Taunton High School administration informed students and teachers on Friday, November 17, that there will be an elimination of student and teacher parking spots to accommodate parent pick up and drop off zones. This decision would greatly inconvenience both students who drive themselves to school, as well as teachers who rely on these spots for their daily commute. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 25% of high school students drive themselves to school nationwide (NCES, 2019). Additionally, removing teacher parking could negatively impact their punctuality and preparedness for class considering the parking lot they would be forced to use is on the opposite side of campus as their classrooms. As well as the student athletes who park in the “Jock” and “Fock” will now have to carry equipment like backpacks and sticks through the entire parking lot and across the school to locker room. Instead of leaving it in their cars parking only a few hundred feet away from the locker room and turf practice fields.  We must consider the needs of all stakeholders when making decisions about our educational facilities. A change like this is disruptive and would be better received at the start if new school year. Please sign this petition if you believe that student and teacher parking should be preserved at Taunton High.