Parking lots an example of Fairfax schools" economic gap "There's some things I wish we had that I could provide with extra revenue," said Nardos King, principal of Mount Vernon High School near Alexandria, where more than half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, a federal measure of poverty. I just wish it didn't always come down to those who can afford it and those who can't. It's quite clear that my parking lot is empty for a reason. County students must pay $200 to purchase a parking tag for the school year, and some students are eligible for subsidies. High school principals keep 15 percent of the fees, or $30 for each space sold. On average, schools earn $7,400 each year from parking revenues, money that typically goes to purchase technology, such as interactive whiteboards, or security upgrades. Schools that make less obviously have less to spend. School board member Pat Hynes (Hunter Mill) said that can create an unfair disadvantage. "It creates a potential equity problem," Hynes said. That's a source of revenue that some schools have and others don't. . . . It's a good example of what we're up against in terms of the disparity in the community and lack of resources across the county. That disparity is easy to see in the county schools" parking lots. Wealthier schools sell out their parking spaces, with students whose families can afford cars and the fees. At some schools, parking spots are in such high demand that dozens of students sign up for waiting lists or park in overflow lots. At Madison High School, students who miss out on a school space can pay to park at a nearby Elks lodge. Administrators at Langley High School, where about 2 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, said that the school earned about $13,890 last year in parking fees. Poorer schools sell virtually no spots, according to data obtained by The Washington Post. Mount Vernon earned about $465 in parking revenue last year - less than the cost of one new iPad Air. Joan Daly, president of the Falls Church High School Parent, Teacher, Student Association, said it is unfortunate that schools with a higher ratio of poor students take the biggest hit. At Falls Church, where about 57 percent of the students qualify for subsidized meals, the administration sold 68 of 120 parking spaces as of Oct. 15. Because some of the spaces are subsidized, the parking fees brought in about $1,600 to the school.