By Hasan Mirasyedi, Staff Writer
On March 23, the Howard County Public School Systems announced they will be charging all high school students who park at school a daily parking fee. The new rule was announced the weekend of March 23rd and will be going into effect during the 2024-2025 school year. Howard County’s Board of Education recently underwent a $100 million budget cut from the state government. In order to combat the loss of budget, the board of education came up with this as a means of solving the problem.
Starting in August, “all students must pay a $1.25 fee everyday in order to be able to park on campus.” All Howard County public high schools will construct pay tolls placed all around the parking lot. The new system will work very similarly to pay tolls in public areas. Students will need to pay the fee at the toll with cash or credit card. The toll will then print out a small slip that students will place on their windshields so they are visible. If a student is caught parking without paying a toll fee, their car will be towed and sent to the nearest police station where they will have to pay a $500 fine. Howard County Board of Education Superintendent Bill Barnes believes “this is the solvent of all our problems. We’ll raise money for the county this way and will also influence some students not to drive to school which in turn could also help with our climate crisis, it’s a win-win situation.”
Students at River Hill however, do not seem to be as excited for the new policy as Bill Barnes is. Junior Zoe Pachoca expressed, “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard of. There’s no way I’m paying every day to park at school.” Sophomore Avi Fields agreed saying “I was looking forward to driving to school. Now I have to pay $225 dollars a year.” Sophomore Max Guzman added “I was looking forward to driving to school. Now my parents won’t let me. That’s so stupid.” The growing concerns from the new policy are really starting to irritate some students, however seniors seem to have a different look at it. Senior Mathew Choi loves the idea as he says “Best idea i’ve ever heard. I can’t wait to see all the juniors and sophomores suffer next year having to pay all that money.”
However one specific teacher that wishes to remain anonymous believes that this is for the better. The teacher explained “I hate student drivers. They suck at driving and are annoying. Everyday I come to school and some imbecile kid never fails to almost get into an accident with me. These student drivers make me crazy. Some times during my planning period I go out to the parking lot and scratch some cars with my keys. They deserve it. With the new policy hopefully not as many idiots take their daddy’s money cars to school.” Soon after interviewing the teacher, they were found in the parking lot blowing up student cars.