West High students present survey to board urging fixes after frequent lack of soap and broken stalls

Two West High students presented the results of a student‑conducted survey during public comment, telling the Torrance Unified board their peers regularly encounter unstocked soap dispensers, broken stalls and restricted bathroom access.

Eileen Zavala and Leah Ho said they collected just over 50 student responses. They reported that 68% of respondents said soap was available only “sometimes” and 30% said “never,” leaving nearly all respondents indicating soap is not regularly stocked. The students said 86% of respondents rated closure of bathroom facilities during the day at a 4 or 5 on a scale of upset, and roughly 43% said they sometimes avoid using campus restrooms because of their condition. Students also relayed free‑response comments about long delays to repair sinks or stall doors.

Why it matters: Sanitation and access to functioning restrooms are core student‑health and wellbeing issues. The students urged the board to address recurring maintenance gaps that they say affect routine hygiene and comfort during school hours.

Board response and next steps: The presiding officer noted the board cannot respond to non‑agenda items during public comment but said staff would make notes and follow up. No formal action was taken at the meeting; staff follow‑up and any request to place the issue on a future agenda would be the next procedural steps.

Notable quotes from the speakers include: “It’s really annoying to go into most bathrooms and only one or two stalls are working,” one student said during remarks summarizing free responses. The board thanked the students for bringing the data forward and indicated staff would be in touch.