In a controversial move, one Texas high school principal decided to remove restroom doors in an effort to stop drug use and other “significant behavioral events” that have been taking place this year.
Christina Steele Hantgin, the principal at Austin ISD’s Travis Early College High School, sent a letter to parents explaining her decision while acknowledging that she could have better communicated her plans.
In the letter, she explained that there have been serious behavioral events and “conduct violations” that have occurred inside the restrooms, about 90% of which are drug offenses. Hantgin claims there have been no incidents since the doors were taken down, adding that no stall can be viewed from the hallway outside.
Hantgin claimed that the school had exhausted other methods in dealing with the safety concerns. One strategy that had been tried was locking bathrooms that could not be monitored; however, she said the process was taking up too much time.
“My number one priority is safety,” she said in the letter to parents. “Removing the doors is one of many strategies we are planning or implementing to keep our campus a safe learning environment.”
