New Cafeteria Technology Helps Make Things Run Smoothly

This year, SV Local Schools Food Service will implement a biometric finger scanning identification program in the cafeterias. This new system will improve security for your child's cafeteria account, eliminate login errors and provide students an easy and fast way to identify themselves when using the cafeteria. The biometric touchpad will ensure students are getting more time eating their lunches instead of waiting in long cafeteria lines. Biometric touchpads have been in use for 10 years in Ohio and in more than 1,000 school districts across the country.

Frequently Asked Questions about Biometric Touchpads:

What is biometric identification?

Biometric identification is an easy method of identifying a person. Our District has selected biometric finger touchpads because they are fast, easy and accurate. Students simply press their finger to a scanner and move through the meal line.

Why are we using biometrics for lunches?

Sandy Valley will use biometric screening for several reasons. First, it is faster and keeps cafeteria lines moving so students have more time to eat. Second, it avoids the issue of students forgetting their passcode. Finally, biometrics provides privacy because it does not share student information including which students receive free or reduced meals.

How does it work?

Using a touchpad, the software scans the fingerprint to create and store individual templates of five unique points that identify each student.

Is this a fingerprint?

No, this is NOT a fingerprint. Fingerprint images are NEVER stored in the system, and therefore cannot be hacked or otherwise shared. The touchpad simply finds the student with a series of five unique points. The data collected from the scan is useless for any other purposes. At no time is a fingerprint image stored. 

What about my child's privacy?

The software scans the finger for identification. It does not store a copy of the fingerprints. Instead, the software creates a template of the unique fingerprint characteristics. These templates are stored in the school's database with the same high level of security of all of your child's records. When your child graduates or is no longer enrolled in the school system, the templates are deleted.

How do we know this works?

Many schools in the state of Ohio are currently using biometrics for lunches including Plain Local School District and Canton Local School District. School personnel reported that cafeteria lines moved much more quickly than before. 

Thanks for your support!

We hope you will find this new way of identifying your child to be safe, easy, accurate and efficient.