The Debate Over Senate Bill 219 Balancing Modern Convenience with Traditional Payment Methods

Ensuring Inclusivity in School Event Access: The Implications of Senate Bill 219

On February 13, the Senate Education Committee voted 4-3 in favour of Senate Bill 219, which would require schools to accept cash for school-affiliated events. Introduced by Senator Greg Blanc, a Republican from Rapid City, the bill mirrors House Bill 1017 by Representative John Sjaarda, a Republican from Valley Springs. Despite the failure of House Bill 1017 in the House two weeks earlier, Senate Bill 219 is set for discussion in the Senate next week. The legislation responds to the Sioux Falls School District and other local districts adopting a cashless ticketing system with the Iowa-based company, Bound.

The district cited "convenience, enhanced safety, efficiency, and environmental impact" as reasons for implementing the cashless system, noting that contactless payment has "become the norm around the country." In response, Senator Greg Blanc introduced SB 219 to "represent all people, especially those who are legitimately being disenfranchised." He received support from individuals who had been turned away from school events for attempting to pay with cash instead of a credit card.

Proponents of the bill argued it would reduce "hassle for all involved." Susan Luschas of Brandon, and her daughter Soraya, who attends Lincoln High School, described varied experiences since the cashless ticketing policy was implemented. At times, they attended events for free or had their cash accepted, while on other occasions, they were turned away. Sioux Falls resident Michele Klimek recounted her experience attempting to purchase a ticket for a high school theatre production with cash. Initially, the Sioux Falls School District office referred her to the Instructional Planning Center, which was unable to assist and redirected her to the hosting school. Subsequently, she contacted the athletic director, who noted her name and her companions, waiving their entry fees. However, Klimek described the process as a "hassle for all involved" and has not attended any local school events since then.

At a recent school board meeting, Sioux Falls resident Nikki McCormick shared that she and her husband were denied entry to Howard Wood Field to watch their son's performance because they wanted to pay in cash. Similarly, Jennifer Baron from Spearfish voiced concerns about agreeing to the "privacy and tracking policies" of the out-of-state company, Bound. She explained that this issue arises whenever she attends school events in Sioux Falls, and she worries it might soon affect events in Rapid City schools as well. In response to SB 219 supporters, Sam Nelson, a lobbyist for the Sioux Falls School District, noted that one individual who claimed to have been denied entry was offered free admission but declined. He did not specify who it was. Nelson characterized SB 219 as an "attempt to create an issue and make something bigger than what it was." He emphasized Sioux Falls' right to maintain its policy and pointed out that proponents had not formally requested a policy change from the school board.

Dan Swartos, director of the South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA), informed the committee that SDHSAA accepts cash at all its events, including tournaments, season-end championships, and all-state band, jazz band, and show choir events. However, Swartos mentioned that SDHSAA considered transitioning to a cashless system due to handling substantial starting cash amounts between $10,000 and $20,000, as cashless systems minimize fraud opportunities. He further clarified that the SDHSAA does not control the ticketing systems used by larger venues, such as the Mitchell Corn Palace or Sanford Pentagon. He noted that SDHSAA events already compete for space with larger events and expressed concern that the bill could result in the SDHSAA losing access to these venues in the future.

Lobbyists from the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the South Dakota Retailers Association expressed similar concerns, questioning responsibility for handling cash payments at larger venues during school events and describing the bill as an imposition on private businesses. Heath Larson, representing the Associated School Boards of South Dakota, voiced opposition to the bill from a "local control perspective." He urged the committee to let local school boards address the issue and resolve any challenges at the local level. This legislation, therefore, continues to spark a heated debate over the balance between modern convenience and equitable access to school event ticketing.

Editor's Note:

As debates surrounding modern convenience versus equitable access intensify, Senate Bill 219 brings to the forefront a critical discussion on ticketing policies for school events. The legislation ensures that everyone, regardless of their preferred payment method, has the opportunity to participate in and support their local schools. While technology advances and the push for cashless systems grows, it is crucial to consider those who may be disenfranchised by such changes. This bill raises important questions about inclusivity, local control, and the responsibilities of educational institutions and private businesses. 

According to Skoobuzz as the Senate prepares to discuss SB 219, it is clear that the outcome of this debate will have significant implications for the future of school event accessibility in our communities.