Every morning at Freedom High School the parking lot becomes crowded before the first bell even rings. Cars line up near the entrance as students, staff and parents all try to enter at the same time. What should be a simple drive into school often turns into a stressful and time-consuming process.
One of the biggest problems is that there is only one main entrance used by nearly everyone arriving on campus. Because of this, traffic builds up quickly and creates long wait times in the morning.
Adding more entrances for both students and staff could help traffic move much faster. Instead of hundreds of cars trying to enter through the same area, drivers could spread out across multiple entrances. This would reduce congestion and make mornings more organized for everyone.
Separate entrances for students and staff could also improve safety. Teachers arriving for work would not be stuck in the same traffic as student drivers and parents dropping students off. Traffic would flow more smoothly and there would be less confusion in the parking lot.
Another issue is the lack of parking spaces available for students. Many students purchase parking passes but still struggle to find spots on campus once they arrive at school.
Because there are not enough spaces, some students are forced to park off campus and walk long distances to get to class. This can be frustrating especially during bad weather or when students are already rushing to make it to school on time.
The issue becomes even more difficult for students involved in sports, band and other extracurricular activities. Many students carry sports equipment, instruments or large bags throughout the day. Walking long distances with heavy equipment before and after school can be exhausting.
The overcrowded lot can also create safety concerns. Cars often move slowly through packed areas while students walk between vehicles trying to get into the building. During busy mornings and afternoons the parking lot can become difficult to navigate.
Freedom High School has continued to grow over the years but the parking lot has not kept up with the increasing number of drivers. Expanding the lot and adding additional entrances would improve traffic flow and create a better experience for students, staff and parents.
A larger parking lot would also give more students the opportunity to park on school campus instead of searching for spots elsewhere. Students who pay for parking should be able to reliably find spaces near the school.
