Picture this: students arriving at school to secure their parking spot, only to be faced with outrageous fees, forcing some to park in an alternate lot with dimly lit areas. Why should the cost of parking compromise their safety and peace of mind? Juniors and Seniors are getting their driver’s licenses and are starting to drive to school, so they need a place to park. Some students and families can not afford these high fees. You can park in an alternate lot without fees, but you must cross the street before and after school. We should look into a cheaper price for student parking.
Some students can’t afford the complete pass because they don’t have a job or their parents can’t afford it. In doing research, both Naperville Central and Herscher High School pay 50 dollars a year to be able to drive to school, whereas we pay 160 a year. The high cost of our parking pass creates a financial burden for many students and their families. Without a job, students can’t contribute to the price, and not all parents can afford the extra expense when other schools like Naperville Central and Herscher High School charge only $50 a year. It highlights how disproportionate the $160 fee is. In the 2021-22 school year, the parking pass was $146, showing the price is increasing. This makes it harder for students to drive to school and raises concerns about equality and whether all students have the same opportunities.
One of the biggest concerns is the financial strain on families with multiple students needing parking passes. For example, if a family has two students who both need a parking pass, they would have to pay $320 a year, a significant expense compared to the $100 they would pay at schools like Naperville Central and Herscher High. This high cost can force students to park in less safe, off-campus lot, which raises concern by potentially putting these students at risk.
Students’ only other option is to park at Sea Lion, which can be very dangerous when crossing at the crosswalk. Students must navigate a high volume of traffic when crossing the crosswalk. This area is particularly busy during peak school hours, which increases the risk of accidents. Additionally, the crosswalk may not be adequately supervised or marked, making it harder for drivers to see students crossing. This situation creates a hazardous environment for students who have to park there due to the high cost of parking passes. From personal experience, some drivers speed through the area and don’t thoroughly look when crossing the intersection. This reckless behavior increases the likelihood of accidents, putting students at risk as they cross. The danger is compounded by the fact that many students are already distracted or rushing to get to class on time, making it even more critical for drivers to be vigilant. This situation underscores the need for safer, more affordable parking options on school property.
Looking into the future, we should consider lowering the cost of the parking pass because the current cost of parking passes at our school creates significant financial barriers for many students, especially those without jobs or whose parents can’t afford the expense. This forces students to park in alternate lots like Sea Lion, where they face dangerous conditions crossing busy intersections with speeding and inattentive drivers. To ensure the safety and accessibility of parking for all students, it’s crucial that we address these issues by considering more affordable student parking options and improving safety measures at non-school property lots.