Civic participation is no stranger to Sahuaro. 

Student-led walk-outs advocating for a conference system, a discussion hall giving students the platform to talk about gun violence and so forth. But the one thing that’s haunted Sahuaro is the ongoing bathroom issue. I use the word “issue” as a blanket statement; there are many bathroom issues, ranging from a lack of toilet paper to no hand soap available. The most prominent issue facing the student body and faculty alike is allowing one bathroom per boys and one per girls. A policy implemented by administration was challenged by many, but came close to nothing. 

That is where Avery Miller, a Senior, succeeded. “The fact that I couldn’t find a place to use the bathroom and I didn’t feel like it should be necessary to have to tell administration they were slacking on their duties,” she explains.

 Which is why she took it upon herself to bring the issue to light with TUSD superintendent Dr. Trujillo. It wasn’t as easy as a process as one might think. “First I did some research, then I wrote the paper and went to Mrs. Hurley. Then I followed up with Mrs. Hammel, the superintendent of the TUSD Pantano district and finally Mr. Trujillo,” she states. The paper she’s referring to is her speech entitled, “Sahuaro Administration Undermining Health Guidelines to Keep Student Behavior in Check. Which is More Important?” where she outlines breaches in health and safety policies. In the speech, she points out that the “Occupational Health and Safety Administration requires that buildings in the U.S have one toilet seat for 20 workers. For facilities serving 20 or more people, OSHA requires one toilet seat and one urinal per 40 people. Any faculty with more than 200 people must have one toilet seat and one urinal per worker.” OSHA guidelines are to be followed by every faculty in the U.S., including Sahuaro. The question is then posed: How could our administration violate nationwide guidelines? 

On February 24th, Mr. Lundstrom sent out a faculty wide email detailing that all bathrooms were to be opened for the rest of the year and as of today, March 11th, they continue to be. Although one issue is resolved, others rise. The bottom 100 boys bathroom, as reported by Jacob Olson, is in dire conditions. Out of the 4 faucets, 1 constantly sputters water, an indication of a very needed replacement. Out of the 2 soap dispensers, 1 is out of soap. Out of the 2 hand dryers, 1 is broken. Calvin Mueller, a Senior, avoids using the restrooms at Sahuaro due to the fact that “They’re gross, and we never have toilet paper.” This attitude reflects a good chunk of the student body who refuses to use the bathroom due to sanitary issues. 

For now, the bathrooms are open, but a host of issues still stand. Civic participation has seldom failed the student body at Sahuaro, but when will administration on campus and TUSD faculty step up to their job descriptions.