For school administrators and security experts, a safe and secure learning environment is the top priority. While major security incidents often dominate the headlines, a persistent, everyday challenge lies in an unlikely place: the school bathroom.
These spaces, which should be safe and accessible for all students, have become hotbeds for issues like vandalism, bullying, vaping, and drug use.
According to a security expert writing for Campus Safety Magazine, Joseph Hendry Jr., the problems in restrooms are wide-ranging and significant.
“Problems in restrooms include bullying, vaping, cultural/religious/racial intimidation, fighting, criminal damage, political fights, educational disruption, drug use, overuse of staff resources, wandering students, and lost education hours and opportunities,” Hendry notes. In his view, restrooms are “taxing educational resources more than ever before and making our classrooms less safe.”
This echoes widespread reports from news sources like K-12 Dive, which reported that school bathroom policies have “hardened amid upticks in bullying, risky behaviors” across the country.
The problems are not merely behavioral; they affect overall campus security. Unaccompanied bathroom trips pull students from secured classrooms and introduce traffic into hallways, a situation Hendry saw: “Bathroom trips are compromising the security of the building.” Furthermore, the sheer cost of repairs due to vandalism — toilets torn out of the ground, dispensers ripped from walls — is a major concern for districts, as reported by the New Haven Independent.
Technology provides some solutions
Fortunately, technology is providing solutions that enhance safety while respecting student privacy. The key is in using non-invasive monitoring tools:
- Smart sensors for vaping and noise detection: The most-cited tech solution is the use of non-visual smart sensors. These air quality monitors can detect vape smoke, THC, and other chemicals. They can also detect sound anomalies like heightened aggression, fighting, or excessive noise. These solutions monitor bathrooms without recording audio or video, which helps schools navigate the tricky balance of monitoring and student privacy.
- Digital hall pass systems: To address the issue of loitering and unauthorized congregation, schools are implementing digital hall pass solutions. This system allows administrators to manage student movement and limit the number of students in a restroom at one time. This not only cuts down on in-bathroom incidents but also minimizes disruption to class time.
- Durable and touchless fixtures: To combat vandalism and improve hygiene, facility design is being upgraded. Recommendations include installing sturdy and seamless sinks, partitions less susceptible to graffiti, and touchless fixtures like faucets and flushometers.
By combining strategic facility improvements, the implementation of smart non-invasive technologies, and a school-wide commitment to culture and accountability, schools can transform their restrooms back into the safe and private spaces students deserve.