Wake County high school students will be paying $50 more to park at their high schools this year. A recent increase from $120 to $170 was recently passed by the Wake County Board of Education.

District 7 (west Raleigh and Morrisville) representative Patti Head said she understands that for some families, the increase may stretch the family budget. “We, as a board, felt that because the budget was not completely funded this year, a reasonable increase in the parking fee would be an alternative revenue source,” she said. “I know this may be a challenge for some, and I regret that.”

“Increases in the parking fee have been intermittent and infrequent,” said Eleanor Goettee, the District 9 (western Wake County) school board representative. “The fee is not exorbitant or unreasonable, especially considering some students pay higher rates to park off-campus.”

Goettee said the increase does not address one particular line item in the board’s budget but serves as a general source of revenue.