Jefferson High Student, Parent Question Parking Policy

A mother of a Jefferson Township High School senior has questioned the district's parking policy after she claims her son was unfairly penalized for an infraction that he was already punished for last year.

According to Julie Labita, her son, Conor, initially lost his parking privileges for a semester, the equivalent of two marking periods, for an infraction she admits he committed, but that he believed had been adequately satisfied.

“Conor drove to school at the end of junior year and parked in a friend’s spot,” she said. “I’m not condoning it, and I know and he knows he was wrong. But he got a ticket from the Jefferson police and paid it. I thought that would be the end of it.”

Regarding underclassmen parking on campus, the high school’s parking policy states as follows: “Any freshman, sophomore or junior parking and/or any unidentified vehicle parked on the school campus may be subject to the following penalties: ticketing by the local police, vehicle towed, detentions, suspensions and possible loss of driving privileges as a senior.”

The policy does not state the length of loss of driving privileges as a senior, nor does it state what punishment would be meted out for what infraction of the policy.

Julie Labita said she had a conversation with Superintendent Joseph Kraemer regarding Conor’s parking status.

“I did mention my concern and frustration about the carryover of the punishment, and Mr. Kraemer did seem to agree with me that once Conor paid the ticket, the matter should have been resolved,” she said. “I also suggested that in the future perhaps students should be reminded of the parking policy in their junior year and much of this could be avoided.”

Kraemer suggested that Julie Labita contact high school Assistant Principal Vickki Nadler, who told her that Conor’s name had come up in a lottery for a parking spot on campus, and that he would be eligible to receive parking by the end of September.

“Mrs. Nadler told me that parking privileges are based on many criteria, and that Conor is now eligible because he registered early and his name came to the top of the list,” Julie Labita said.

According to the parking policy, “all students parking at the high school will be drawn by lottery and is by permit only. Due to limited space, only seniors may apply for a permit.”

Kraemer would not comment on a specific student's issues, and directed Patch to the district's parking policy.