Policy 7.17

General Parking Policies and Drop-Off/Pick-up Procedures for Students at Schools

General Parking Policy - Alternative Means of Transportation [Carpooling and Public Transportation]

1. The purpose of this Policy is to provide some supplemental standards to those required by Federal or State law as to school parking facilities and drop-off procedures. Principals are encouraged, where practicable and adequate site area exists, to employ the following standards at their campuses.

2. The use of car pooling and public transportation should be encouraged at all schools to the extent possible. This would include the school's notifying parents that the Florida Department of Transportation's South Florida Commuter Services offers technical and professional assistance for the establishment of car pooling and commuter service programs through its "SchoolPool" program and services. A person's participation in this ride sharing program would be strictly voluntary and the parent's decision on the type of transportation to be utilized is solely within the parent's discretion. The School Board and the school do not have any control, responsibility or authority over those coordinating or providing transportation except when students are on a school bus operated by the School Board. There will be no investigation of the driving or criminal record of those making application to participate in the ride sharing program. The School Board and the school are not liable for the negligence or other actions of non-School Board personnel. The SchoolPool's website has its own privacy policy and any information provided to its sites would be subject to the site's own privacy policies and personal information provided on the registration form would be disseminated to other registrants.

3. To ensure compliance with requirements of this Policy, Principals shall work with the School District's Facilities Management Division staff to designate parking spaces as appropriate. Any change to the gross number or space size of staff, visitor, handicap or student parking spaces, traffic lane sizes, directional arrows and traffic signage must be reviewed, inspected and approved by Facilities Management.

   Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up Area and Parking Space Designations

4. Drop-off and/or pick-up areas at schools as well as all parking space designations shall be in accordance with all applicable State and Federal laws. Once all legal requirements have been met, such as the provision of handicapped spaces, schools are encouraged to designate additional parking in accordance with the following recommendations, if space needs permit:

   1. Designate short-term (ex. 20 minute) visitor parking near the entrance of the main office for up to 5 vehicles.

   2. Designate preferred parking near the entrance of the main office with the following recommended spaces:

      1. Volunteer of the Month (1 space),

      2. Carpool Vehicles (up to 3 spaces) (strongly recommended at schools with known or expected traffic congestion problems),

      3. Business Partner of the Month (1 space),

      4. Employee of the Month (1 space),

      5. Public Safety Officer (1 space),

      6. Expectant Mother (1 space),

      7. Low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles (5% of total spaces).

   3. Other staff parking may be near the entrance of the main office; however, other than as required by law it should not be closer than the short-term visitor parking or the preferred parking.

   4. Parking for students and staff shall be separated at high schools.

   5. Parking should be designated for staff only near the cafeteria, other than as required by law. At least one space in this area should be reserved for non-school District staff visiting the school.

   6. Schools may auction off a preferred parking space for up to one year as a means of raising funds.

   Parking Spaces and Lighted Parking Lots

5. The painting of parking spaces by non-authorized personnel is prohibited as it may result in creating a hazardous condition. The painting of car stops is permitted.

6. Facilities Management, in consultation with School Police and the Principal, shall determine the hours the lights in the parking lot will be turned off and on. The Principal should instruct staff who are working after dark to park in areas that will be lit. This area or these areas shall be as compact and as close to the building as possible for safety and to limit the amount of lighting required.

7. If space allows, designated parking spaces on campus must be separated from designated bus and parent drop-off/pickup drives; otherwise appropriate safety devices must be provided.

   Towing of Vehicles, Cars Lined Up On Campus and General Rights of Schools to Regulate Parking

8. Student on-campus parking at high schools is addressed in a separate school board policy.

9. Any unauthorized vehicles may be towed at the owner's expense, and signs shall be posted on the campus advising of same as required by law.

10. Cars lined up on campus prior to student dismissal should be instructed to turn off their engines in order to reduce emissions for the safety of the children.

11. Schools may develop additional practices regarding parking and drop-off and pick-up of students that are consistent with this Policy as well as State and Federal law.