The day all of us hoped was a myth, just an obscure holiday far in the future, has already come. Today is Labor Day. September 1. That’s right: September. In June and July, it seemed so far off that we didn’t have to worry about it, but the first of the ten month ordeal known as school is finally upon us.

Issaquah School District’s stock photo of the now-nonexistent entrance to Skyline High School.

However, if you feel that school has snuck up on you, don’t feel bad, for you have company. Outside of the majority of students, apparently the construction workers aren’t ready for school to begin either. Despite the disheartening site of construction equipment occupying the entirety of the student parking lot even as we speak, the school had maintained its original stance that the parking lot would be complete by the first day of school- until three days ago.

On Friday, the school district sent out an E-News email straight from the superintendent finally admitting that the construction is behind schedule. On the first day of school, there will be 32 less parking spaces in the student lot due to continued construction. And, as a result of the cancellation of Spartan Days in favor of online registration, no parking passes have been given out yet, meaning it will be entirely first come, first serve for at least the first day, possibly for the entire week.

Until the construction is completed, this will mean 32 less spots for the junior lottery since seniors will be guaranteed a spot if they want one as always, but until it is resolved, please be considerate of those in need of the spots. If you do not need to drive to school, please do not, at least for these first few days. Those who need to drive include those involved in fall sports and other activities who literally have no other way to get home after school.

Superintendent Steve Rasmussen went on to apologize for the inconvenience, adding that once construction of the parking lot was complete (with a pending timeline of two weeks), there would be 80 additional spaces. Although the parking lot construction could conceivably extend into October due to rain and other snags, the parking situation should be smoothed out by mid-October for sure.

Until then though, especially during the first couple weeks of school, I would definitely recommend getting to school unnaturally early if you absolutely need a spot, and be sure to leave at least some extra time regardless since the ordinary gridlock around 7:15 is sure to be far worse than ever before.

In addition to the most glaring controversy that will be present on the first day of school, students who live in the Claremont, Pine Hill, and Cedar Cove neighborhoods will no longer be able to walk to school via the gate near the South entrance to the school.

With several non-residents parking their cars in the neighborhoods last year, the community was able to sway the school to lock the gate, and issue keys to students who lived in the neighborhoods. However, this did not stop those parking there, who quickly broke the gate, rendering it useless. As a result, the school has decided to block access through this gate permanently, stopping everyone, even residents, from using it as a route to the campus.

Despite community uproar about this outcome, as of now, students will be required to take the bus despite living less than a half mile from the gate in some cases. Senior Kyle McGowan, who used to enjoy a five minute stroll to school, offered an ostensibly restricted response: “Well obviously, I am not happy about it.”

It seems that residents may have been convinced to remain silent on the issue in an attempt by the administration to quell protest. Although McGowan claims to have a secret path onto campus, several others will be forced into adding as much as 20 minutes to their morning commute. This is an issue sure to stir both neighborhood residents, as well as unruly sophomores and juniors in search of parking.