High School's Reserved Parking Spaces to Remain

The Saucon Valley School Board will continue to allow three parking spots to be reserved for students who win them at the nonprofit Saucon Valley Foundation for Educational Innovation's annual silent auction.

At the Aug. 9 school board meeting, the matter was discussed but no action will be taken because only one school board member, Lanita Lum, expressed concern over the reserved parking spots.

Lum requested that the board look into the matter, because she said she feels the auctioning of the spaces is discriminatory to non-wealthy students.

"I am concerned about socio-economic discrimination on school property," she said. "I am not against the foundation, but I have a hard time supporting (something that is) money-motivated."

Lum asked the board solicitor, Mark Fitzgerald, if legally the situation could be described as discriminatory, to which he replied that he believes it cannot.

Fitzgerald said discrimination is an intentional act and the use of the parking spaces is not part of intentional discrimination against anyone.

"We are designating these spaces for a specific reason," school board member Michael Karabin said. "We also have (parking) spaces for every other student. There are many other kids who have money that park in the other spaces."

Saucon Valley Foundation for Educational Innovation Chair Susan Kennedy said the auctioning of the spaces raises more than $1,000 each year, which helps "enhance the learning atmosphere" in the district.

According to the foundation's website, "foundation funds are not intended to substitute or replace existing taxpayer funding. Instead they are meant to supplement programs and give teachers the opportunity to expand their curriculum with items that don’t fall under the school budget."

Lum said she feels $1,000 isn't that much money and would rather see the board help the foundation auction off other items. The foundation also auctions off front row seats to football games and graduation, which Lum said she also feels is discriminatory.

Last month, the board agreed with Lum's earlier suggestion .

Resident Nancy Paulik said she was in favor of keeping the fee.

"This isn't a right; it's a privilege," she said, referring to parking at the school.

She said that at $20 per year, the cost to park in the lot would amount to 10 or 11 cents per day, and that students "spend more than 10 cents per day on gas."

Paulik also told the board that requiring students to register their cars is a smart idea, and proposed the idea of assigned parking.

She said doing so might be beneficial in keeping track of student attendance.