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Board approves 2.2% convenience fee for RevTrack online payments after equity and workload debate
Summary
Mahomet-Seymour CUSD 3's board voted on May 18 to implement a 2.2% convenience/processing fee on RevTrack online transactions; members discussed equity for families without online access and potential office workload increases if in-person payments rise.
The Mahomet-Seymour CUSD 3 Board voted on May 18 to pass a 2.2% convenience fee on online payments processed through the district’s RevTrack system, after an extended debate about fairness and administrative workload.
Board member (speaker 12) moved to implement a 2.2% pass-through convenience fee for RevTrack transactions and the motion was seconded by the chair (speaker 1). Board discussion focused on balancing the district’s processing costs with public impact: one board member (speaker 11) argued against absorbing the market processing costs, saying the district “shouldn’t be spending $80,000 for convenience,” and urged consideration of passing some or all of that cost to users.
Administrators said alternative payment options remain available—families can still pay by check or cash at school offices—and staff noted certain transaction types could be excluded from the fee. An administrative staff member (speaker 16) said they are working with the payment vendor (Refract/RevTrack) to ensure some transactions, like certain donations or specific registration types, can be configured to avoid the fee.
Key details adopted: - Fee structure: a 2.2% convenience/processing pass-through on RevTrack online payments, described in discussion as roughly half of the district’s full processing cost (4.39%). - Implementation: the fee will be passed to payers at the time of transaction; administration will monitor usage, staff workload and equity impacts and may return to the board to revise the approach.
Why it matters: the fee shifts some processing costs from the district’s operating funds to families who use online payment convenience. Board members raised concerns about whether lower-income families or households with multiple children could be disproportionately affected and about increased demands on office staff if more families switch to in-person payments.
The board approved the 2.2% convenience fee by voice/roll-call procedures recorded in the meeting; administration will monitor the policy’s effects and may bring adjustments back to the board.
