End Forced Parking at Chickasha High School

We, the students, parents, and residents of Chickasha, Oklahoma, demand the immediate termination of the parking pass policy at Chickasha High School. This policy places an unjust financial burden on students and their families, requiring them to pay a fee simply to park at a public institution where attendance is mandatory. For many in our community, where financial resources are already stretched thin due to economic challenges, this additional cost is not just inconvenient—it’s a hardship. The parking pass itself, a large and adhesive sticker, is notoriously difficult to remove, often leaving behind residue or causing damage to windshields, which forces families to incur repair costs or live with the blemish. Meanwhile, the policy generates about $300 annually, a paltry amount that underscores its insignificance as a revenue source and suggests its true purpose is control rather than fiscal necessity. Enforcement measures, such as booting vehicles for non-compliance, further drain school resources and foster resentment among students, parents, and staff alike.

Opposition to this policy is not new—it has persisted for decades, reflecting deep-seated frustration with an administration that refuses to listen. Recently, this discontent erupted into action. A rally outside the school drew dozens of residents—a notable turnout for a small town like Chickasha—carrying signs with messages such as “Students Over Profits!” and “End the Parking Tax!” Concurrently, a school board meeting saw an overflow crowd, with attendees spilling into the hallways, all voicing their outrage over the policy’s continuation. These events left no ambiguity: the community stands united against this measure. Yet, Superintendent Rick Croslin, who holds the authority to end this policy with a single decision, has sidestepped accountability. Instead of acting decisively, he offered a vague pledge to “rethink” the policy, contingent on the Student Council taking initiative—a deflection that shifts the burden onto students rather than addressing the issue head-on. This response is not only inadequate but insulting to a community that has made its position clear.

This struggle extends beyond parking spaces—it’s a stand for accountability and resistance to administrative overreach. The policy disproportionately affects those least able to bear it, alienates the very community the school serves, and persists despite overwhelming opposition. We call upon Superintendent Rick Croslin and the Chickasha School Board to abolish the parking pass policy immediately. The voices of students, parents, and residents have been raised loud and clear through protests, packed meetings, and years of grievances. The time for change is not tomorrow—it is now.