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Community members press St. Johns board over restroom doors, locks and supervision
Summary
Several community members told the board the district has missing stall doors and non-functioning locks in middle- and high-school restrooms and urged increased maintenance and supervision; the superintendent said principals had not verified the reported incidents.
Multiple community members raised concerns about restroom privacy, maintenance and supervision during the public-comment period on Dec. 8. Speakers said stall doors were missing and locks were not working in girls’ and boys’ bathrooms and urged the board to prioritize repairs and clearer supervision protocols.
Philip Foust told the board some parents feel uncomfortable raising concerns and said he would continue to attend meetings until the issue is resolved. Ilene Schueller, Sarah Martin and Sandy Steffen each cited missing stall doors and non-functioning locks and urged additional supervision; Ms. Martin also asked whether restroom policies extend to locker rooms and emphasized focusing on academics while ensuring safe spaces for students. Superintendent Dr. Anthony Berthiaume later reported that building principals had not verified the reported safety concerns but said the district will work with individuals if specific issues arise and that bathroom maintenance is being addressed.
Why it matters: Claims about missing stall doors and locks implicate student privacy and safety and prompted follow-up from administrators. The minutes record differing perspectives from community members and staff; the board did not take a formal remedial vote during the meeting.
