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Board approves $20 increase in high school student parking fees to offset security costs, waivers available
Summary
Buncombe County Schools approved raising student parking fees at high schools from $60 to $80 to help pay for security guards; the district said waivers exist for families unable to pay and that local funds still subsidize guard costs.
The Buncombe County Board of Education approved an increase in student parking fees at traditional high schools from $60 to $80 to help offset the cost of school security guards.
Tina Thorpe, answering questions from the board, said the fees are “100% used to cover the security guards at the 6 traditional high schools,” and that the district also contributes local dollars to cover the remainder of the cost. Thorpe said the district will continue to use local funds in addition to the fee revenue.
When asked about families who cannot pay, Thorpe explained that “all of our schools have a waiver process for students whose family may not be able to afford the fee,” and principals work with families; appeals can be referred to the central office. Board members stated they had consulted high school principals while developing the proposal.
The motion to approve the fee increase carried by voice vote. Board members said they supported keeping access to school parking while reducing the local subsidy burden for security services; the district reported it will still contribute a local amount (noted in the meeting as $154,000) toward guards across the high schools.
