By: Carsen Caldwell

Since the 2021-2022 school year, Bellbrook High students have the privilege of driving to school. Bellbrook High School (BHS) assistant principal Barry Limon regulates the parking lots.

“The rule is simple: according to our handbook, you need a permit and you have to park in a BHS lot,” Limon said. “Honestly, having to tell kids they can’t drive to school is the worst part. I definitely don’t enjoy it, but it’s just part of the job.”

A student can purchase a parking pass that corresponds to a spot in the parking lot once they have their license.

“I’ve never been scared to hand out a parking pass. It’s an exciting time for BHS students, especially those who just got their license,” Limon said.

Limon is in his 3rd year of regulating the parking lot and occasionally runs into issues. “Sometimes I don’t like regulating it,” Limon said. “Students or visitors park in the wrong spot, and it causes a chain reaction. By the end of the year, we have more licensed drivers than parking spots, so students end up parking in visitor spots or the preschool.”

While Limon regulates it, juniors Zakai Fields and Eddie Alyanak live it. “I’m never really there when it’s busy, but I love being able to have my car at school and leave early so I can go to work or the gym earlier,” Fields said. “One complaint I do have is when I get there for late entry, I can only enter through the front or the athletic doors.” Fields has a spot in the side lot, away from both of the open entrances.

“The teachers watching in the morning are an important part of keeping the school safe,” Alyanak said. “One time I got caught speeding through the parking lot, and got a stern talking to from Sgt. Venegas. Safe to say I’ll never speed again.”