The ability to drive is a big part of one’s life: students get their license and have the freedom to drive themselves to school. This year, parking has been an issue for many staff members and students. The available parking for both students and faculty has decreased this year, allowing students only 200 spots due to construction. Staff parking has been limited due to construction at Niles Central, and some staff are sharing the front lot by door 24 with students.
Students were informed parking information would be released Aug. 1 and seniors would get priority. With the senior superiority rule, seniors are first in line to pick their spots before juniors or sophomores. However, many students, including senior Ashley Dankha, were unable to reserve a spot. Due to the limited 200 spots available, many felt this rule was not followed.
“I submitted my form a day late but was told I could come in and purchase one later that week… I’m upset and angry with the school because I didn’t know there were limited spots and they didn’t follow their senior superiority rule,” Dankha said.
Senior Eleri Swanson believes the senior superiority rule wasn’t followed either.
“I also got a spot pretty far away. For those who travel or have things going on in the summer it’s hard to complete the parking stuff. I’m a senior and I don’t feel I was considered first for the parking lot situation,” Swanson said.
Staff members, including guidance counselor Ben Grais, have expressed their frustration with the restricted amount of spots.
“I usually get to school early and I’m able to park in the lot by the Oakton Lobby, but if I decide to leave during the day I’ll have to park in the shared lot. I can see the frustration some might have with sharing this lot because it does take away from the students having more spots. It can be frustrating, but I think the school needs to do more with consequences when students take others spots or take staff spots,” Grais said.
Others were able to receive a spot but were only able to get space near the football field. Senior Penelope Hutchinson feels that the senior superiority rule was not followed and believes the system that delegates parking to students should be revised to accommodate all students who drive to school.
“I feel like having to come in to choose a spot isn’t fair. It should all be online so it really is a first-come, first-served basis. Even though I came 15 minutes early to choose my spot, I still have one of the farthest ones, which I don’t think is very fair,” Hutchinson said.
In the front lot there are markings that separate the staff parking from the students. Principal Steve Parnther explained there will be consequences if students are found taking spots that aren’t theirs.
“Right now, there aren’t any student parking spaces available on Niles West property. A waitlist has been created, and students on the list will be notified if a space opens up. Any car parked in a staff lot without proper authorization gets a warning first, and repeated violations may result in a ticket from the Skokie Police Department,” Parnther said.
