No more having to leave 30 minutes early in the morning to get a parking spot at school. The new parking lot is here to save the day.
At first, it looked like the much needed extra parking lot might not happen. In 2023 the idea was brought to the attention of the NCSD school board and then later rejected because the time was not right. According to an article from Old City News by Calla Shosh, Kevin Christopherson, one of trustees who was part of the final say in the parking lot deemed the timing inconvenient.
“We’re going to take care of that problem. The timing is just not right to take care of it now,” said Christopherson after the decision to postpone had been made.
But then, in May of 2024 the Kelly Walsh administration announced Kelly Walsh High School would be getting that new parking lot. This was executed in summer 2024, then finished just in time for the school year. According to an Oil City News article by Brendan LaChance it was about $1 million for 164 additional parking spots.
Before the new parking lot, parking was a huge problem and it was causing students to be tardy frequently.
“I was late a lot last year because I was always parking in the streets and now I can come at any time of the day and park anywhere in the front and it is a great stress reliever,” senior, Sophia Diaz said.
The new lot has changed the amount of complaints the students have made about the school’s parking and also cut down on the amount of tardies blamed on the inadequate amount of space provided for students who drive to school.
Not only do students see a change but so do teachers.
“My attitude when I come back from lunch has improved immensely,” Business teacher Christi Bekke said.
Coming back to school after lunch and not having to rush is a welcome relief for many.
Another problem that has seen improvement is that students are not using handicapped spots that were needed for handicapped students and visitors to KW.
Illegal parking has also become less frequent. Senior Jordan Kroeger is one of the many students who received a ticket last year for this exact reason.
“The parking lot was always packed and I couldn’t be late to class again,” senior Jordan Kroeger said.
Not only was being tardy a huge issue, but students have a lot to say about the long walks into the school. When winter hit, having to walk from the back lot and neighborhood streets by the school was terrible in the snow.
“There wasn’t enough room to park especially when track season came. When it got cold even parking in the back lot kind of sucked.” junior Jay Pexton said.
The new parking lot has changed a lot for the better at Kelly Walsh High School, more parking for social and sporting events and classes during the day.
