Easton Area High School building

Some students say closed restrooms are a problem at Easton Area High School.

(Express-Times File Photo)

Closed since fall over safety concerns, several restrooms at Easton Area High School only recently reopened, district Superintendent John Reinhart said today.



But, backed by a parent, students said they're still inconvenienced by the lavatories that remain closed.

Parent Rich Herschlag told The Express-Times that his daughter complained about the restrictions when they first arose last fall.

He said he thought it was something that would blow over, but last week, his daughter mentioned the restroom problem again and he couldn’t believe it.

“It just seems that schools in general will overreact to misbehaving and punish the entire school,” he said. “It’s a rationalization to err on the side of caution.”

Reinhart, in an email, said "a number" of restrooms were closed last fall for disciplinary reasons in reaction to students gathering there at inappropriate times during the school day. The school did not have cameras there to assist administration in surveillance of the hall areas near the restrooms, he said.

“While students did not like the inconvenience, our response was similar to what happens in many public places when there is a possible threat to safety,” Reinhart said in the email.

He added that since fall, all students who needed the availability of the lavatories due to medical concerns were given special documentation that enabled them to access facilities wherever and whenever needed.

Reinhart said no parents have come to the district administration to voice concerns about the closures.

Herschlag said he plans to contact school officials. He said it’s an indignity that most students are forced to use only certain restrooms in the school.

He claimed five of the Palmer Township school's nine restrooms have been closed, according to his daughter, and those that remain open are out of the way for many students during the day.

Devan Gaskins, a junior at the school, said some of the remaining restrooms are out of the way from his classes, making him late to class because of the line of people.

He said some people just hang out in the restrooms, taking up space in an already busy area.

Freshman Destiny George said the restrooms have been closed since a bomb threat at the school in early September.

George said it’s inconvenient at times to go across the school during the five-minute class change, but her teachers have understood if she comes to class a little late.

Freshman Zaid Irfan echoed that teachers have been understanding.

“They don’t mind,” he said. “They know it’s a problem.”

Easton Area School Board President Frank Pintabone said today he was unaware of the issue; he has a son in the high school.

“As a board, we’re not involved in day-to-day operations,” he said.

Herschlag said he is looking for more information on the matter, as well as a solution.

“I would like some more information myself,” he said.