Between the Lines
Kalani Soeda, Staff Writer
October 23, 2009
Filed under News, Top Stories
Parking at Le Jardin Academy has become a bit of a controversial issue recently. At the moment the students are required to share an inadequately sized parking lot with the teachers directly in front of the new high school building. Upon talking to the students many feel that it is unfair and irrational to not allow us to utilize other available stalls near the portables.
As the stalls aren’t permanently paved, the spray-painted rocks shift as cars driver over them making it difficult for the drivers to tell where the perimeters of the stalls are. Another issue is the fact that they are not being long enough with a wide enough drive way through them. The stalls are only 18 feet long while the standard for diagonal parking spaces is 22 feet.
“The parking lot is too small,” said Isy Picciotto, “If we pay for parking we should be allowed to park by all of our classes.” Many students feel similarly and believe that it would be easier and more efficient for students and ease congestion of traffic. “There are some advantages to allowing students to park over by the portables. For instance if students have their last period class over in the portables they can leave campus after without driving through campus,” said Mr. Weisberger. “But it is convenient that the students can park right in front of the current high school building.”
The major reason for the current parking rules is because it’s easier to maintain. “With all the students in front of the building it is harder for students to ditch or sneak off campus,” said Mr. Funasaki. “If students were allowed to park wherever they wanted on campus it would be too easy for them to sneak away when they are supposed to be in class.” By keeping the students in front of the high school building it is easy for teachers as well as staff to see when people come and go and allows them to keep tabs on those leaving more frequently than normal.
There are many advantages and disadvantages to the current parking situation that can be debated. If you’d like to bring up this issue (or any other issues), go to the ”Student Lunch with the Headmaster” on Wednesday October 28th during lunch in room P2. Sign up with your student council president, John Michael Kim Han, or with Mr. Weisberger and get your voice heard!