Building committee reviews inclusive-restroom plans for South High rebuild; members press on access and supervision

The South High School Building Committee on June 8 reviewed detailed restroom plans for the new South High School, focusing on a mix of multi-stall "inclusive" facilities and single-user toilets intended to improve privacy, accessibility and distribution across the building.

Brooke presented the design-development work and survey results, saying the team is proposing a variety of restroom typologies — stacked multi-stall inclusive restrooms with floor-to-ceiling lockable partitions, distributed single-user restrooms for students and educators, and traditional gendered locker-room facilities for athletics. "We are looking and kind of redefining healthy and inclusive restrooms beyond the mainstream definition," Brooke said, listing considerations such as cleanliness, privacy, hand washing, physical and mental accessibility, religious and cultural needs and access to menstrual products.

Brooke also cited the project's student survey, saying "students indicated a preference for individual restrooms, 39% (246 students) above other configurations," and said educators flagged a shortage of faculty restrooms in the existing building. She said the design team will work within the revised plumbing code (updated December 2023) that permits multi-stall gender-neutral restrooms when specified requirements are met, including provision of at least one single-user inclusive toilet room on the same floor within 300 feet.

Committee members pressed the presenters on practical issues. Megan asked about the location and distribution of restrooms on each level; Brooke said the design favors a central spine with toilets stacked on the north and south bars so students have multiple nearby options. Dominic asked whether the project's shared digital model (Revit) supports scenario and capacity testing; Patrick answered that the linked model coordinates trades, clash detection and construction sequencing and that the design is being sized for a baseline of 1,000 students with some capacity for future additions.

Members raised concerns about supervision and maintenance. "If single-user restrooms are locked, it's challenging to serve all needs," Brooke said, adding that single-user facilities must remain available to students to ensure access for those uncomfortable using multi-stall inclusive rooms. Matt asked whether inclusive multi-stall layouts would be more maintenance-intensive than traditional partitioned bathrooms; Brooke said there may be trade-offs in cleaning patterns and access, but the team will work with facilities staff to develop maintenance plans. Mark Glenn, identified as the principal, said sightlines and supervision must be carefully designed to prevent restrooms from becoming unsupervised gathering places.

Rick asked whether the softball field and tennis courts would be part of the enabling package; Brooke confirmed they would, meaning those fields would be available earlier in the schedule. Margaret and Brooke invited committee members to provide additional feedback and reminded them that a special school committee session at 5 p.m. on Monday will cover this restroom presentation in detail. Brooke said the team will share drawings and comparative counts (existing vs. proposed restrooms) with the committee.

The meeting also covered routine business: the committee approved the April 27 meeting minutes in a roll-call vote (motion carried with one abstention) and the finance working group reported invoice approvals totaling $17,886.50 in one package and $44,645 in a later package. There were no public comments; the committee adjourned.

The design team said it will continue iterating on restroom details, distribution and operational plans and will provide updated drawings and the design-development submission by the March 15 milestone referenced earlier in the meeting.