Due to the construction at Manhattan High right now, parking spots are limited. Students are fed up with the situation and many have had difficulties as a result.

Senior Bonnie Hegarty says she has parked in the back lot majority of the time this year, and it’s been a hassle almost every time.

“When you park in the back lot it takes like 45 minutes to get out of the parking lot,” Hegarty said. “Unless you run really fast to your car you’re going to have to wait for a long time to get out.”

Many parking spots are unavailable due to the main lot on the east side of the school being shut down due to the construction. Hegarty expresses frustration for the students who never find a parking spot near the school but still have to pay.

Principal Michael Dorst says he understands the students’ frustration, but there is no way to back out of construction or change it. He did admit that he was willing to work with students to better improve the parking situation.

“It is tough, and especially if you’re a late arrival,” Dorst said. “It is tough and I feel for our students who are trying to balance coming to school, trying to do with what they need to do for the teachers, for their parents, for their work and balancing a very tough schedule for a coach and four directors. A student’s life is really tough and there is a lot of people that they’re interacting with, so parking can be a very [stressful] thing that can cause frustration and sometimes cause people to be late or miss things so we’re aware of that.”

Although construction was going on during the school’s first semester, it didn’t seem to be as big of a problem. Students believe that was because only half of the school was present at the time.

“We also have everybody going to school at the same time,” senior Jazmin Gantt said. “There’s not enough spots for people.”

Hegarty also believes the parking might not only be the problem but also everyone’s driving capability. 

“I want to add another parking lot. We need more spots, more doors and entrances we shouldn’t have to walk like six miles to get to school,” Hegarty said. “People also don’t know how to drive in our parking lot. Everyone goes the wrong direction and we all get stuck in traffic jams.”

Dorst stated he’s willing to talk with the construction department at the school and work out a 

plan to put arrows down along the parking isles to guide students.