Revere High School (RHS) has recently implemented a new card reader feature to their vending machines that accepts Apple Pay, preparing for a new method of paying for food products.
The district introduced a new card reader feature to the high school vending machines. The system takes Apple Pay, a service offered on iPhones that allows users to pay from a digital wallet.
Aaron Gnap, the food service supervisor for the Revere Local School district, explained the reason behind the feature’s addition as well as its purpose.
”We are switching over to RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) cards for when you go through the lunch line and use the vending machines. . .We had to get a new system to take credit cards at the high school. And it was a byproduct of getting a new system being able to take the Apple Pay,” Gnap said.
Even when the RFID procedure begins, Apple Pay will continue to be an option for students and staff.
”We’re hoping to have [RFDI] implemented by October,” Gnap said. “We’re waiting for the elementary ID cards to get printed . . . when we hand them out, we’ll implement them the very next Monday.”
The RFID cards are meant to help students spend less time in lines and protect privacy.
”The RFIDs [are] meant [to] speed elementary students through the line a little faster, and then at the high school and middle school help give some more security,” Gnap said.
This system will protect high school and middle school students from people stealing and distributing codes.
Doug Faris, the principal of RHS, gave his reasoning for and opinion on the change.
”I got tired of kids stealing from each other’s accounts,” he said. “I was just complaining to Mr. Gnap and he took the ball and ran with it.”
The construction of this feature happened over the summer and will be tested during the 2024-2025 school year.
Izzy Massouh, a Sophomore at RHS, talked about her experience with Apple Pay, which she feels will be convenient.
”I don’t have to memorize a credit card,” Massouh said. “[You can use it] as opposed to just a cash option [even] if you don’t have money in your account.”
