BAT recommendations- student parking fees

[LA]

The Salem Keizer Budget Advisory Team (BAT)- has submitted their recommendations to the school board.
Their proposal includes a recommendation for $30.00 a month student parking fees for high school students who avail
themselves of this privilege.
This would place that option out of my families price range. City bus service is not available where we live- so that
too would not be an option. The school bus is only available to and from the start and finish of the school day- it
does not include after school activities- such as the study halls, clubs, music and sports events my students
participate in.
Obviously I think the recommendation is out of line- but I would like to hear feedback from others.
Salem Mom

[Albee Kuminova]

Post by LA
The Salem Keizer Budget Advisory Team (BAT)- has submitted their recommendations to the school board.
Their proposal includes a recommendation for $30.00 a month student parking fees for high school students who avail
themselves of this privilege.
This would place that option out of my families price range. City bus service is not available where we live- so that
too would not be an option. The school bus is only available to and from the start and finish of the school day- it
does not include after school activities- such as the study halls, clubs, music and sports events my students
participate in.
Obviously I think the recommendation is out of line- but I would like to hear feedback from others.
Salem Mom

I think it's fair. Some state workers pay sixty a month to park. Check
with the Salem bus company. I KNOW they serve all Salem high schools.
People who work down town have to pay for parking permits. Maybe they
could drive then park a mile away and walk to school. Money is short in
school budgets so cuts must be made. Or they could hitch a ride with
friends.

[LA]

Albee-
Your information about the Cherriots is inaccurate. West Salem High was built in a location that the Cherriots did not
serve. They agreed to put in a special bus run- 2 times in the AM, 2 times after school. Not full service. Not evenings,
not weekends- thus not available for after school activities.
Both Sprague and West boundries include rural areas that the Cherriots does not serve at all- we live over 3 miles from
the nearest stop.
I clarify your information only because it is assumptions like that that likely were incorporated in the current proposal.

LA

Post by Albee Kuminova

Post by LA
The Salem Keizer Budget Advisory Team (BAT)- has submitted their recommendations to the school board.
Their proposal includes a recommendation for $30.00 a month student parking fees for high school students who avail
themselves of this privilege.
This would place that option out of my families price range. City bus service is not available where we live- so that
too would not be an option. The school bus is only available to and from the start and finish of the school day- it
does not include after school activities- such as the study halls, clubs, music and sports events my students
participate in.
Obviously I think the recommendation is out of line- but I would like to hear feedback from others.
Salem Mom

I think it's fair. Some state workers pay sixty a month to park. Check
with the Salem bus company. I KNOW they serve all Salem high schools.
People who work down town have to pay for parking permits. Maybe they
could drive then park a mile away and walk to school. Money is short in
school budgets so cuts must be made. Or they could hitch a ride with
friends.

[Albee Kuminova]

Post by LA
Albee-
Your information about the Cherriots is inaccurate. West Salem High was built in a location that the Cherriots did not
serve. They agreed to put in a special bus run- 2 times in the AM, 2 times after school. Not full service. Not evenings,
not weekends- thus not available for after school activities.
Both Sprague and West boundries include rural areas that the Cherriots does not serve at all- we live over 3 miles from
the nearest stop.
I clarify your information only because it is assumptions like that that likely were incorporated in the current proposal.
LA

Post by Albee Kuminova

Post by LA
The Salem Keizer Budget Advisory Team (BAT)- has submitted their recommendations to the school board.
Their proposal includes a recommendation for $30.00 a month student parking fees for high school students who avail
themselves of this privilege.
This would place that option out of my families price range. City bus service is not available where we live- so that
too would not be an option. The school bus is only available to and from the start and finish of the school day- it
does not include after school activities- such as the study halls, clubs, music and sports events my students
participate in.
Obviously I think the recommendation is out of line- but I would like to hear feedback from others.
Salem Mom

I think it's fair. Some state workers pay sixty a month to park. Check
with the Salem bus company. I KNOW they serve all Salem high schools.
People who work down town have to pay for parking permits. Maybe they
could drive then park a mile away and walk to school. Money is short in
school budgets so cuts must be made. Or they could hitch a ride with
friends.

Nevertheless, if students CHOOSE to drive to school why should I as a
taxpayer pay for their parking. For that matter why should I pay for
private golf lessons by a district-paid coach for some one else's kid to
be on the golf team. If we cut the extras we can save the basics.

Do they charge to park at the school during weekends or evenings or
after school? Can't the student bus home and take a car back? what about
carpooling or parents taking them to the activity and picking them up
when it's over?

We are in a tight budget and people do not want to subsidize the parents
of kids getting more than a basic education. Sure, clubs are valuable
but they are extra curricular activities. And clubs can meet during
lunch hours. As for the study halls...........aren't they during school
time like band classes?

[LA]

Post by Albee Kuminova
Nevertheless, if students CHOOSE to drive to school why should I as a
taxpayer pay for their parking. For that matter why should I pay for
private golf lessons by a district-paid coach for some one else's kid to
be on the golf team. If we cut the extras we can save the basics.
Do they charge to park at the school during weekends or evenings or
after school? Can't the student bus home and take a car back? what about
carpooling or parents taking them to the activity and picking them up
when it's over?
We are in a tight budget and people do not want to subsidize the parents
of kids getting more than a basic education. Sure, clubs are valuable
but they are extra curricular activities. And clubs can meet during
lunch hours. As for the study halls...........aren't they during school
time like band classes?

Albee-
I fear our conversation is about to become adversarial, but I'll bite.

Why support your school's, and the variety of activities offered? Because by doing so you are supporting your community,
investing in the health of your community, your youth, the future, and for those who are more focused on the benefits to
themselves- improving the quality of your own existence as you don't live your life in a void.

Yes, you are right, we can find a way around taking the car to school. At an increase in the use of fossil fuel, and a huge
waste of time spent traveling to and fro the extra trip each day. By the by, I am not advocating no fee for parking, just a
more affordable one- I feel $30 a month is excessive.

After school activities we have scheduled this week include a math league competition, Robotics team sessions, swim team and
music. These activities round out my son's education- they are the applications of that which is studied during the school day.

I agree- the school and the government needs to be fiscally responsible. I was raised in a large city- we relied on public
transportation for our needs- I hate that our high school students need to use private transportation as much as they do.
I would be in support of decreasing the use of school buses and partnering with the Cherriots system- so that students would
use the city buses to get to school, and could use the same buses on to come home at varied times.
But, at this point, as no city bus even comes close to my house, that is not an option.

Thanks for your input.
LA