By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Students at Thompson High School will no longer be able to obtain a school parking permit before earning their driver’s licenses, the school system announced in late May.

For the upcoming school year, students also will no longer be able to park at Municipal Park or Warrior Park due to safety concerns, said Alabaster City Schools Student Services Coordinator Dorann Tanner.

In the past, students were allowed to obtain parking permits in advance of receiving their driver’s license. But for the upcoming school year, students must present a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance before they can obtain their parking permits.

Student discount activity cards with preferred parking and lockers will be available for purchase for $75 at THS on June 25-26 based on the following schedule:

-Seniors can purchase activity cards on Thursday, June 25, from 8-11 a.m.

-Juniors can purchase them on Thursday, June 25, from 1-4 p.m.

-Sophomores can purchase them on Friday, June 26, from 8-11 a.m.

-Last call for discount cards is on Friday, June 26, from 1-4 p.m.

Students will be able to purchase parking permits without an activity card for $50 during schedule pickup at THS on Aug. 3-4, or from the THS bookkeeper during the school year as supplies last.

Tanner said the school system also will no longer allow students to park in the two parks surrounding THS due to safety concerns. Previously, students who parked their vehicles at Warrior or Municipal parks walked to the school along Warrior Drive.

“There’s a safety issue with the students walking on the roads,” Tanner said. “Because it’s not property, we can’t regulate anything in the parks.

“It’s scary to have kids in an uncontrolled, unrestrained area and walking along those roads,” Tanner added.