City officials say parking violations for Boston school staff will no longer be dismissed starting Feb. 1, 2026

Councilor Erin Murphy read into the record a letter from Amelia Capone, identified as director of parking and curbside management, stating that the Office of the Parking Clerk and the Boston Transportation Department will no longer dismiss parking violations validly issued to vehicles of Boston Public Schools or school staff starting Feb. 1, 2026.

The change, Murphy said at a City Services Committee meeting chaired by Ed Flynn, also removes recognition of any school‑specific plaque cards or historical exemptions. The letter, Murphy said, asked school leaders to contact Isabelle Gretchell with questions and said OPC and BTD remain open to discussing broader policy solutions within the constraints of existing curbside regulations.

"We recognize that reliable access is important, particularly given the demands placed on teachers and school staff," the letter reads in part, while adding that parking regulations must be applied consistently "to balance access, safety, and fairness" and to maintain turnover in regulated public parking.

Nancy, a public commenter on Zoom, told the committee she was concerned about equitable treatment and said curbspace should be available to everyone. "I think that parking is a real problem," she said, urging stronger incentives for public transportation for lower‑income residents and describing local issues such as residents being required to move cars early in the morning and private actors reserving curb spaces with cones. She also told the committee that she had used the online appeals process and found the appeals office did not apply consistent rules.

Chair Ed Flynn said the school‑parking issue will remain with the City Services Committee and offered to provide follow‑up responses to Nancy. "If you need to reach out to me directly, I can give you my email," Flynn said, offering to take written questions and obtain staff responses.

The letter read by Murphy said that starting Feb. 1, 2026, OPC will not dismiss parking violations validly issued to BPS vehicles or school staff and that any school‑specific plaque card or historical exemptions will no longer be recognized. It invited further conversation about "broader policy aligned solutions or alternative strategies" that fit within current curbside rules.

No formal vote or council action on the change was recorded at the meeting; the announcement was made via the letter read into the committee record.