I arrive at school when it first opens at 7:30 every morning. In the morning, I use the Academy period to work on my independent work study or do some homework. Towards the end of this Academy period, at 8:50, I have noticed that the student parking lot is almost always full.

Any kids that arrive later towards the end of the Academy period must find elsewhere to park. Kids who arrive later in the school day for any reason also have trouble getting a spot. In a recent student survey, a student wrote “[M]y friend has to wait in the Rite Aid parking lot after getting back from [Bath]Voc so that she can get a parking spot after the seniors leave.”

Students attending BRHS should not have to battle for a spot. Every kid should be able to freely leave or arrive late and still be able to access a spot. Kids have begun to park in the teachers’ parking lot or even on the side of the curb as alternatives.

There were 75 students who answered the student survey; 49.3% of kids drive to school, and 28% of the surveyed students have to park somewhere other than the designated parking lot some of the time. This means over half of the students that drive to school have to park somewhere else. Finding other parking areas has become an issue for students.

Towards the beginning of the year, students would get in trouble for parking on the curb outlining the football field. This rule was no longer enforced towards the end of the year because there was no other space for the kids elsewhere.

Parking on the curb is a serious hazard. If a fire truck had to come to the school for any reason, it would create a safety issue for the kids and the firemen.

It is important that this issue is pointed out, because many people have not seen it firsthand. Although World History teacher Nick Scott is not aware of the parking issue, he says “I have seniors in my class explaining that they were late to class because they were having trouble finding a parking spot.” Many teachers are the same way. It is easy to look past the issue and not think about the lack of space unless you are being affected so it is important that the issue is exposed and talked about formally.

Even though this may be costly for the school and/or town, it is important that every student is able to find a parking spot with ease. No student should have to be worried about arriving at school and finding a parking spot.

The only issue with our parking lot is that it would be difficult to expand. One of the best spaces would be behind the tennis courts. There is plenty of room along the road that could be easily cleared and paved. It may be a couple minute walk from the front door of the school, but it is the closest area that is free and not taken up.

The fact is that this project is very doable for the school and town to push through.