Fairhope, Alabama
STUDENT SEEKS RELIEF
Fairhope High School sophomore Trey Jones recently asked the city council to consider allowing students to park in the city parking lot at near-by Founders Park.
Jones: "Half of the sophomore class has already turned 16 ... we are being held back by not being able to drive to school ... having to take the bus ... its crowded, 4 people to a seat meant for 2 people ... have people sitting on the (bus) floor."
Jones conceded that student parking had been allowed at the park at one time (5 or 6 yrs. ago), but was ceased because of student drug and alcohol activity there.
Jones: "... you could charge for parking at Founders ... hire more law enforcement ... have K-9 units check for drugs ... make sure kids aren't drinking there."
Jones said he was willing to make repairs to the parking lot himself, paint and number spaces, as his eagle scout leadership project.
He went on the say that some additional student parking is currently available at nearby Big John's Tree Service, but crossing Twin Beech Rd. on foot is dangerous there "because of students turning in and ... half the girls that drive to school ... put on make up while in the car ... they could easily hit somebody ... not even realize what they've done."
PRINCIPAL PLANS MORE PARKING
Council President Burrell read a letter from school Principal Jon Cardwell indicating the school plans to add 80-90 more spaces in the grassy area north of the current parking lot and 40 more spaces at the adjacent middle school for athletes (Spring and Fall sports). No timeline was given though.
Cardwell said using the Founder's lot would create a serious safety issue because Alabama law does not allow off campus searches (cars) for drugs and alcohol.
Fairhope Police Chief Petties agreed: "The school has their own policies for searching vehicles. We would have to go through a search warrant process ... to do that ... its a safety issue at Founders Park."
The city's Recreation Department Director Tom Kuhl said when student parking was previously allowed there, vandalism to restrooms and other ball park facilities routinely occurred during school hours.
POSSIBLE LEASE TO SCHOOL
Mayor Kant said the school's previous principal asked the city to stop allowing parking at founders 5 years ago because they (the school) had no control over the lot.
Kant: "So ... if we're going to allow it again ... the School Board would have to have control over that location ... during the day ... like the chief said ... we can't enforce different rules on our property ... have to treat every citizen with their rights ... even though there may be something in their vehicle."
Kant said there were other prior issues as well: " ... littering and a lot of other stuff going on ... not being respectful to the lot."
Kant said he would talk to the parties involved to see if some way could be found to give control over the lot to the School Board during school hours "so they'd be responsible, not the city."
Fairhope High School sophomore Trey Jones recently asked the city council to consider allowing students to park in the city parking lot at near-by Founders Park.
Jones: "Half of the sophomore class has already turned 16 ... we are being held back by not being able to drive to school ... having to take the bus ... its crowded, 4 people to a seat meant for 2 people ... have people sitting on the (bus) floor."
Jones conceded that student parking had been allowed at the park at one time (5 or 6 yrs. ago), but was ceased because of student drug and alcohol activity there.
Jones: "... you could charge for parking at Founders ... hire more law enforcement ... have K-9 units check for drugs ... make sure kids aren't drinking there."
Jones said he was willing to make repairs to the parking lot himself, paint and number spaces, as his eagle scout leadership project.
He went on the say that some additional student parking is currently available at nearby Big John's Tree Service, but crossing Twin Beech Rd. on foot is dangerous there "because of students turning in and ... half the girls that drive to school ... put on make up while in the car ... they could easily hit somebody ... not even realize what they've done."
PRINCIPAL PLANS MORE PARKING
Council President Burrell read a letter from school Principal Jon Cardwell indicating the school plans to add 80-90 more spaces in the grassy area north of the current parking lot and 40 more spaces at the adjacent middle school for athletes (Spring and Fall sports). No timeline was given though.
Cardwell said using the Founder's lot would create a serious safety issue because Alabama law does not allow off campus searches (cars) for drugs and alcohol.
Fairhope Police Chief Petties agreed: "The school has their own policies for searching vehicles. We would have to go through a search warrant process ... to do that ... its a safety issue at Founders Park."
The city's Recreation Department Director Tom Kuhl said when student parking was previously allowed there, vandalism to restrooms and other ball park facilities routinely occurred during school hours.
POSSIBLE LEASE TO SCHOOL
Mayor Kant said the school's previous principal asked the city to stop allowing parking at founders 5 years ago because they (the school) had no control over the lot.
Kant: "So ... if we're going to allow it again ... the School Board would have to have control over that location ... during the day ... like the chief said ... we can't enforce different rules on our property ... have to treat every citizen with their rights ... even though there may be something in their vehicle."
Kant said there were other prior issues as well: " ... littering and a lot of other stuff going on ... not being respectful to the lot."
Kant said he would talk to the parties involved to see if some way could be found to give control over the lot to the School Board during school hours "so they'd be responsible, not the city."
Comments
I am not against paying to properly fund schools, even though we sacrifice to pay for private school for child. But don't tell me that $8,000 per year per student is not enough money. Cut the waste, cut the free everything. More money is not the solution to every problem, except for people like you who no problem being generous with other peoples' money.