As of the first semester, there were more than 200 vehicles stickered and 15 cars towed, according to Joseph Lendino, Deputy Head of Security at MHS.
Shockingly, Lendino shared, “Of those 200 vehicles that we stickered, there were over 140 different vehicles.” What this means is that more than 140 different students are parking illegally in the lot.
Within various high schools, parking systems are implemented, whether it is a private spot, hangtag, or sticker, in order to park near the school. This system is used as a way to record numbers, such as the number of students parking, but also to ensure the lots are safe and provide spots to those who pay due to limited parking space.
People parking at the school without a permit is certainly not new news, but rather continuous despite many warnings being issued and stories from people being towed in the lots. Despite this, people continue to park in the school parking lots knowing there are consequences. Within this issue sparks frustration from those who paid for their parking, sometimes involving parents.
Growing concern and frustration led to the following: Is there an issue with the parking system at Mundelein High School?
An email sent out by the Director of Security, Fred Kliora, stated, “Staff have been asked not to excuse students from class to move illegally parked vehicles.” According to Kliora, leaving class to move a personal car is not only a disruption to the class but also creates further issues, such as if the student can’t park here, where will they move it to?
As harsh as it may sound, Kliora added, “Students who choose to park in violation of campus policies should expect appropriate consequences, including possible towings.” Violators are aware of the consequences, yet still choose to risk the chances and park in the school lot.
Many people believe illegally parking at the school once or twice is okay because security initially stickers as a warning, so they can just go ahead and rip the sticker off and push their luck once more. However, Lendino emphasized, “That’s not a given thing. We don’t have to give a warning sticker.”
Although the school has the power and resources to tow, they issue warnings instead because they believe students are capable of self-discipline and doing the right thing. “I don’t like to look at a tow. If you’re not supposed to be doing something, don’t do it,” stated Lendino.
As troublesome as it is for security, it musters irritation from those who do pay for the parking permit. “There’s not enough parking. I paid ~$200 for a first and second semester’s worth of parking, but some people can get away with free parking,” says Malachi Ning, senior student at MHS.
However, he also states an annoyance with the blocking of student parking with cones.
“I feel like we should be able to park anywhere, but when they put traffic cones on areas that students could park in, it’s kind of annoying.”
With many addressing the same issue, Lendino replied to this by saying, “We don’t have enough spots for visitors or for staff, and so we have to reserve some of them.” With many asking ‘why?’ or ‘that takes away spots from students,’ he added, “If a student was running late, there will always be a spot down in the junior lot.”
Parents have addressed concern as well, with Lendino reporting many saying, “Hey, my student wasn’t able to find a parking spot because you have several students in the lot that don’t have parking permits.” With many complaining about no spots available, Lendino mentions that he gets calls from parents about a different issue. “We’ve also had parents who have called up because their kids’ vehicles were towed. They were on the lot without a parking permit.”
Within the email sent out by Kliora is Lendino’s email for further information and questions. With this, parents have reached out to him and even offered recommendations, such as one recommending “getting rid of the baseball field and putting a parking garage there.” Lendino comments, “ That was a pretty interesting suggestion.”
As security attempts throughout the day to ensure students without parking permits aren’t parking illegally, many make attempts to move their cars when alerted by security stickers, just to move them back when security goes back inside.
While the cat-and-mouse chase rages on between violators and security, Lendino sees the situation as a challenge, stating, “We just have challenges. I don’t believe in problems. We have several students who do not have parking permits who park on the premises, and it’s a big challenge for us to try to overcome.”
While many students may be new drivers, eager to drive places before or after school, or a student who missed the chance to get a parking permit, it’s heavily advised to follow the rules and to do the right thing, whether it means getting a ride with a friend, parent, or taking the bus.
Not only does the school not have enough parking spots for every student, but parking for free is unfair towards those who paid for the right to park at the school, and with words from Kliora, “Commitment to consistent enforcement and ensuring fairness for all students who follow the rules.”
