BY ALEXANDRA SANSONE
Parking on campus has long been a rite of passage for many CCHS upperclassmen. Every year, parking decal sales are a small topic of conversation for the few weeks they are sold. This year, however, the parking availability at CCHS has rapidly become the most popular issue that is discussed among students.
Over the summer, the first decal sale was opened to seniors with a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average (GPA), with multiple sales following with the requirement of at least a 2.0 GPA for eligibility. Eleventh Grade Assistant Principal Robert Herzog shared that over 200 of the 250 student parking spaces were sold to seniors, with the remainder being sold to juniors with a minimum of a 3.9 GPA.
“It has always been [that] we try to accommodate all the seniors prior to [selling to juniors],” Herzog said. “In years past, I always had 60 to 70 additional spots. I’ve never really had to turn away anyone except a few juniors.”
Herzog revealed that due to a non-disclosed security rationale, the grass lot attached to the parking lot on Stirling Road has been closed. This has resulted in the loss of approximately 60 to 70 spaces, moving seniors to spots that would normally remain left over for the purchase of juniors.
“I’ve never really had to turn away anyone except a few juniors.”
Multiple juniors vying for a parking decal have been frustrated to hear of the significant decrease in junior parking availability this year. Junior Amelia Wesley, who parks at a friend’s uncle’s house before walking the remaining distance to and from campus, is especially irritated with the eligibility standards set in place. Wesley has a 3.87 GPA and barely misses the cutoff.
“I wouldn’t say I’m frustrated, I would say that I’m infuriated,” Wesley said. “I just think it is unfair that the priority was given to the people with this GPA because I don’t think they are any more deserving than anyone else.”
Though a great percentage of the Class of 2020 is disappointed with the way things have played out for parking, the administration has spoken of their efforts to accommodate all students in the best way that they can.
Herzog spoke on his attempts to minimize prioritization, explaining why dual enrollment is not a priority for parking eligibility. He stated that prioritizing parking for dual enrollment students makes it seem that it is an easier way to receive a decal- a perception he aims to avoid.
“I just think it is unfair that the priority was given to the people with this GPA because I don’t think they are any more deserving than anyone else.”
“For us to say that one thing is more [important] doesn’t really jive with our mission to build a whole student,” Herzog said.
Students, however, have voiced concerns over safety for those who do not have access to a parking spot.
“Having kids walk out into the street leaving school is just more of a security concern,” Class of 2020 Vice President Simone Goldberg said.
Students who have concerns about parking or other issues pertaining to the school are encouraged to approach administration to avoid the spread of misinformation.
“My own reflection of this process will lead to greater communication on my behalf to you guys,” Herzog said. “Just talk to us, we’re not that scary- I don’t think.”
Since the publishing of this article, parking has been opened to juniors with an unweighted GPA of 3.8 or higher.
As per an announcement made on social media September 5, 2018, parking has been made available to juniors with an unweighted GPA of 3.7 or higher.
As per an announcement made by administration on September 7, 2018, parking has been made available to juniors with an unweighted GPA of 3.6 or higher.
Photo by Alexa Jaspan
