I used $35 per hour cost. That’s not the same as wage. Employer pays FICA, insurance, retirement, etc. I also think it matters that the fee is only after a certain number free, presumably close to ten since you refuse to be specific.
Your cost is easily $100 per school with score sends, application fees, etc. If that doesn’t encourage you to limit the schools your kid applies to, then why worry about this fee? 5-7 is a reasonable number of applications.
And my D plays sports and band for a public HS. There are a lot of parent funds plus fundraisers for sports. Tax payers do not foot the whole bill.
And remember, adults with no kids from young to old pay taxes for the public school with only the societal benefit of public education. I’m ok with some costs being transferred to the user.
If you have fee waivers, you should still limit the number of applications.