'Plastic' considered for Hall school lunches

GAINESVILLE - MasterCard or Visa? The Hall County Board of Education Monday night reviewed a proposal that would allow parents to pay for their students lunches by credit card.

Cookie Palmer, School Nutrition Director, said if approved, parents would prepay for their student's lunch with the card over the Internet instead of cash.

"It would reduce the amount of cash we have to handle and it would reduce the child having to bring money to school," Palmer said.

Palmer stressed the credit card pre-pay would be an option; cash would still be accepted.

TAX HEARING 'NO SHOWS'

Monday night's school tax increase hearing was a "no show" by the public.

Unlike a hearing earlier in the day (see separate story), the Board got no comment Monday night on its $181 million budget for FY 2007 or the .90 mill tax rate increase to support it.

After no one showed up for the evening hearing, the Board continued with its work session and Superintendent Will Schofield said he hopes that means good news.

"I hope folks are satisfied with the way we're managing our citizens' money," Schofield said.

The next hearing is set for next Monday when the Board formally adopts the millage rate and the new budget at its regular meeting.