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Board weighs benefits and drawbacks of cashless ticketing after GoFan rollout
Summary
Activities director Darren reported 5,571 tickets sold via GoFan, citing safer cash handling and faster entry but noting Wi‑Fi/device crashes at large events and access concerns for seniors and people without smartphones; the board discussed options including senior pass policy and cash alternatives but took no immediate policy vote.
Princeton’s activities director, Darren, told the school board that the district has sold 5,571 tickets through its new online platform (GoFan) and that the system has reduced cash handling burdens at events while speeding entry.
"For me, I get Debbie back probably about 6 hours a week because she's not counting money," Darren said, describing time savings and a reduced need to staff money-counting operations. He also said the district has had intermittent device and Wi‑Fi failures at very large events—notably at a homecoming with about 2,000 people—leading staff to admit about 20 people and have them circle back to pay later when systems restored.
Board members raised equity and access concerns. One board member asked whether seniors and out-of-town grandparents could receive the lifetime pass that district residents age 62 and older presently get; another noted that some conference schools have moved entirely cashless and others permit cash at the gate. "I would like to try to address that senior citizen thing at some point," a board member said. The activities director said issuing passes or amending language is feasible administratively.
Darren also explained the mechanics and complaints: a per-ticket convenience fee adds roughly $1 to online purchases (a change he said the district is transparent about now), and intermittent crashes sometimes required staff to let patrons in to avoid safety or overcrowding issues. He said the district prefers to let people in and correct transactions later rather than turn patrons away: "If the thing shuts down... we don't want them to pay you because... that's a bridal for us," he said, emphasizing a preference to admit spectators and resolve issues after the fact.
The board discussed possible next steps—placing the senior-pass language on a future agenda, improving Wi‑Fi or device readiness at large venues, and continuing to allow staff discretion when failures occur—but did not adopt an immediate policy change. Several board members noted activity budgets are subsidized by the general fund and that rising costs for officials and supplies put pressure on ticket revenue.
The discussion produced no formal vote; administrators were asked to return with options if the board wants a formal policy change.
