Automated Teller Mess

While clothing an inch short of the uniform code catches the attention of administrators in an instant, students short of cash go unnoticed for over a year. The Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) at Palmetto has been useless for more than a year, broken next to the treasurer’s office at the front of the school.

“We have been after the company to come fix it but for one reason or another the machine has always had a problem,” principal Victoria Dobbs said.

Pete Kohler, the ATM security guard, gave a step-by-step on why it remains unusable.

For the ATM to work, it must have a signal which comes to and from an antenna on its side. Because thick concrete lines the building walls, the signal has no chance to get through. The problem has two simple solutions: drill a small hole in the wall of the school or move the ATM — both of which administration disapproves of. Currently, Triton Systems (the ATM manufacturer) ordered an ATM part to replace a broken component in hopes that it diminishes the need for a new antenna.

“Having an ATM is just more insanity for the treasurer to go through,” principal’s assistant Chris Hirth said.

According to Mrs. Hearth, administration has no choice but to accept the machine; Triton Systems and Dade County Schools teamed up to make sure every school receive one, whether they need it or not.

“The treasurer isn’t here on Fridays, she comes in late so she is not here during first period, leaves early so she is not here during sixth, and I can’t find her during lunch either,” junior Catherine Salcedo said. “I don’t think it should matter if it’s an inconvenience for her to have a working ATM… if she’s not here to [dispense cash when students come with a card] herself.”

“If we collect on Fridays, brinks comes too early and we would have to keep money at the school over the weekend,” principal Victoria Dobbs said.

To the average student, no access to cash could mean a lower grade in physical education, science or arts classes because the courses often require lab or material fees, usually between $5 and $15, to fund materials that help pay for class materials. Physical education classes require uniform, with cost $5 per shirt and $10 for shorts.

“I did try to use it (the ATM) one time like last week and and it wasn’t working. I needed it for a new P.E. uniform since I have two P.E. classes,” senior Hunter Ball  said. “I received an F for three days because of it [not having access to cash].”

The average Palmetto student is asked to pay for various things the first three months of the 2015-2016 school year. Whether it’s $60 for homecoming(not including clothes and transportation), $40 for books purchased through the PTSA, $15 in fees for their science or arts classes, $15 in club dues, and/or $300 for school insurance and gear for their sport among other financial expenses, students may lose track of the money they owe. A great deal of this is required in cash and some students feel uncomfortable carrying such large amounts of cash at school.

It seems ‘what- if’s’ kick in when one carries large amounts of cash. They also kick in when discussing this ATM with people associated with Palmetto. The machine’s path to functionality remains at a standstill because of all the ‘what if’s’ given by the security guard, children and faculty. And when it comes down to business, the situation lies here. The school has an ATM– but no one really knows about it.