Calif. high school writes off bad checks with ATM

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- An El Cajon high school has installed an ATM after a slew of bounced checks led it to adopt a cash-only policy for the campus, according to an Associated Press report.

Weathermaster ATM, manufactured by Qualtex.

Grossmont High School officials said they don't have the resources to pursue people who write bad checks. Now, parents or students who attempt to present a check at the school are referred to the ATM, believed to be the first on a San Diego County high school campus.

The machine charges a $1.50 convenience fee per transaction, with $1.25 of that donated to the school. The other 25 cents goes to the independent ATM provider that maintains the machine.

On the first day of registration earlier this month, the machine dispensed $4,200, according to the AP report.

The ATM will be emptied and turned off at the end of each school day to discourage after-hours theft or vandalism.