“It is hard to find the ideal option, but the safety department and administration feel that this is the best opportunity for the greater good,” said Director of Safety Dr. Loyce Spells.

This year marks Spells’ third year as Director of Safety, and his goal when dealing with the parking lot has been to satisfy the community as much as possible. 

With roughly over 300 senior applicants each year and only approximately 200 available spots excluding spots reserved for medical reasons, it is important to note not every senior will have a spot.

“This conclusion was not created out of some vacuum; it wasn’t created without student voice, without the community and families’ voice–it was made specifically for them,” said Spells.

The annual student parking permit costs $400, and students who qualify for financial assistance pay $200. There is no fee to enter the lottery. The drawing registration is open from May 11 to July 16. The drawing will be conducted at random on July 21.

“We can’t pick and choose where a student’s parking spot is,” said Spells. “It’s truly lottery-based–not just the student who wins, but the space with it.”

The location of the spot is a concern for many students, especially for student athletes who would prefer to be closer to Door 3 and the gym wing, where practices and games are held. If students were allowed to choose their spot, it might lead to complications.

Due to the finite number of spots available to students, there has been discussion about including spots in parking lots 4 and 4A–the two parking lots bordering Lazier Field–in the lottery. However, these lots are unpaved, and paving them would be expensive.

To help students avoid unnecessary parking citations, the safety department provides a clear process for how to handle temporary vehicle changes.

“When entering through any door at school, you can advise the safety department of your parking space number, name, ID number and that you have a different vehicle that day. This way, you’ll be put on a do-not-ticket list,” said Spells.

Parking rules at ETHS are based upon City of Evanston code, with the most common violation being parking without authorization. Spells notes that parking citations are not a punitive response but are meant to serve the people who have paid for and won the spot. 

It is also important to note that parking enforcement on ETHS grounds and nearby street parking extends beyond school-issued tickets; the City of Evanston may cite students’ parking for expired tags, unpaid tickets or other violations.

The parking lot lottery remains a difficult issue to resolve in a way that satisfies everyone, but the administration aims to reach an outcome that serves the broader community.

“This change makes sense as it guarantees more spots for seniors,” said rising junior Teddy Merritt. “With all of the street parking around the school, it’s not the biggest deal.”