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High school parking squeeze prompts reminders on permit process, lotteries and alternative parking
Summary
District staff told the board the high school is oversubscribed for student parking: about 225 seniors, roughly 210 juniors, and roughly 250 available parking spaces. The district explained senior priority, a junior lottery for remaining spots, and alternative off-site parking options.
District staff outlined a growing parking shortage at Oyster River High School and described the permit process for juniors and seniors at the March 19 school board meeting.
Rebecca Noe (Oyster River High School) summarized parking counts and the permit process: the senior class has about 225 students, the junior class about 210; the high school has roughly 250 parking spaces available for students. Seniors who apply for parking receive priority; any remaining spots are assigned to juniors by lottery. No permit is required for sophomores; staff said some sophomores and non-permitted drivers have parked on campus this year and that has forced staff and paras to use faculty parking, creating a disruption.
Noe said the district runs a senior-first assignment (seniors who apply receive permits), then a junior lottery for leftover spots. The permit application is sent to students in May; families must complete the request on the student’s school account and winners are notified and pick up permits in August by showing driver’s license and proof of insurance. The district has offered church parking about a mile away (about 25 spaces) and public street parking near Coe Drive as alternatives; the district also runs a bus that can transport students from off-site lots. Noe said the permit cost is $100 for a standard permit and somewhat less for a shared permit. She asked parents to note the May application timeline and encouraged families to check the newsletter for precise dates and instructions.
Why it matters
Parking capacity affects daily operations for staff and students and can create safety and access issues when non-permitted vehicles occupy staff spaces. The district is reminding families of the permit process to reduce disruptions and preserve staff parking.
Clarifying details
- Student counts reported: approximately 225 seniors and about 210 juniors (district staff noted these are approximate counts). - Parking: roughly 250 student parking spaces; about 25 additional off-site church spaces available by arrangement. - Permit fee: $100 for a regular permit; shared-permit pricing is lower (exact shared-permit amount not specified in the meeting). - Application timeline: application opens in May; permits are issued in August when students provide license and insurance documentation.
Next steps
District staff said it will continue to communicate permit deadlines and procedures via the high school newsletter and to explore alternatives (off-site parking/bus service) to reduce on-campus congestion and preserve faculty parking spaces.
