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Board debates high school parking-fee increases; asks superintendent to revisit rates
Summary
Board members questioned a proposed jump in student parking permit fees at several high schools and directed the superintendent or his designee to meet with principals to seek a consistent, lower fee across traditional high schools.
Board members raised concerns about a proposed increase in student parking permit fees at traditional high schools and asked district leadership to reconvene principals to seek a consistent, lower rate.
A board member asked that parking permit costs for traditional high schools be reconsidered so fees across the district would be around $65–$70 rather than the $100 level some principals had proposed. The request followed inquiries from parents concerned about affordability—one parent with two student drivers described the jump as "pricey."
Staff said principals had looked at peer districts and in some cases proposed $100 to meet local needs; examples cited in the meeting included Wake County (higher) and other neighboring systems. Board members pushed back on what one called the perception of the school funds as a revenue source, noting that some school accounts were carrying balances and asking for transparency about how permit proceeds are spent.
The board did not adopt a fee change at the meeting. Instead members asked Superintendent Ellis or his designee, Mr. White, to convene high school principals before the start of school to try to achieve more uniform pricing and to gather details on historical permit rates, collections and expenditures. Board members also requested clarity on whether and how parents were notified of fee changes.
Members raised implementation questions including when the last systemwide change occurred; one board member said the $65 baseline had been in place for many years but that exact timing was not specified during the discussion. Board members emphasized they want consistent fee schedules so that families who move between district schools are not charged different rates for parking.
Board members also debated policy authority: one member noted state statute assigns fee-setting authority to the board and said the district had previously delegated some fee authority to school principals by board policy. That board member asked for a review of which fees should be subject to formal board approval.
The discussion ended with direction to staff to gather the principals, collect data on past fees and expenditures, and report back to the board before or at the start of the school year.
