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Posted: 4:25 PM Oct 5, 2011
Finger Scan Devices Coming to Washington County School Buses
Chipley- The Washington County School District is adding finger scan devices to all of its school buses to keep a better track of student attendance.
Reporter: Bryan Anderson Email Address: Bryan.Anderson@wjhg.com |
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9 Comments 
Chipley- Roll call is a thing of the past in Washington County Schools. Students now check in with finger scanning devices.
School Superintendent Sandra Cook said the old method just wasn't cutting it.
"We got to talking about attendance in our district and how it was inconsistent," said Cook.
The systems have been up and running for two months inside the schools, but since the majority of students ride the bus every day, district officials decided to move the devices there.
But the transition hasn't been easy. One of the biggest challenges they've faced is where to put the devices on the buses. State safety codes require the isles to be kept completely clear, so one of the ideas they've discussed is to put a laptop on one side of the steering wheel and the finger scan system on the other.
The school district plans to test the equipment in a handful of buses in the next week and hopes to have each one operational by November or December at the latest.
"When it's all said and done, we're going to find that this is going to be one of the most monumental things that Washington County has ever done," said Cook.
The finger scan device costs the school district about $30 per student each year. Parents can still opt for their children to sign in the traditional way.
Latest Comments
Half the time the scanners dont't read my child's finger print so I have had to keep track of days he is absent. His report card was completely inaccurate for days he was in attendance and I was told because they don't give out attendance awards anymore that unless my child missed more days than allotted for that 9 weeks that it was perfectly alright and there was no use in changing it on his report card. Not only was this system a colossal waste of money and could have probably funded 2 more much needed teaching positions...school board officials I've spoken with defend it. They have bigger problems than attendance at CHS. Cell phone use, Facebook posting while in class, teachers that don't teach and should retire. Just to name a few. Only glad mine will be out of the system soon. Won't be sending any of my grandkids to public schools in wash county.
i totally agree with jim. do we really want that temptation of a laptop right in front of our drivers? look at the statistics of police officers who wreck while on their laptops.
Save those millions, and give the teachers a raise.
