The parking lot has been an ongoing issue for many years, not just the flow of it but the limited space in the parking lot. But, should seniors have to deal with underclassmen taking their spots creating tardies and conflict between peers? Allowing the ability to rely on a designated parking space in the morning will help reduce unsafe driving and stressful parking lot interactions.
The school could benefit from this change in many different ways. “I wouldn’t have to wake up hours early to make sure I can get a parking spot and not have to park on the street,” senior Quincy Collins said. These students, especially the individuals involved in sports, should be able to get a full night of sleep and not have to shorten that.
Ever since the teacher parking lot had gone under construction, and the incoming classes of freshmen and sophomores who have far more students in them, the parking lot has become so full that students are having to park on the streets or make their own parking spaces at the cul-de-sac near the Fine Arts Building (FAB).
Senior Marli Bishop expresses how she had to park on the street two blocks down from the school to make it to class on time. “I’m a senior. I shouldn’t have to park down the street when some sophomore who just got their license gets to park in the parking lot.” She then further explains how it affects her attendance. “Every time I have to park on the street I am always late to class and it’s about to get worse second semester.” With the administration working hard to correct the tardy system, designated parking for seniors could help students, especially the ones struggling with senioritis, attend their first period on time.
Students believe that this would be a privilege that underclassmen would be looking forward to being granted by the time they are seniors. “It would make it less chaotic if the seniors weren’t arguing with the underclassmen for parking spaces. This is definitely something the underclassmen would look forward to receiving when they are seniors,” senior Miah Wager said.
“It would be a great purchase, you wouldn’t have so much to worry about every morning, that would be so nice,” junior Skyler May said. He went on to say a way we could reserve these spots temporarily. “You could maybe use a cone that’s moveable like you can’t rent a cone. The monthly cone,” May said.
Vice Principal Tahnya Campbell responds to this topic saying, “It is possible. We are gathering information from parents, students, and community members. At this time we do not foresee any fees being paid to secure a parking space. We would love to pilot it this year, but there is a process and plan that needs to be developed first. We are including stakeholders in this plan.” As a senior receiving this information is very promising that a change could be made and that this parking spot conflict is being seen by administrators.
This is a shift in the school many people are looking forward to if taken action upon properly. If this is something you are interested in for yourself or for your student, express your opinion so changes can be made.
