GREENE – Primary school students in Greene won’t need to remember their four-digit lunch code this year thanks to new technology installed over the summer. They’ll be able to move through the lunch line with just a wave of their index finger.

The Greene Primary School will be the first school in New York State to use a combination of biometric finger scanning technology and Microcheck, the food service software used by the district. Greene Central Schools will be testing the technology in a pilot program for the Houston-based company which designs the software.

Technology coordinator John Griton was instrumental in getting the school selected for the pilot program. While Griton warns it will take some time to work out the kinks of the new system, he is optimistic that the district will see benefits.

“It will definitely increase the speed of kids going through the line,” said Griton. The system, which will eliminate the possibility of children accidentally using the incorrect food service number, will also protect against incorrect account use.

Lunchtime in the primary school, which does not have a lunch room, can be hectic. Teachers bring each class to the food service window. Students move through the lunch line and then head back to the classroom where they eat their lunch.