Vandalism Causes More Bathroom Issues

Dunbar bathrooms have been severely damaged over the last several years, so this year the administration took action by removing the outer doors of the boys’ bathrooms.

To some, this seems harsh, but with damage including urination on the walls, broken soap dispensers, graffiti, and even sinks ripped off the walls, the consequences have become more significant. During the week of Dec. 4-9, there were even reports of feces on the floor of a girls’ bathroom between the 300s and 400s and in the boys’ bathroom in the gym foyer.

Not only are these issues unhygienic, but they are also costly.

Plumbing issues and the replacement of paper towel dispensers are the majority of the repairs.

“I’ve been here six years, and it’s never been this bad. It’s worse now and I don’t know why,” custodian Michelle Fryman said.

There should be eight on staff every night, but right now there are only six. With extracurricular activities on top of the regular work assignments, it has been extra difficult.

“Since I’ve been here there has only been one year that we’ve been fully staffed,” she said. “It’s too much going on.”

Although removing the doors from the boys’ bathrooms is an attempt at problem-solving, many students are unhappy due to the inconvenience, especially since a rule is in place that students may not leave class during the first or last 15 minutes of the block. 

“It takes like 20 minutes to pee,” sophomore Sophia Staples said, “because you have to first find the bathrooms that are open and then try to find the ones with the shortest line.”

Teachers are also frustrated.

“Students are now having to search for a bathroom that is open…it’s frustrating because there is only a small group of students acting disrespectfully and inappropriately,” Spanish teacher Mrs. Rebecca Martin said. 

She also said that it disrupts her class time because students are out so often.

“I have to stop what I’m saying, go open the door, and then continue to keep everyone’s attention while also keeping track of how long each student is in the bathroom.”

The administration decided to remove the outer doors for boys’ bathrooms because that is where the majority of the vandalism is happening.

Although there are doors on the stalls, the urinals do not have privacy. 

“It’s super annoying,” sophomore Jack Prendergast said. “It’s the lack of privacy that is infuriating. Somebody can easily peek their head through and it can be really invasive.”

Some parents are weighing in on the issue in an online group called ¨Fayette County Kids Matter.¨

Dunbar parent Elizabeth Park said that she understands that the vandalism is problematic, but wishes there was another way to handle the problem. She suggested a district-wide security consulting firm.

“FCPS should make a long-term investment in vandalism-proof equipment upgrades and safety architecture,” she said.

Mrs. Martin said that peer pressure could help.

¨I think it comes down to being a good model student to influence others,” she said. ¨But we also need to be reporting anything we see as soon as we see it so that it can be addressed and the students who are breaking the rules have consequences immediately.¨

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  • Items like feminine hygiene receptacles get broken purposefully.

  • The floor drains get flooded by students pouring things.

  • The toilets in the boys’ restroom are missing toilet paper dispensers that have been torn off the walls.

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We have reached out to the administration for comment. We will update this story as it develops.