Committee moves to use Square card readers for concessions and to apply a consumer convenience fee

Committee members and staff discussed adopting a card-processing solution for school concessions and how to handle associated fees.

Speakers compared options including Square’s free reader, handheld terminals and register-style setups. Staff noted typical card-processing costs as "2.6% plus 15¢" per transaction; one speaker illustrated that equals roughly $0.25 on a $5 sale. Panelists debated whether clubs or the district should absorb transaction fees or whether customers should be charged a convenience fee. Staff recommended clear signage at concessions to notify customers about any added fee.

Participants discussed practical matters: linking the reader to the existing money box and assigning responsibility for cash and equipment, equipment durability for student operators, and setup options that would let staff add a fee via a terminal button. The meeting noted there is no ATM on site.

A committee member stated the group would "go forward with the Square app device and service for concessions and make the notice to the consumer that they will be charging" convenience fees; no formal recorded roll-call vote was taken during the discussion. Staff said they would pilot the setup, collect transaction data and revisit equipment or fee decisions later.