By Adriana Elias, Courier Staff Writer
Courier Staff Photo
Some student drivers were surprised when they returned to James Logan High School on August 24 and learned that all spots painted yellow were no longer for them. Another shock also came to them when they realized that they needed a student parking permit in order to park at school.
Students like Norma Orozco, a junior, were angered by the new rules. Asked if her parents would be willing to pay ten dollars for the permit, she said “Possibly, but money is tight right now and my parents don’t see the point in paying because my older siblings went to Logan in 2012 and they got their parking permits for free.”
“It is preposterous,” she said about the changes.
Sophomore Chase daRosa said echoed Orozco: “I don’t see the point in buying a parking permit because people have been parking here for free.
“It is just a way for the school to make money,” daRosa said, “It’s not like there is a parking overflow, or people who don’t go to the school parking here.”
Logan Principal Abhi Brar offered some answers for students who are still wondering why parking situations are so different this year.
“We are working on getting an accurate count of exactly how many parking spots we need for staff.” Brar also said “We are planning to convert some staff parking spots back to student spots once we have an accurate count of how many staff spots we really need.”
Brar listed some benefits of having the $10 parking permit. “The permits shows staff who is coming onto campus” he said, ” And when students get the permit they give the office the plate number and a description of the car so in case anything happens to the car during the school day we are able to call the student in and let them know before the day ends.”
Brar also addressed students experiencing financial hardships. “The way that all schools in California verify if students do have financial hardships is if they qualify for free or reduced lunch. We are willing to work with kids who may not be able to pay the full price of the parking permit. If a child can’t pay that doesn’t mean they can’t get a parking permit.”
