The parking lot at Community High School seems to get smaller every year. The

spaces seem to keep shrinking, the number of open spots vanishing.
For Christina Hicks, when it comes to parking lot issues, “it just seems to get worse every year.” She has been the secretary to the Dean at CHS for the past five years, and parking problems have been her biggest headache. “It’s the only part of my job I don’t enjoy…It’s not an easy thing to do,” Hicks said.
Seniors complain about the lack of student spots, the small size of the spaces, and having to pay for parking elsewhere when there are no open student spots. Adding to their frustration, there are often staff spaces open while the rest of the lot is full. “But for some reason, those spots have to stay [open], and I have to go pay for parking,” said CHS senior Michael Savage.

Kevin Davis, Community assistant, also hears the complaints of students and staff. But for the most part, he feels unable to solve any of the problems. “I can’t literally go out there and pick up the car and move it,” Davis said.

In addition to the many visitors and students who park in the 40 available spots, people park in the Community lot illegally. “It happens every day,” Hicks said.

Over the years, there have been many suggestions for change, but “it just seems like whatever way we do [it]… it’s never fair,” said Hicks. Still, seniors like Emily DiGiovanni question why “they give out more parking stickers than there are spots to park in the lot. …It’s really annoying.”
This debate comes down to one unchangeable fact: there are not enough spots. With only 40 open parking spots and over 120 seniors, a dozen or more visitors to CHS, and some people parking illegally each day, parking lot problems have no end in sight.