Vandalism in bathrooms and the inability to have cameras in those spaces is leading New Kensington-Arnold School District to try a new method to catch those responsible.
The district will start using an electronic hall pass system at Valley Junior-Senior High School, which then could work its way into other schools, Superintendent Chris Sefcheck said.
The problem is primarily at the high school, Sefcheck said.
At a recent meeting of the school board’s Buildings and Grounds committee, Business Manager Jeff McVey said bathroom vandalism is “a real problem,” with students tearing soap and paper towel dispensers off the walls.
They cost about $40 each, said William “Muzzy” Colosimo, who, among several other roles, is the district’s facilities and maintenance director.
Colosimo said some of the vandalism was tied to the “Devious Licks” TikTok challenge, a national social media trend that dared children to vandalize schools, most often bathrooms.
He said it has not been a problem at Martin and H.D. Berkey elementary schools, which together house kindergarten through second grades, but it has been an issue at Roy A. Hunt, housing third through sixth grades and where Colosimo said it’s all been tied to TikTok.
In response to the trend, TikTok said it was removing such content.
Colosimo said the damage is being done by certain students. “We just can’t catch them,” he said.
Sefcheck said the electronic hall pass, or e-hall pass, would be a way to track students so school officials know who goes to the bathrooms and when.
Before going to a bathroom, a student would have to apply for a pass on their tablet or phone. A teacher then would have to approve the request.
Teachers are being trained in its use, and high school students will begin using it in November, Sefcheck said.
“We’ll see how it works there,” he said.
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Brian at 724-226-4701, brittmeyer@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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October 31, 2021 at 04:01PM
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New Ken-Arnold hoping to combat bathroom vandalism with electronic hall pass - TribLIVE
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