The 2025–2026 school year has started with major adjustments as the high school undergoes major construction on classrooms, the main gym, and restrooms. While these improvements will benefit the campus long term, they have already brought noticeable changes, especially to parking.
Parking lots in the front of the school are limited due to leaving room for construction supplies and vehicles. Administration decided the best choice to fix the temporary parking would be to push back the students’ parking spots to make more parking available for staff and parents. In addition, bus pickup and drop off is now on S. 11th Street.
Seniors Sam Carter (12) and Jaci Bretz (12) shared mixed feelings. “At first we were upset because we wouldn’t get our usual senior parking spots, but we talked to Mr. Waltman and he explained to us that because of the construction, the entrance was going to be changed so it would be closer to our spots and we get our own fresh spots to paint.”
Although the entrance change adds a longer walk, Carter and Bretz agreed it hasn’t majorly disrupted their routines. “It hasn’t made a huge difference other than the fact we have to start walking into school a bit earlier,” Carter said.
Traffic, however, remains tricky. “The only thing different is the parent pickup situation, which makes it a little harder to get out,” Bretz added.
Parents pick up their children in the loop where the bus drop-offs once was. Parents come in through the parking spots and drop students off by the gate, which can lead to more traffic because of many cars in that area. Both students also felt senior privileges had shifted, with underclassmen parking closer to the entrance.
Vice Principal Mrs. Punt explained the changes were necessary. “It’s made parking limited, but it’s working. Teachers also had to move to the other side of campus into portables, so we needed staff parking closer and had to push student parking back. Plus, construction equipment and supplies take up space.”
Administration added that signage and security have helped improve traffic on 11th Street and Paige. Punt said her message to students is, “We’re doing the best we can with what we have to make sure our campus gets updated and safe for everyone.”
For now, students and staff are adapting while looking ahead to a stronger campus once construction is complete.
