Parents Upset Over Lunchtime Palm Scanner

[tooptimistic]

Parents Upset Over Lunchtime Palm Scanner

$300,000 system leads to privacy concerns.

By MSN Living Editor - Rebekah Schilperoort Fri 8:08 PM

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Parents of students at Carroll County schools in Baltimore, Md., say a new policy that scans kids' palms to pay for their lunches goes too far.

With the PalmSecure system, students hover their hands over an infrared scanner that ID's them by the unique patterns in their skin and registers a sale, according to a report from the Daily Herald.

The Herald talked to Mike Richmond, who has two children at a Westminster elementary school. He said the scanning started before parents were given the chance to opt-out.

"I didn't appreciate how they handled it. I'm concerned about it. I know it's the way of the future, but it's fingerprinting, it's palm-printing."

The district said the goal is to decrease the time it takes to pay for lunches since the children have a limited amount of time to eat their meals.

The controversial system is operating in three Carroll County elementary schools with plans to expand to the whole district within a year. It's also used in many other schools around the country where there have also been concerns about invasion of privacy as well as the cost of the system. Once implemented, PalmSecure will run the Carroll County district about $300,000.

Bing: Read more about the story.

Photo: Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun/MCT via Getty Images

 

 

Would you be ok with a palm scanner in your child's lunchroom?

• Only group members can vote in this poll.

1. 33% - Yes
2. 56% - No
3. 10% - I am not sure

[tooptimistic]

Besides the price tag, I see no problem with it.  Gets the kids through the lines really quick.

[FromAtoZ]

The price is what caught my attention more than any thing else.

Really parents, this is not as big of a deal as many would like to think. 

I bet those little ones get a kick out of it.

[futureshock]

That is actually creepy.

[andiemomo3]

I voted no simply because it seems strange to me. I'm not ready for all futuristic things.

[tmajma032408]

whats next? A barcode on their forehead?

[Citygirlk]

I just dont see the point in it, to me its just a waste of money. That 300,000+ could go towards giving the kids a better education.

[TB78]

I voted no after seeing how much they cost. I mean seriously $300,000 for a palm scanner?! You know who has to pay for that right. Us the taxpayers!! Oh Hell NO!

[notjstanothrmom]

This doesn't bother me at all... but I'm not hoping to raise criminals.

[toomanypoodles]

 Wow....is this the way the dept. of education is spending taxpayer money? 

I just hope there are enough Bible believers out there to see this is the beginning of the end for us. 

[SEEKEROFSHELLS]

 I don't know if it is the " Mark of the Beast" but there is a mark in the accounting ledger that says 300,000 dollars for this scanner. The taxpayer pays for this and that money could of gone for teaching materials, books,or teachers salaries. It is disgusting this waste of money. Oh I hope this nonsense doesn't spread to other schools. Think of the wasted dollars the taxpayer will pay!

Quoting toomanypoodles:

 Wow....is this the way the dept. of education is spending taxpayer money? 

I just hope there are enough Bible believers out there to see this is the beginning of the end for us.