At CHS, seniors are showing off their creativity one parking space at a time, but the price to park in style might just be draining their wallets faster than a freshly painted stripe can dry. With fees climbing up to $150 (and that’s before buying paint, brushes, or maybe even tape), some students are starting to wonder if the pricing is too much.
This year, seniors paid $100 for a parking spot for the full school year, or $50 per semester if they’re early grads. On top of that, each senior who wanted to paint their spot paid an additional $50 painting fee, bringing the total up to $150 for those going all in on the experience.
The money collected for both parking and painting doesn’t just disappear into the asphalt. According to CHS secretary Kathy Verning, these funds go directly toward the building and grounds district account, helping cover the maintenance and upkeep of the parking lot, such as repainting lines and updating old designs for the following year.
Before any paint touches pavement, seniors must also submit a sample of their design for approval, ensuring that every masterpiece is family-friendly and creative.
The senior painting program gives soon-to-be graduates a chance to personalize their spot with bold color, quotes, and designs. But as costs rise, many students are starting to feel like they’re getting less bang for their buck. Between senior dues, graduation expenses, and the cost of supplies, parking has become yet another price tag, and not many seniors can afford it.
A few ways to make the system more affordable and fair, without losing the fun of personalization:
- Lower the base fee: Reducing the overall cost could make Senior parking more accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford the extras.
- Supply Swap or Donation Drive: Encourage students and families to donate leftover paint or brushes from previous years so that others can reuse them.
- Volunteer Credits: Offer small discounts to students who help repaint the lot, clean up trash, or assist with maintenance at the end of the year.
Each of these ideas could help keep CHS’s colorful tradition alive while making it a little easier on students’ wallets (and parents or guardians).
Sure, the prices might make you groan, and yes, you’ve got to bring your own supplies, but don’t let that stop you from checking out the masterpieces across the CHS parking lot. Even with the high cost, it’s clear that the creativity runs deep. Each painted spot tells a story, emphasizing uniqueness and showing how stylish CHS seniors are.
The CHS senior parking painting tradition is more than just paint on pavement; it’s a celebration of individuality, school spirit, and the last stretch before graduation. But if prices keep climbing, that celebration could become a luxury few can afford.
