Students at Clackamas High School (CHS) can no longer sit or linger around their cars during lunches or excused periods. School administrators announced the policy in late October, aiming to address safety concerns, supervision, and property concerns on campus.  

Under the new policy, students must enter the building immediately after parking. They can only return to their cars when leaving campus. Possible consequences for violating the policy include losing a parking pass or having parents notified. The school has also noted alternative options, like going to the library during free periods.

Administrative Safety Concerns 

According to the Dean of Students, Micah Francesconi, school leaders decided to make the change because they were getting more reports from neighbors, teachers, and other students regarding unsupervised behavior in the parking lot.

“Safety concerns specifically had to do with decisions that students were making,” the dean said. 

“We don’t have supervision outside at all times, and we don’t have surveillance. If something happens out there, we don’t have an efficient way to hear about it or respond to it.” 

The dean also noted several issues that contributed to the policy change, including: 

• Reports of vandalism, such as damage to cars 
• Students gathering in cars or staying in the parking lot during class
• Litter around the parking lot, often after lunch 
• Neighbor complaints related to student behavior

Administrators see the goal of the parking policy is to make parking on campus feel secure for students and ensure that expectations for parking pass holders are met. Admin hopes to get fewer reports and complaints as a result of the policy. 

Students Express Doubts

Students have expressed concern that the policy is unfair and that it affects those who were using the space appropriately. Laila Handsaker, a senior at Clackamas, said that the rule could have been addressed individually. 

“I heard one group of students was smoking in a car, and they’re worried similar behavior would happen again,” Laila said. “But instead of talking to those students, the rule now affects everyone. If someone is doing something wrong, then take away their pass.”

Laila and other students have said that cars serve as an important space for students who need quiet or privacy during free periods and lunches.

“Some students have free periods and don’t have anywhere else to go,” she said. “My friend and I used my car to rehearse lines for a play because it was the only quiet place. Now we can’t do that.”

Parking differs in NCSD

All high schools in the North Clackamas School District (NCSD) set expectations for how students act in the parking lot, but CHS is currently the only school in NCSD that restricts students from being in their cars during the school day.  

Others, including Milwaukie and Adrienne C. Nelson High Schools, have parking regulations related to safety and consequences for misuse, but do not stop students from sitting in their vehicles during school hours.

Similar to CHS, Sabin-Schellenberg does not allow students in the parking lot during class. If students do not have courses currently at Sabin-Shellenberg, students are expected to go back to their home schools.

A privilege that can be revoked 

At CHS, parking is being treated as a privilege that can be revoked, similar to the district-wide policy. The specific “no remaining in vehicles” rule is unique to Clackamas.

To help enforce the new rules, the campus monitors will rotate through the parking lot throughout the day. The administrators acknowledge that constant supervision is not possible, but they say the increased presence will support consistency and safety.

Some students hope the policy will be adjusted later, while others are waiting to see whether it becomes a long-term rule that sticks. 

“I was talking with a student the other day who said they feel anxious parking their car here,” the dean said. “Sometimes they would leave class to check on their car … We want the students to see the expectations don’t just exist on paper. To see change so that the parking lot is less messy, safer, and they would trust parking their cars here.”

The school has not said whether the policy may change again. Although Francesconi said they were “beginning with the end in mind,” meaning that school officials plan to monitor the effectiveness as the year progresses. If the parking lot is cleaner and safer for everyone, they might consider taking a different approach.