Marblehead High parking policy to be approved

MARBLEHEAD – Marblehead High parking space is a privilege, and students who drive on school property without a seatbelt on could lose that parking space.On a second reading, School Committee members accepted Marblehead High Principal John Ziergiebel’s seat belt policy last week with some added restrictions.The policy will take away the high school parking spaces of high school seniors who repeatedly drive without their seatbelts on, or allow passengers to ride without their seatbelts fastened.Ziergiebel told the committee last month that a senior’s parking space is a prized possession – and he plans to be outside in the morning and afternoon, making sure the policy is enforced.First-time offenders will receive a written warning and traffic-safety educational material and their parents or guardians will be notified.Second-time offenders will lose parking privileges at the high school for two weeks. Third-time offenders will have parking privileges revoked for the remainder of the school year. Non-student operators will receive a warning along with traffic-safety educational material.Since only seniors have parking spaces, committee members wanted to make sure there was a punishment for underclassmen.The policy now has language that applies to students without parking privileges. On a second offense their parking privileges will be withheld for two weeks, and on a third offense their parking privileges will be revoked “as applicable.”After the third reading next week the policy will be formally approved.