The Johnson County Board of Commissioners gave the green light to a county ordinance that will allow Center Grove school officials to enforce parking rules around their schools.
Center Grove Community Schools asked the county board to pass the ordinance which regulates the use of no parking zones. The ordinance was considered at a meeting in early December and was given final approval in mid-January.
The ordinance is slated to take effect in July, and school officials hope to use the time between now and then to educate parents and install signs to warn them and others who park illegally that they could face fines. Parking around the schools, especially at drop-off and pick-up times, had created potentially unsafe conditions for students, said Bill Long, assistant superintendent.
The ordinance establishes designated parking, pick-up and drop-off zones at school properties that can be regulated by local authorities, according to the ordinance.
The ordinance would have the following rules.
No person shall stop, stand or park a motor vehicle at any time on any Center Grove Community School grounds that have been designated as “No Parking Zones” or “No Student Drop-off or Pick-up Zones.”
Emergency, maintenance, law enforcement, fire, government agency or medical services vehicle responding to a call would be exempt.
The school district will post “No Parking Zone” or “No Student Drop-Off or Pick-up Zone” signs; or similar language signs or markings on the school properties affected.
A fine of $100 could be levied for each offense.
