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Student representatives report problems with reusable diningware, bathroom monitoring and facility maintenance
Summary
Several student representatives updated the Ithaca City School District board about campus issues: reusable plates and utensils being discarded, an ongoing teacher ‘sentry’ policy outside restrooms, menstrual product distribution efforts, heating problems in one classroom, and progress on a living wall project.
Student representatives spoke at the Jan. 14 Ithaca City School District board meeting about a range of school-life issues, from lunchtime diningware to bathroom monitoring and building maintenance.
Students said reusable plates and utensils have repeatedly been thrown out or broken, leaving the cafeterias short and requiring temporary use of paper plates. “We've unfortunately been encountering some issues with the reusable plates and utensils. So main issue is that they've been getting thrown out with the trash or being, like, broken by the students,” said Student Representative 1.
Student representatives also described ongoing adult monitoring at bathroom entrances — sometimes called “sentry” duty — which was put in place after incidents including vaping, skipping class and eating in restrooms. Student Representative 2 said the practice has reduced some problems but remains unpopular with students who feel monitored despite not engaging in those behaviors: “It seems unlikely that the policy will be repealed for the rest of the year and, in all fairness, it has worked.” The student asked the board to consider workshopping alternative approaches.
Other student updates included a long-running student-council project to distribute menstrual products in high school bathrooms (the council said the effort has continued for roughly two and a half years), a successful winter carnival fundraiser that raised “thousands of dollars” for student trips, a National Honor Society induction expected Jan. 21, and Regents-week scheduling details for LACS.
Students reported a heating problem in classroom U6 that remains unresolved for one room and progress on a “living wall” landscaping project in the school lobby — a retired arborist recently advised the school and the district has ordered fertilizer while the green-thumb committee seeks a contractor to train students on maintenance.
Board members responded with thanks and encouragement. Karen, board member, praised the fundraising event and expressed interest in the student-produced video for rising ninth-graders that the student council’s curriculum collaborative committee is developing.
The student reports were given during the student-rep portion of the agenda and prompted several brief board responses; no formal board action was taken on the items at this meeting.
