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| Parking problems: Perks, issues vary from school to school |
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| By Hope Arbesman, Dani Chung, Nic Dahl, Breeze Riley and Tony Smith, Times Youth Correspondents |
Friday, October 09, 2009 |
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North Carroll has many spaces, many potholes
Most North Carroll students would agree that the parking situation at their school this year is almost as good as it can get, at least in terms of space.
Parking spaces are ample, and although parking permits are still required, there is no competition to receive one.
Prior to the opening of Manchester Valley High School this fall, the parking lot at North Carroll was almost full each day. Not anymore.
The lot is expected to be even emptier next year as North Carroll’s enrollment will decrease by approximately 200 students.
While the North Carroll parking lot may be spacious, many students are unhappy with the recent crackdown on parking rules. The rules aren’t complicated: You must purchase a $20 parking permit, park in designated parking spaces, have an administrator’s permission to go to the parking lot during school hours and you cannot move your car during the school day.
To hold a permit, a student must not have any failing grades from the previous marking period.
“A ton of people got parking tickets yesterday,” said senior Mike Pardoe.
Pardoe was surprised to leave school Tuesday afternoon and see the amount of people who had received tickets. Both Pardoe and fellow senior Eric Yirka agree that most of the violations were students who didn’t obtain parking permits.
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Many students have also expressed concern over the condition of the school’s parking lot. Many spots in the parking lot are full of cracks, potholes and other bumps due to the lot’s age.
“I love how our parking lot is so much more spacious than last year, but I really wish it was in better condition,” said senior Patrick Lannon.
Tony Smith is a senior at North Carroll High School in Hampstead.
South Carroll puts new policy in place
Jim Horn, facilities manager and athletic director for South Carroll High School, said the biggest change to the parking policy this year is that students are assigned spaces.
“With this new policy, students know exactly where they can park,” Horn said. “We are having fewer students late because they couldn’t find a parking spot and had to drive to the other parking lot, and by assigning students to specific lots, it is easier for us to monitor.”
But the parking situation has hit a few hitches.
“With the ongoing construction work at SC, some of the contractors have parked their cars in student spaces and have gotten tickets for not having a permit,” he said.
“Also, there is a slim possibility that in the spring, depending on how many sophomores and junior apply for parking permits, we could run out of parking spots.”
Some South Carroll students aren’t as pleased with the parking situation.
“It sucks, but there is nothing we can do about it. It is unfair that you have to pay the same to park in the main lot and the stadium lot,” said Phil Barna, a senior. “You also shouldn’t have to pay the same if you leave early. I also liked last year when there was a specific area for students to park that left early, and they don’t have that this year.”
Nic Dahl is a senior at South Carroll High School in Winfield.
Francis Scott Key lot crowded
While Francis Scott Key High School has gone through a slight decrease in enrollment, the number of students who need parking spaces seems unaffected.
The biggest problem? Survival of the fittest.
At least in the parking lot.
“It’s too crowded. It would be nice to have assigned parking spots, but it’s not going to happen,” said junior Holly Palacorolla. Like Palacorolla, many students have to search for a spot in the morning, since spaces aren’t assigned.
The FSK administration regulates the mandatory parking permit for each student driver. The permits cost $10 per semester, and there are fines for violating policy.
In order to have a permit, students must maintain a C average.
The fees go toward buying the permits themselves, citation forms and other related maintenance.
“It’s a safety issue, so we know who’s parked on campus,” Principal John Seaman said. “It’s not meant for us to be making money.”
He added that the price isn’t that high.
“If you divide the cost, it’s really not that much. There’s virtually nowhere else where you can park for about 25 cents a day.”
Breeze Riley is a sophomore at Francis Scott Key High School in Uniontown.
Century students hit daily traffic jam
Century High School’s student parking lot has caused frustration among students because of the amount of time it takes for students to leave the campus at 2:35 p.m.
There aren’t enough exits from the lot, and at the last bell, many juniors and seniors try to leave through the one available exit at the same time as the buses. The time it takes to leave Century, depending on whether a student’s last class is near the lot or on the opposite side of the school, can range from five minutes to 20 minutes.
Senior Ben Kos attributes the problem to students “just standing around.”
“It usually takes me like 20 minutes to get out of [the lot],” Kos said.
Seniors Rachel Martin and Jess Patterson agree, but they also believe road etiquette has a great deal to do with the congestion.
“People freak out, and they don’t let anyone into the line,” Patterson said.
To accommodate this problem, senior Jared Erekson waits 15 minutes every day for the traffic jam to pass. After that, Erekson said, “I just breeze right through pretty quick.”
Academic Facilitator Thom McHugh said it’s a nonissue.
“It’s no more worse this year than it’s ever been,” he said.
Dani Chung is a senior at Century High School in Eldersburg.
Liberty requires $20 permit fee, divides lots by grade
When getting a license or learner’s permit, we hear from our parents and teachers that “driving is a privilege.” That is true, but when it comes to school and driving, there are different factors we need to take into consideration.
At Liberty High School, a student needs a parking permit to drive to school. This includes a $20 fee.
Liberty has two different lots for students to park in: the senior lot and the junior lot. Some seniors choose to park in the junior lot because of the placement of their first or fourth period. But the majority of students park based on their year.
“The junior lot is really scary, with cars coming at all directions, and [it] needs to be repaved,” said Caitlin Conlon, a senior. “The senior lot is a lot safer.”
Hope Arbesman is a senior at Liberty High School in Eldersburg.
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