Increased enrollment leads to new parking policies

Drew Boone, Staff Writer • September 3, 2019

With increased enrollment, 380 students were allowed to pay $85 for a parking permit. There are currently no more spots being sold. “Based on however many junior and senior parking permits we give out at the beginning of the year, will usually determine how many more spots we have to sell for the rest of the year,” Sophomore class Principal Kate Piffel said.

It’s a right of passage many seniors, juniors and a handful of sophomores enjoy, purchasing an $85 space to ensure they can drive to school. However, due to increased enrollment, the plan has been revised.

“All parking passes that we had available at the beginning of the year are now sold, so there are no more available for purchase,” junior Principal Beth Aromando said. “Our parking lot has 380 student parking spaces, and we sold 380 parking passes.”

Sophomore class Principal Kate Piffel indicated there were multiple parking issues during the 2018-2019 school year.

“No one could ever find a spot,” Piffel said. “We had ordered too many passes but didn’t have enough spots, so there wouldn’t be enough room if every junior and senior drove, and with even bigger classes this year, we didn’t want to make the same mistake.”

Sophomore Michael Lolley came into the year expecting to be allowed to park on campus.

“Last year, I went to school with my sister so parking wasn’t an issue,” Lolley said. “This year, I was planning on driving myself to school, but now that I can’t. My parents have had to change their work schedule to get me to school on time.”

There are some unique ways of getting a spot. Sophomore Claire LeDuc won a raffle for a spot last year and now is the only sophomore allowed to park on campus.

“It’s really cool knowing I’m the only sophomore that can park, but I do feel like I’m going to be driving everyone around,” LeDuc said. “It might be a little much sometimes, but it definitely will be a great experience.”

Although sophomore classes have been accustomed to having an opportunity to park, it is not something that has to be provided for them.

“It’s a privilege, honestly,” Piffel said. “We have looked at different solutions including assigned spaces or even daily parking, but it’s something we have not initiated. We’re definitely looking at that for the future.”

About the Contributors

Drew Boone, Staff Writer

Pronouns: He/Him I am a senior and this will be my fourth year on staff. I look forward to newspaper everyday because it allows me to work at my own pace while developing my journalism skills. While I can sometimes lack focus, the results of my work always end up meeting my standards. I spend most of my time outside of school going out with friends and discovering new things. The first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning is why did I set my alarm this early?

Brinda Ambal, Conceptual Editor-in-Chief

Pronouns: she/her I am a senior, and this is my fourth year on staff. The Pathfinder has helped me push myself independently, build a supportive community and grow through my mistakes. Though I write a lot of opinions, I do seek to understand the other side— my newfound knowledge always either strengthens my own position or changes my mind. I love fairy princess tea parties with my friends and 12-hour study marathons. In the rest of my time, I am Student Body co-Vice President, a part of the Scholar Bowl team and often found on or around Creve Coeur Lake with St. Louis Rowing Club. I most enjoy the small moments; a friend’s laugh, the brush of my fingers against a piece of paper and the first glimpse of daffodil yellow after a really long winter (gotta love Missouri weather).