Board considers expanding Easy School Pay for district transactions; pilots proposed

At the Sept. 24 special meeting the board heard follow-up information from Chief Financial Officer Lynn Boivare on adding online payment options districtwide, including expanding the existing Easy School Pay system to handle food service, Chromebooks, preschool and other school fees.

Boivare said the district can expand the current Easy School Pay setup to cover additional programs without a direct platform cost to the board, but that transaction fees charged by card networks would apply. "For the cost, it depends on what kind of card you use... Mastercard has one cost. Visa has a different cost," she said, adding that at present those convenience fees are borne by the parent or family unless the district budget elects to absorb them.

Board members asked how items and shops would be set up and who would manage them. Boivare said individual school staff, stipended advisors or central-office staff could create and manage shop items and payment pages; she recommended further exploration of workload and administrative responsibility. On manpower, she said setup is straightforward and the level of effort depends on how many clubs, departments or stores choose to participate.

IT director Craig Holland is checking network requirements for point-of-sale devices to support in-person tap-or-swipe payments. Several board members suggested piloting the system with targeted programs such as sports fees or a high-school store run by DECA adviser Allie/Alli Miller. "I know that Allie is very interested in it...she's very interested in piloting it," Boivare said.

Board members noted convenience and accessibility benefits but sought clarity on costs and staffing. Boivare said she would return with more precise fee estimates and recommended a pilot tied to IT infrastructure checks and department interest.