When seeking a parking spot at school, it seems as though the rules of the road are more like suggestions for some OH students. Parking at school can be tough, but when students park in prohibited areas, it can be downright hectic. This can be a problem for students concerned about making it to class on time or who do not want to walk in cold weather.
OH Deans Assistant Bob Faagust said, “The first day after winter break when we started the semester, I wrote 17 sticker warnings because it was rather cold that day, and kids don’t want to walk from the gravel lot, so they were parking in the staff and visitor lots.”
Parking closer in what appear to be open, closer spots, like staff or visitor spots, is prohibited. But that has not stopped students from doing so. And it creates issues during the academic day for administrative visitors, guests, parents, and others who visit OH.
“That creates a problem,” Faagust explained, “because then there’s not enough spots for the staff to park and definitely not for visitors. We have visitors for different reasons, including substitute teachers, parents, coming from meetings, and other school administrators coming.”
After winter break, when students were back in session on Jan. 6, many students decided to make unauthorized parks within OH’s three parking lots. This caused OH administration to send an email to parents and students (see left), reaching out with reminders about parking. Although this peeked attention after break, DAs have said cars being parked in prohibited areas is a daily occurrence- and students see it, too.
“I’d say many people have parked in the wrong spot,” OH junior Brooke McGee said. “It’s understandable because the walk is far. The gravel lot is too far, too cold, or it’s too hot. Especially as cold right now, it’s definitely the worst place to park right now.”
Students and staff feel that the issue is the distance, let alone the weather. Faaugst says, “We write anywhere from 2 to 20[violation tickets] a day, so it varies. It depends on where they park… We have noticed an uptick on days… when it’s really cold. Students will tend to park in the staff lot, still park in other students’ spots. And that’s when we’re really busy have to go out and issue more warnings.”
OH junior Blake Crowley said, “I do think it is too far to walk [from the gravel lot] in the cold on winter mornings, which is terrible. You freeze before you get close to the school. And when it snows, it’s wet and slick, and gross, which ruins shoes and could get someone hurt.”
Helpfully, the school, with the help of BIONIC, had a sidewalk installed on Nunamaker Way from the gravel lot to help with foot traffic from the lot to the school. After years of advocacy, the sidewalk is one step forward for gravel lot walkers.
According to DAs, students in violation of the parking expectations typically have parked in either the visitor parking, staff, or open student parking. Not in violation are students who have parked in marked spots for students who have paid for their spot and follow the Oswego High School Parking Expectations (seen above).
“Each permit has a signed number, and that’s your assigned parking space,” said Faagust. “If you don’t buy a permit, then you have to park in the gravel lot, which is way at the south end of the property, and then walk in. Anybody who parks in a spot other than their assigned spot is issued a warning with a sticker, and multiple violations can result in your vehicle being towed.”
Bob continues, “If you want a parking spot, they’re available at the Dean’s office, I believe there’s a waiting list, and they go for 200 bucks. So they’re pretty expensive, which is why other students get upset when someone’s park their spot.”
OH has a clear policy: students may buy a $200 parking space; if not, they can park in the OH gravel lot. If they park illegally, they will first receive a warning with an orange sticker on their car.
If the illegal parking continues, the student’s car will then be towed, with a $250 fee. Some students feel these costs can be an issue. Not all students appear to be aware of this consequence, however.
Crowley said, “I’m aware there is one, but I don’t know exactly what it says other than you can’t park in a staff spot or paid parking spot if you didn’t pay.”
Faaugst expressed, “Policies are available in the Dean’s office to anybody. If anybody wants to copy the policy, it is available in the Dean’s office, and Mrs. Cashwell is the dean and in charge of parking enforcement.”
Hi, my name is Peyton. I'm a junior in highschool and it's my first year on staff. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication.
