Warren County High School officials are bracing for unrest as construction has reduced the school’s available parking from 665 to 442 spaces, meaning there won’t be as many spaces as there will be students asking for them.
“I know I’m going to have some upset students and I’ll get calls from angry parents, but there’s nothing I can do about this,” said Warren County High School executive principal Jimmy Walker. “Until construction is complete, we won’t have enough parking spaces for every student who wants a parking pass.”
The school had 665 parking spaces and 70 spaces will be permanently removed by the new fieldhouse under construction. However, until construction is complete, an additional 153 spaces will be sectioned off and used by the construction crew and its machinery.
The remaining 442 parking spaces will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis during registration beginning with seniors and juniors. If there are any remaining spaces, they will be open to lowerclassmen. Importantly, students must have the required information when they apply for a parking pass: driver license, auto tag number, a school schedule, and a locker number.
“If you have to get out of line during registration to go get any of that information, you will have to get back in line and wait,” said Penny Shockley, one of the school’s assistant principals. “With the spaces available on a first-come, first serve basis, it’s best to have all that information with you when you apply. We won’t save your spot in line.”
Registration for seniors is Aug. 4 from 8 to 11 a.m., freshmen Aug. 4 from 5 to 8 p.m., juniors Aug. 5 from 8 to 11 a.m., and sophomores Aug. 5 from 12 to 3 p.m.
Students and parents need to be aware there have been some changes in the registration process. All students will register in the school’s gymnasium this year.
Seniors, juniors and sophomores will enter in the first set of doors into the gym. There will be tables stationed around the gym in three areas.
Area one: the first set of four tables will be alphabetized by students’ last name (table one A-E, table two F-L, table three M-Ri, and table four Ro-Z). This area is where students can pick up their school schedules.
Area two: tables will be set up for students to select a locker.
Area three: parking pass registration. Students must complete areas one and two before being allowed to apply for a parking pass.
“Having all the registration taking place in the gymnasium, we hope that streamlines the process,” said Shockley.
Parents are being urged to question students about any forms they were given during registration. Specifically, the registration form, yellow checkout card, media release, and CEP form for free breakfast and lunch.
“Seniors, juniors and sophomores are a little different than freshmen,” said Shockley. “Freshmen usually have parents with them at registration so their forms are filled out that night. However, upperclassmen come by themselves. We are encouraging parents to ask their children about forms they were given during registration. It’s important that we get that information back to the school.”
Freshmen will also meet in the gym. Students, and those accompanying them, must be in the gym and seated at 5 p.m. sharp. From there, they will be released to their homerooms where parents will be asked to fill out the registration forms, yellow checkout card, media release, and CEP form. Student-led tours will be offered so incoming freshmen can familiarize themselves with the area.
School officials are also trying to get the word out to parents and students about other changes caused by construction.
“We have had to make a few changes that we need to make everyone aware of,” said Shockley. “Because of the construction of our new fieldhouse, we had to make some changes to our parking and our bus drop off. What we are trying to do is ease congestion.”
Specific changes:
• Express bus riders only will be released to the buses at 2:40 p.m. The school has nine express buses that go to outlying schools after picking up at the high school. All other bus riders will be released from class at 2:45 p.m.
• Buses will be stacked, two beside each other, rather than in a line bumper to bumper.
• Busing students will enter and exit the school in the same area. While the entrance has remained unchanged, students are now being asked to exit the school in that area rather than out the gym doors. Because the area has no awning, students will be instructed as to an alternate entrance and exit during inclement weather.
• If any parents have children at Hickory Creek Elementary and the high school, they will be allowed use of the high school’s bus ramp because the yellow gate connecting the bus ramp to the side parking lot will be open. Parents can drop their younger children off at Hickory Creek. Then, use the bus ramp to travel around the back of the high school in order to drop their children off at the circle drive. The ramp is one-way traffic only. Parents deciding to drop their older children off first cannot use the bus ramp to access Hickory Creek.
Unchanged will be the circle drive for parents to drop off and pick up their students. 
Construction of the fieldhouse is estimated for completion in October. At that time, officials will decide what changes will be permanent. At that time, additional parking spaces made available will be assigned to students.