Behind closed doors: Restrooms down for repair

A student has their school ID scanned before entering a Manteca High School bathroom as part of the schools' updated restroom procedures. (Samantha Lewis/The Tower) 

By SAMANTHA LEWIS 
The Tower 

Students at Manteca High School are facing changes to their normal routines as multiple campus bathrooms have been closed because of plumbing problems reportedly connected to students flushing vapes and other items down toilets. 

The closures have left students with fewer bathrooms available during the school day and have raised concerns about how the damage could affect students and staff, and the amount of time students spend away from class. 

According to school officials, flushing items that are not meant to go down the toilets has contributed to plumbing issues on campus. Items such as vapes and other objects can cause blockage and damage to plumbing systems designed to handle only normal waste. 

With fewer restrooms available, students have to walk farther to find an open bathroom, potentially taking time away from class. California regulations also require school restrooms to be maintained and kept operational, while requiring sufficient restroom access during school hours. 

For some students, the closures have become an inconvenience they have had to adjust to during the school day. Students may have to plan when they use the bathroom based on which bathrooms are open, while others may have concerns about having enough time to reach a restroom between classes. 

The school has also implemented bathroom rules that limit how many students can enter at one time, how long they can remain inside, and scanning school ID cards. While these rules are intended to help manage bathrooms and prevent problems, some students believe the restrictions can create difficulties when they need to use the restroom unexpectedly.  

“I don’t think the bathroom rules are fair because why does only one person go in and why do they only have 10 minutes. What if it’s an emergency?” said Haleema Jalali, a junior at Manteca High School. 

A Manteca High School bathroom stands closed behind a chain-link fence as the school addresses ongoing restroom issues on campus. (Samantha Lewis/The Tower)

For students who regularly need to use the bathroom during the school day, the combination of closed bathrooms and new restrictions can make a routine part of the school day more difficult. The issue has become a balance between keeping school facilities in good condition and making sure students have reasonable access to them. 

Currently, the bathrooms that remain open are the Addy Hall bathrooms and the downstairs V Wing bathrooms. Keeping a smaller number of bathrooms open allows monitors to focus their attention on these locations and make it easier to keep track of students entering and exiting. 

While the plumbing problems may have been caused by a small number of students, the closures have affected the larger student population. As the school works to address the damage, students are left adapting to fewer available bathrooms and additional rules surrounding their issue. 

The situation also raises a larger question for the Manteca High School community: how can the school prevent damage to its facilities while still ensuring students have safe, accessible and reliable restroom options throughout the school day? 

“More than like vaping or even fighting. Its just vandalism, you have to watch them like they’re fifth graders. It’s pretty embarrassing,” said Jaime Cruz a hall monitor. 

Another concern surrounding the bathroom lockdowns is the effect they may have on the overall atmosphere on campus. Bathrooms are normally a private and routine part of a students’ day, but increased restrictions can make students more aware of rules and supervision when using them. For students, the changes can create frustration when they feel that the actions of a few people have resulted in stricter expectations for everyone. 

“Stop messing around, flushing stuff you’re not supposed to down the toilet, and keep the bathrooms clean and working,” said Jazleen Anaya, a senior.