Changes were made to the school parking traffic pattern over the summer.

The change was made in hopes of trying to open up more lanes for people to get out of the parking lot quicker and to also prevent the heavy traffic and congestion during arrival and dismissal.

Officer William Hanson sees the change as a means to ensure safety. 

Hanson said, ¨It was determined the traffic flow in the morning and afternoon were becoming congested, backing up buses and cars.  So it was determined to reroute traffic to allow the traffic to flow smooth. A sign was placed with times and an arrow. Instructing drivers  on the route they should use. This helps with the traffic flow and assists with safety also.”

 Officer Dio Mendez  was also part of the planning team.

¨Well we had to contact an architect to design our new parking lot layout. Then we had to put the job on bid, so we can find a contractor to do the job. The contractor then had to get permits from the township. So it took at least 4 months to get the job done. I have to say that it took awhile but it was so worth it,” said Mendez.

Both students and faculty are faced with traffic pattern challenges on a daily basis with the new parking lot system.

The amount of time it takes to get through traffic and get to a parking spot in the morning has caused some students to be late for school with the new pattern.  

Additionally, the amount of time it takes to get out of the parking lot during dismissal is frustrating  to students and faculty since the new system has been in place.

Opinions differ on how to fix the problem, but solutions discussed by students so far include increasing the number of parking spaces by adding another parking lot, creating an alternate traffic flow pattern, utilizing an employee to direct traffic during peak hours and staggering dismissal times.

Students and faculty have different views on the traffic route, and some are happy about it, while some are not.

According to sophomore Zach Druck, he feels that the traffic route still has room for improvement.

“I would like a more organized parking lot situation” said Druck.

Sophomore Jake Mayo feels like there is too much congestion in the parking lot.

“I don’t really like the traffic route. It’s just a bunch of cars all over the place,” said Mayo.

Study skills teacher Kirstin Blass feels like the parking area is organized.

“I like it because everyone is going in one direction, but it takes awhile to go through,” said Blass.  

In addition to the traffic route problem, many offered opinions on the parking lot situation.  Students and faculty have different opinions on how to make improvements in the parking lot, but most agree something needs to be done.

Mayo feels like the parking lot should be a bigger area.

“There should be an extended parking lot,” said Mayo.

Blass indicated that a closer parking lot for staff would be helpful.