High School of Telecommunication Arts & Technology introduced a new bathroom policy that has left some puzzled.

The policy now makes it so that only one student can enter the restroom one at a time. The new rule cuts the number of students allowed in the bathroom in half, as it used to be two at a time.

The policy is in response to vandalism, use of vapes, and other smoking devices that were happening in the bathroom.

This shift has left students frustrated as wait time has increased for bathroom use. Students are now missing more time in each class, as some normal bathroom breaks can now take 15-20 minutes, which is almost half of a student’s class time.

The policy also requires School Aides to go into the bathrooms every 3 students to check if there has been vandalism or scent of smoke.

When asked about the new policy, Mr. Cunningham acknowledged the frustration across students, but provides some explanation for what sparked the change.

“I’m not happy with it, I would like for you guys to be able to use the bathroom, but because of the incidents that have been happening with the multiple people in there, fooling around, the vaping, and the graffiti.”

Cunningham goes on to say “Unfortunately we have to have somebody go in there after each person and check the bathroom for the time being.”

Assistant Principal De Martini is aware of some of the feedback from the school community.

“I did get feedback from one teacher, who said that the students were taking a long time, and also one parent who called and said their daughter has complained about waiting for the bathroom a long time, and it’s true she did, but again just one parent.”

De Martini ultimately thinks the change is better, as the bathroom should be simple. You use it, and you leave after.

“There is much more privacy, plus you get to miss more class if there’s a long line.” says 11th grader Bobby Chan.

This new policy has created discourse around the building, but the school ultimately sees it as a necessary change.