Morristown, MHS to Offer Discounted Student Parking

Alive at 25 is a safe driving program for teens at Morristown High School and now, not only will this program get a student a parking permit, but may give a student huge discounts on parking as well.

“In June 2009, Morristown High School, with the support of the Morris School District Board of Education, amended the Senior Parking Policy to mandate the attendance of a parent with a student at the National Safety Council Teen Driver Program (“Alive at 25”) before a Morristown High School student submits an application for a senior parking permit,” according to an MHS letter sent home to parents.

At a June Morristown council meeting, Vincent Leahey, of Morris Plains and the senior class vice president, brought up student concerns to the town council. Concerns included limited parking in the high school’s lot, high costs of parking garages and the 2-hour parking restriction put in place earlier this year for residential streets around the high school, which led to students’ accumulated tickets and fines.

To find a compromise for both students and the residents, Councilman Stefan Armington set up a meeting with the district on June 21 and discussed their plans at the council’s meeting last week.

“I had the opportunity to sit down with Superintendent (Thomas) Ficarro on Friday and discuss the high school parking issue. The parking authority has graciously offered a significant reduction, over 50 percent reduction, for parking spaces in surrounding lots,” said Armington. “Dr. Ficarro was very appreciative of that. We’re looking forward to starting up a program that’s run by the school district. The school district would offer these parking rates to students who have taken the Alive at 25 course. Alive at 25 educates students in respectful and responsible driving.”

He added that he will follow up with High School Principal Ethel Minchello to set up the program to run in September.

Councilwoman Raline Smith-Reid asked if this was in addition to what students are offered in Lot 6.

Smith-Reid has some insight into the parking situation with a high school daughter who’s currently parking at Lot 6. She wanted to make sure on the details of the reduced parking program. 

“Historically they were offered at Lot 6F. Dr. Ficarra was not aware of that so after the last meeting, the parking authority offered these rates at (the Mall Lot) and Dalton garage … this is also in the interest of property owners who want students off residential streets.”

 “Dr. Ficara is going to be in charge of getting this all out (and informing students and parents),” said Mayor Tim Dougherty.