When it comes to convenience, one local school district is revamping ways to better serve their population.
Elizabethton City Schools recently announced that parents of tuition students can now pay for tuition online, including the opportunity to make monthly payments. The service went live this month.
“This is something the Board and administrators began considering back in the fall, and we’re happy to be able to offer it now to our tuition-paying families,” said Bekah Price, ECS public relations coordinator. “We know parents have busy schedules so we hope they will enjoy this convenience.”
According to the district’s website, ECS is offering three different payment options online for families:
• Lump Sum – due by the first full day of school
• Twice Annual – due by the first day of school or first day of semester
• Monthly – due by the first day of the month (or first day of school)
Lump sum and twice annual payments can be made either online or at the student’s respective school. Monthly payments can only occur online.
ECS is utilizing the service of PayPal to receive payments. PayPal charges a convenience fee of roughly five percent, which is factored into the prices list online, according to Price.
“It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure payment is made on time. Parents will be notified when monthly payment is due, and students may be removed from school if payment is not made on time,” ECS states on their website describing the service.
Parents or guardians can pay tuition online by visiting ECSchools.net and clicking the “Pay Tuition” button located under the Parents’ tab.
The new online system is just one of the new ways that ECS is looking to expand services to citizens in the city. ECS announced during the month of April that they’ll be using Cyclone Connection — an online service used to accept new tuition and out-of-zone students. The services coincide with the launch for the system’s new website, which all occurred this year.
For updates and news from the school district, visit their website or the Elizabethton City Schools Facebook page online.