Avon Grove rolls out fob-access single-user restrooms after board and community requests

Avon Grove School District officials told the operations committee they installed new fob-access single-user restrooms at the high school and middle school to improve safety, accessibility and student privacy. The doors were integrated into a districtwide access-control and camera upgrade, and families can request individual fob cards for students.

Administrators said the district placed four single-user restrooms in the high school (one on each floor plus one by the auxiliary gym) and two in the middle school (one upstairs and one by the auditorium). "Last year, they had to obtain a key in an administrative office. This year, if they fill out the form, they are able to obtain a fob card that they keep with them in their possession," an administrator said.

Hardware and security features: district technology and facilities staff explained the doors have a large vacancy indicator on the handle, and that when a student locks the door from inside it deactivates the fob so another person cannot use the card to enter. Doors also retain a traditional mechanical override for staff emergencies. The restrooms are part of a larger project that moves door access and cameras to a new districtwide system; officials said the system can generate alerts and will eventually integrate with the district's radio system.

Access process and oversight: administrators said the district drafted a family-facing request form and sent communications to families; as of the committee meeting two fob requests had been returned. Staff said additional safety measures include cameras outside restrooms, vape sensors and a security staff rotation that places a security team member on each floor. "One benefit we have is we have one member of our security team that rotates on each floor," a district official said.

Reaction: board members thanked administrators for addressing the community's request and several expressed support for the system's design, specifically that a fob becomes deactivated once a door is locked from inside. Officials said teaching staff were notified and supportive and that the district will monitor use and adjust alerts or staffing as needed.

Next steps: the district will continue communications and monitor the rollout, and committee members moved the item forward for committee/board follow-up as part of the broader facilities/security project.