MANNFORD — Days after announcing a change to its student parking policy Mannford High School has revised plans and will once again allow seniors to choose and paint their parking spaces.
At the end of July, district leadership shared on social media that student parking would move to a general first-come, first-served basis rather than assigned individual spaces as it has been done for several years before. The change would have effectively halted the long-standing tradition of seniors selecting and painting their own parking spots.
On Aug. 3 a new announcement was made outlining an updated parking process that restores the senior parking tradition while establishing a structured registration schedule for all students.
Under the revised policy, students are able to select parking spaces based on their class registration dates after completing the required paperwork. To register, students must obtain a vehicle registration form from the high school office, have it signed by both the student and a parent or guardian, and submit the completed form in person along with the student's driver's license. Once the paperwork has been verified, students may choose an available parking space.
Seniors will have the first opportunity to register, pay their parking fee and select a space during office hours on Aug. 5 and Aug. 7. Juniors may register on Aug. 10 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by all remaining students from noon to 2 p.m. that same day.
The updated policy also restores the opportunity for seniors to personalize their parking spaces. Seniors wishing to paint their spots must pay an additional $30 fee to the Student Council through Ambra Gormley. Payments will be accepted on Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon.
School officials noted that parking assignments from the previous school year will not carry over. Seniors may begin painting their spaces on Aug. 7 with all artwork required to be completed by Aug. 11.
The Aug. 3 announcement marks a reversal from the district's earlier parking policy and reinstates a tradition that many Mannford seniors and families have supported for years as a way for the graduating class to leave its mark on campus before the start of the new school year.