Pay to Park or Park and Pay

By Samantha Schwartz ’16

Each year the fortunate few drive to and from school, gaining five extra minutes of sleep and speedily leaving right before the busses pull out. These student drivers gain the luxury of wheels, but at a cost. Students who park at school must pay $75 at the beginning of the year for a parking permit.

The initial parking permit and cost itself are no different from other years, but what is new are the consequences that result in parking without a permit. In the past students were issued a warning or a small fine if caught without a permit, but this school year students found parking without a permit hanging from their front mirror will be issued a county citation parking ticket, written contest the fine in court.

If students fail to pay the initial ticket or do not appear in court, their license will be suspended, just like any other county-issued parking ticket. Students caught driving without paying their ticket, meaning a suspended license, will receive larger fines by a county police officer.