By Andria Roiballove
As of August 28, 2023, both junior high and high school students have had to enter campus through the junior high gates before 8:00 a.m. This decision, influenced by the increasing amount of traffic at school, has been a major debate among students. It has not only changed the way students on both campuses are dropped off but also how they are picked up.
An e-mail was sent by the high school principal Mr. Figueroa (Mr. Fig) to parents and students regarding this new policy. Parents and visitors can only enter the campus through the high school office, even during drop-off times, and both lanes on Academy Way are available as exits and U-turns. Students who arrive late to school after 8:00 a.m. must also enter through the high school office. In addition, Mr. Fig’s e-mail cautioned drivers to watch their speed, be courteous to faculty and staff, and be aware of pedestrians. As for drop-offs and pick-ups before and after school, drivers need to move along the high school side and push through toward junior high.
The reason behind these policies is clear: traffic. Students, parents, and staff on all three campuses have dealt with this issue firsthand. Students specifically have struggled to arrive to class on time and find available parking. One junior remarked, “It just makes my 'junior-itis' worse. My mindset now is: What’s the point of coming to school on time if I’m going to be late anyway?” Chloe Becerra (’24), a seasoned driver, shared her annoyance with parents taking spots that are reserved for students. It seems that these issues with traffic have increased heavily since last year, and thus, the need for new traffic policies.
Several students believe that the new policies have failed to solve the overall issue of traffic. Leonardo Lopez (’26) said that not only do elementary parents may cause a lot of the recurring problems, but the situation has not been made better. Another sophomore, Rachel Yang, thought similarly. “This new system feels more complicated than it has to be. I think that utilizing the Kids U parking lot may be helpful for elementary, which is causing most of the traffic,” she says.
When it comes to staff members, who play key roles in controlling traffic in the drop-off and pick-up lines, some disagree with students. Pastor Skoretz has shared many stories about angry parents, but overall he feels that the traffic flow has gotten better. These different perspectives from the high school campus showcase the different impacts of the new traffic policies. Staff members may feel a likeness to the changes made, whereas students and parents are most likely to feel negative about them.
However, an explanation as to the background of these policies may change some opinions. When I interviewed Mr. Fig, he vocalized that there is a short-term and a long-term solution. For example, the decision to have students enter through the junior high gates is a short-term solution. Mr. Fig said that this change has indeed helped with traffic flow because it forces drivers to proceed quickly through the drop-off and pick-up lines. Now, instead of an overbearing amount of cars on campus, there is an equal distribution. A long-term solution to this problem, according to Mr. Fig, would be to implement a new road. However, this would take several years and come with heavy costs.
In regards to the future, a traffic-free LLA would be ideal, but it is not realistic for positive change to happen immediately. LLA administrators need to consider many in-house and community factors pertaining to traffic. While the present opinions on traffic may not change soon, future additions and long-term solutions like a new road are something worth hoping for. The new traffic policies on campus have stirred quite a debate, but these changes have been implemented by people who desire the safety, security, and success of the school.
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