Q: Can a town in MA charge its public high school students a fee to park in a free public lot off school property?
The parking lot in question is across the street from the high school and is on town property, but not the school's. There is a fee at this lot for beach users to park there from May to August, but it's free to the public the rest of the year. However, while free and open for the general public during the school year, the town charges $150 for students to park there (the school's student parking lot - which is also $150 - is reserved for seniors only, so this is not an option for younger drivers). This seems discriminatory to single out teenagers and make them pay a hefty fee to park where adults can do so for free from August to April. Is this fee legal?
A: In Massachusetts, public high schools are generally funded by taxes and state funds to ensure equal access to education. Charging students a fee to park in a free public lot off school property might raise concerns about access and legality. The state has regulations regarding student fees and equal access to education.
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