On Friday, following two weeks of data collection, Principal Clyne has released twenty additional parking passes to the Junior class. Campus Supervisor Trombino collected the data at 10:00 and at 2:00, every day from September 15th through the 26th and shared the totals with the Lakeside Administrative Team. After thoughtful consideration of the average number of available spaces each day, Principal Clyne authorized the additional spaces to be made available to the first twenty Juniors on the waiting list.
Some concerns about the waiting list have been swirling through the rumor-mill and, based on our investigation, most of them are unfounded. The initial waiting list was created through a random drawing of the Juniors who applied for parking by the original deadline with all valid and verifiable documents required for parking accompanying the application. Mr. Trombino and Mr. Kevin Rogers (Assistant Principal) drew the names and two PTSA representatives oversaw the proceedings. This list, which at one time had over 70 names, has been a closely kept secret since its creation and, according to Principal Clyne, will continue to remain confidential.
While we wish there were more parking, we are grateful for such thoughtful consideration for the equitable distribution of this prized campus resource.
“I wish everyone could park,” said Principal Clyne, “it would make things much easier on all of us. Unfortunately, with only 176 spaces for student parking, the only fair thing to do is make parking a Senior privilege. Seniors have earned the right to take the first crack at buying a parking pass.”
So, what do you do with all of the Juniors who, for one reason or another, feel they are entitled to a parking pass – sometimes even more so than a Senior?
“I am not going to be the one who places a qualitative value on another student’s need”, said Principal Clyne. “That is, I won’t say, because one student is in the Marching Band, he or she has more of a need to park than, say, a student who simply comes to school, goes to class, and goes home after school is over. I won’t say that a student in NHS is more entitled to a parking pass than a student who is not. I won’t say that a kid who is from a single-parent home is more entitled to a parking pass than one who is not. I am not the one to make those kinds of value judgments – talk about ‘unfair’!”
We share Principal Clyne’s opinion that, while it may not seem fair to the non-Seniors among us, parking should be reserved as a privilege for the Senior class. The fact that Juniors are now being allowed to purchase parking passes is, in our opinion, a noble gesture by the administration and our hope is that this gesture is seen and respected as such.
Principal Clyne went on to state that, while he completely understands the temptation of the students who do not have valid parking passes to risk the dreaded “Orange Sticker of Doom”, when each of these stickers is issued, the vehicle’s license number is recorded and, beginning this week, repeat offenders, having been provided sufficient warning, will be subject to having their cars towed.
Additionally, Principal Clyne advised ALL student drivers to be reminded that, when operating a vehicle off campus, the driver is responsible for following all laws and ordinances regarding parking, speeds, etc. Failure to do so may, too, result in severe consequences (ticketing or towing).
We fully support the parking enforcement and, as we are all members of this community, we endorse the role of the DeKalb County Police in keeping our streets safe and open. Kudos to Principal Clyne for taking such a thoughtful and respectful stand regarding this matter and to Mr. Trombino for making sure that those of us who paid for parking will have a place available in which we can park!
~Viking Vince – 2015