Committee adopts student-fee policy language keeping cash as an accepted payment option

The Policy Committee of the Whole approved a revision to the student-fee policy that encourages cashless payments but maintains the district's obligation to accept cash. Mister Toler, who introduced the change, said a complete ban on cash would be "not being fair to the public" and urged the board to preserve payment options for families who rely on cash.

"But to completely rule cash out is not being fair to the public," Mister Toler said. He cited operational problems at a Sumner High football game as an example of why cash acceptance must remain available: where limited card terminals created long lines, a separate cash line "instantly" cleared the crowd, he said. Administration told the committee it supports finding practical solutions, such as central collection points or campus financial clerks, and will work with principals to ensure dual-control cash handling and address card-processing fee questions.

After discussion the committee took a roll-call vote and passed the motion to adopt the student-fee language. The committee recorded that administration will return recommended implementation details and cross-references to other related policies (gates/admissions and other fee-related sections). No public commenters addressed this agenda item during the committee meeting.