More than 375 students and community members have signed a Change.org petition started by a Marblehead High School student protesting the removal of doors to the boys and girls bathrooms in the building. (Stall doors are still in place.) The petition also complains about faculty and staff entering student bathrooms unannounced.
“The school’s decision to remove the bathroom doors leaves students vulnerable to unwanted eyes and ears, breaching the essentially fundamental right to privacy,” reads the petition launched by MHS junior Dimos Thanos.
Thamos cited Article 16 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which reads, “No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family, home or correspondence…”
MHS Principal Michele Carlson confirmed that the bathroom doors were removed.
“Over the years, we have faced challenges with both vaping, fighting and vandalism in the bathrooms,” she wrote in an email to the Current. “After hearing concerns from parents and students over the past few years, last year, we worked through the School Advisory Council, received feedback from both parents and students and developed a plan aimed at improving these spaces. Initially, we pinned bathroom doors open, but this solution unfortunately faced vandalism.”
Carlson continued: “To better address the situation, we updated the bathrooms this year by extending the walls creating a design similar to airport-style restrooms. This ensures student privacy while maintaining accessibility and visibility. We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of this solution and welcome any feedback from students and families. We also have single stall bathrooms on all floors for students who feel more comfortable using this style of bathroom.”
Carlson did not respond to questions about whether male staff members are entering girls bathrooms unannounced. Carlson said she is scheduling a time to meet with students this week to hear their concerns. Students say that meeting is scheduled for Thursday during a free block.
At a meeting in November 2023, Carlson addressed vaping issues at the school, saying there were eight vaping detectors in bathrooms. When they are set off, administrators receive a text message and email, and someone goes into the bathroom to investigate.
Asked then about how widespread a problem vaping is at the high school, Carlson answered, “I see the detectors going off, yes, but not all the time. Sometimes it’s students using hairspray, too.”
Carlson explained, “When we do catch somebody, we have a diversion program. The goal is to educate them.”
Guarding the cafeteria?
The Change.org petition also refers to a new policy banning MHS students from leaving the cafeteria during lunch.
“I go to lunch and I’m seeing every single hallway that has access to the cafeteria guarded,” Thanos said. “Doors are closed, teachers are there.”
He suspects the new cafeteria rules may be to cut down on noise in the hallways, but he said it’s not fair to punish everyone for a few noisy students.
“That’s a ridiculous policy,” he said. “Why does everybody have to be locked in the cafeteria being watched? It’s very creepy.”
Thanos added: “It’s an interesting comparison to make but it’s starting to feel more and more like a prison. We don’t have any rights to privacy anymore. We can’t move around without being watched.”
Carlson responded about the new cafeteria rules, “Regarding lunchtime, we ask students to remain in the cafeteria to minimize disruptions to ongoing classes. When the weather improves in the spring, we look forward to opening the outdoor picnic tables for students to enjoy. Please know there is a designated bathroom available during lunch to meet students’ needs.”
When contacted about the petition, School Committee Chair Jenn Schaeffner wrote in an email, “There’s no School Committee policy regarding bathroom doors that I am aware of,” adding “I have spoken to (interim) Superintendent Robidoux and he is investigating the accusations in the petition. At this moment, this is the responsibility of the superintendent to determine what the facts are and to manage.”
Robidoux referred all questions to Carlson.
