Kent School District principals outline layered approach to high school bathroom safety

At a special work session of the Kent School District Board, district leaders and four comprehensive high school principals described a set of layered strategies to reduce disorder and improve student access in high school restrooms.

The session, convened to discuss “high school bathrooms,” opened with remarks from Superintendent Israel Vela and district staff and included extended presentations from principals at Kent Meridian, Kentwood, Kent Ridge and Kent Lake. The principals told the board that bathroom problems are not isolated maintenance issues but are tied to attendance, student belonging and campus supervision.

The principals emphasized a three‑part approach: 1) address root causes such as chronic absenteeism and students seeking social connection; 2) increase adult supervision and visibility in known “hot spots”; and 3) use targeted technology and facilities changes. “One of the key things for us in terms of management is being aware of what the challenges are,” said David Radford, principal of Kent Meridian High School, explaining the school's use of staff feedback and student tips to identify and respond to trouble spots. Radford said his campus of “30 plus acres” and…