Schools
Students Present Parking Plan for Governor Livingston High School
With students battling over parking at GLHS last year, three students came up with plan to eliminate parking privileges for juniors, which would allow enough parking spots for seniors.
There was quite a problem when it came to parking for seniors this past year at .
“There were too many seniors and juniors parking in the parking lots, and there weren’t enough spaces,” said Ronald Jordan, one of three students who came to the Board of Education meeting to present their parking plan on Thursday night. “People were parking illegally and there were a few minor accidents.”
The students came up with a plan on how to eliminate the problem for this upcoming year.
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“We propose to have only seniors drive,” Jordan said. “Seniors can register, and pay $10. After that, you will get your own assigned spot.”
Kerri Paliwoda, another student presenting the plan, said driving to school is supposed to be a senior privilege.
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“If there are more spots after [seniors] have registered, we will make them available to juniors for $20," Paliwoda said.
Superintendent Judith A. Rattner said the school doesn’t actually have enough spots for all of the students as it is.
“We have 224 total spots but have approximately 280 students,” Rattner said.
The students said that this plan was discussed with the leaving and rising seniors, but the juniors do not like the proposed plan.
When asked why they wouldn't just say, "only seniors can drive," rather than giving specific spots, the students said that it was an attempt to stop any juniors from trying to sneak in.
“By assigning spots, you can see when juniors are trying to park,” said Olivia Labau, another student presenting the plan. “Obviously if there is someone in your spot, you know they aren’t supposed to be.”
Most Board Members seemed to like the plan. But Board Member Paul Beisser said he thinks the plan needs a few tweaks.
“I think your fee is too low,” Beisser said. “Raise it and you can use that revenue for something else. Also, prohibit the transfer of permits because it will take just a bit before a senior buys a permit and then sells it to a junior for $100.”
If the plan is passed, the three students would conduct a lottery this summer for seniors.
Rattner said the board will determine if they will move forward with the plan and get back to the students. She also added that “[Principal Scott] McKinney is endorsing the proposal.”
