When the parking pass pickup day came along this summer, many students were enraged with the results. What was supposed to be a senior privilege, turned into a nightmare for many. Numerous students were appalled when they were given a junior lot spot because they didn’t complete Eportfolio or were not up to date with the money they owed the school.

Students have come to believe that everything about the parking system at NK is ‘corrupt’ and that they have been ‘cheated of their privileges.’ The problems begin with the seniors who believe that they were given a junior lot spot for an unfair reason. Making the walk from the lower lot in the rain, snow, and heat is a painful for all.

Senior Kaitlin Beati was given a junior lot spot because the Ipad made an error and claimed that she missed a detention when this was not the case. An upset Beati said, “The way parking is chosen is unfair because a straight-A student could have perfect grades but have missed one detention and not been given a parking spot when a C-range student could have been given five detentions, but made them up so they received a spot over the A student.”  “spots should be based on grades, attendance, spots, and consideration of jobs as well.”

Senior Ryan Hanrahan fell victim to a junior lot spot when he was unrightfully accused. “The office told me that I hadn’t completed Eportfolio even though I did,” said Hanrahan.

There are many students who believe that there should be a different way of choosing who gets what spots. There are several contributing factors to parking and copious students have disagreed with these methods. Part of the way spots will be chosen is going to change in the near future. Assistant Principal for Management and Operations Mrs. Lynn Sironen said, “E portfolio is being replaced by Common Course Assessments and students will be expected to be on target for those in the future, as far as the number of assignments completed.”

One other concern that the student body has about parking is where the money goes when 20 dollars is paid for a sticker. However, the truth is the money is mostly coming right back to the students. Sironen said, “The money from parking goes to the class (junior or senior) and to off-set the cost of the stickers.”

Parking is one of those things that will never be agreed upon by the students and faculty at NK, but steps are being taken every day to try to please both ends of the spectrum.