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On May 27th, the class of 2011 will leave Wayland High School, subsequently emptying out the senior parking lot. The absence of current seniors, along with other empty parking spots around campus, will open up a potential “free-for-all” parking situation. The administration has put a plan in place to organize the parking for the rest of this year, as well as next year.

“Starting June 6th, juniors will be allowed to purchase parking spots for $220,” said Parseghian, who has been in charge of on-campus parking since construction began in September. “Seniors will need to carpool next year just like this year, so at least two people will have to share each spot.”

Before construction started, every senior and most juniors were able to buy their own spots in the large parking lots in front of the school.  With those lots gone, Wayland High School has had a hard time finding adequate parking for all students.

There are a few small changes planned for  next year’s parking scheme.

The small turnaround area now designated for picking up and dropping off students will be removed and instead all traffic flow will go through Lot A, the current senior parking area. The reorganization of Lot A will create 40 new spots.

Illegal parking problems

“Parking lot C has been the largest area of concern because unregistered seniors and many juniors have been parking there,” said Parseghian.  “That lot is designated for the overflow of teachers who can’t fit in the teacher lot, and for the overflow of construction workings who can’t fit at the basketball courts.”

Lot C entered the spotlight recently when a tow truck was called to remove an illegally parked car, sending 10-20 students running to their cars to move them before the truck returned.  Although reserved for other drivers, Lot C notoriously has open spaces during school hours.

“I somewhat understand why things are like they are, but I think that every possible space should be occupied by a student,” said junior Jason Stoddart.

Lot C and the basketball court in front of the school have been the most popular places this year for underclassmen and unregistered seniors to park illegally.  For many, parking at school is a necessity even with the risk of being towed.

“I have work I have to get to every day after school, and I’m often late,” said junior McKenzie Salitsky.  “I had to make arrangements with family friends who live about one-third of a mile from the high school to park in their driveway and walk the rest of the way.  However, I’m lucky compared to the other kids without parking or the ones who park in the back who have to worry all day about getting towed.”

In order to stay consistent, the administration is not allowing any exceptions.

“If people repeatedly park on campus when they aren’t supposed to, they will be towed, and they won’t get a spot next year,” said Parseghian.