would have more time to eat lunch, according to the Carroll County school district.
Earlier this week, Carroll County Commissioner President Doug Howard asked that the Board of Education review its policy on the palm scanning, calling for parental consent before children use the technology.
That would afford “the best security for our children’s safety and security today and in the future," he said in a release.
Tell us in comments or in our poll: Should palm scan machines be used in Carroll County schools, or completely eliminated?
Thanks. We'll email you the next time we update this story.
a concerned parent
2:32 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012
The palm scan should not be used. Instead a pin pad or card reader should.
Stinkbug
4:58 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012
I agree. The reasoning is a child would lose the card....well, they would lose library books, mittens and hats, lunch money, etc. Kids lose all kinds of stuff, it's part of growing up and teaches responsibility. You can't suggest getting rid of teachers aides and media assistants and pay for something like this.
Eldersburg elder
6:44 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012
wonder who was getting the kickback for this unnecessary and unaffordable program.... yet they want to lay off teachers and staff because there is no money
Sharon Ann Costa
1:57 am on Friday, December 14, 2012
When my child got her palm scanned I din't not sign a permission slipand was unaware they even had an "opt out" letter. Very wrong was to do something this important not to mention that I did not want my childs hand scanned. She takes her own lunch to school everyday. There was no reason. Disgrace in my opinion!
Angela Wade
7:10 am on Friday, December 14, 2012
Yes, it should be stopped. Ummm, palm scanning comes first to slowly integrate into the public what will one day be an implantable, mechanical chip, to scan on the right hand or forehead. I'm against this. 2 of my kids are grown, but my 1 son left in high school will NOT participate in this program if it's implemented. I will "opt out".
S Thompson
7:55 am on Friday, December 14, 2012
My only issue with it was kid after kid touching the same surface right before they eat. Otherwise, who cares about the palm scanner-- take your kids to an amusement park lately? They take finger prints to get into Sesame Place now.
Stinkbug
8:24 am on Friday, December 14, 2012
Exactly, in my daughter's school, they make them wash hands after recess, then get in line for lunch. But if someone wipes a nose with their hand while standing in line, as little kids tend to do, then they spread germs to every single kid after them. (I won't even begin to tell you other places where I see kindergarteners put their hands) Can you imagine a kid rubbing their eye when they had pink eye and then other kids laying hands on the same space. If they did it in when they walked into the lunch room and then let kids wash hands and then eat, maybe I *might* feel differently. I guess everyone has forgotten about Typhoid Mary already?
Buck Harmon
9:03 am on Friday, December 14, 2012
Surprised that we didn't hear Rothschilds voice regarding this issue..how did this slip through..?