By: Siena Houk, Staff Writer
Students planning to drive to school next year may be facing some challenges as River Hill High School updates its parking pass policy schoolwide. Under these new mandates, seniors with leave time will receive priority for a parking permit, followed by juniors with leave time, then finally seniors without leave time. Juniors who do not have leave time will no longer be allowed to obtain a parking pass unless there is a compelling reason.
The sudden change has sparked discussion amongst our students, with many upset and concerned about how this may affect transportation to classes, after-school commitments, and daily life at River Hill.
The updated policy was announced as a response to limited parking availability and the growing number of students eligible to drive to school. School administrators believe the change will help ensure that students who need to leave campus during the school day have access to parking.
The announcement has generated mixed reactions among students. Some people believe the policy is a good idea, arguing that students with leave time should have a pass because transportation would be almost impossible without it. It “would make getting to class really hard for me because I attend classes at HCC, River Hill, and another school next year, so I really need a parking pass. I will be a senior, so I am glad these changes are being made. I feel as though I have earned the right to a pass,” says junior Gwen Sokira.
Others, however, feel that the change unfairly limits opportunities for juniors who may need to drive to school next year. Sophomore Ali Calhoun says that “this is unfair. I have waited years to get my licence and be able to drive to school, but now I don’t even get the chance to, just because I don’t have leave time. I just really hope the policy changes.”
Similar to Calhoun, sophomore Sam Fiegel says he doesn’t “have leave time. It does suck that I won’t be able to drive to school, but I understand why the seniors and people with leave time get priority.”
“I think that I have the right to a pass next year. I am an upcoming senior and will own this school. I am top dawg and should get a parking pass,” says junior Wasif Khalid. Although a humorous response, Khalid does have a point. Some seniors believe that due to being at this school for 3 years, they have earned driving privileges. While juniors with leave time do have a good reason to obtain a pass, the remaining seniors are now at a disadvantage.
As students prepare for the upcoming school year, the new parking pass policy is expected to impact many potential drivers, particularly juniors without leave time. While the changes aim to prioritize students who may need to leave campus during the school day, some students question whether this system is equitable. As parking applications for the 2026-2027 school year open and the passes are distributed, keep these changes in mind, and have a great summer.