Smiths Station High Schools is adopting a new restroom policy

On November 9, 2024By Pranco

SMITHS STATION, Ala. (WTVM) – Some parents whose children attend Smiths Station High School are angry about the implementation of a new bathroom policy.

This new policy in Lee County limits students to only one bathroom break per day unless it is an emergency.

The people I spoke with disagree with limiting the number of bathroom breaks for students. The superintendent of Lee County Schools says this policy was put in place to prevent students from vandalizing bathroom stalls.

Smiths Station High School has a new bathroom policy that limits students in the classroom to An bathroom break per day. Dr. However, Lee County Schools Superintendent Mike Howard says if there is an emergency, they can go during class. He also says this is nothing new, they are adopting policies already in place at Central, Auburn and Opelika.

Dr. Howard cites the main reason for the policy change: students are typically late to class several times a day.

He sent me a statement explaining another reason for the change…which reads in part.

The policy allows students to use the restroom between classes and during lunch breaks.

I spoke with two Smiths Station residents who disagree with this new policy. One person did not want to be identified for personal reasons.

“The policy of going to the toilet once a day is absolutely insane. Students should be able to go to the toilet as often as necessary. That should just be honest common sense. That is insane policy and I think it should not be implemented at all.”

“That’s pretty bad. I think that’s a big deal because there are a lot of people with problems that sometimes they can’t keep going,” said Smiths Station resident Sam Watson. “Yes, I think that is very bad.”

The superintendent says the same policy has been in place at other nearby schools for some time and has proven successful. He is asking parents and students to give them the opportunity to bring pride back to Smiths Station High School.