The F-Wing men’s bathroom has been closed and bolted shut since late March, sparking rumors and confusion in the hallways. While students feel that the school has not taken action, administration has a different story.

“The F-Wing multi-use lavatory is repaired but will remain closed until next year. Meanwhile, supervision of all lavatories and common spaces has increased for the fourth quarter, based on security data,” Principal Lee Panagoulias said.

The restroom in late March saw an episode of vandalism and destruction, far more than the routine amount that happens daily.

Joseph Martone, one of the BHS janitors, explained what prompted its initial close.

“[The students] destroyed most of the soap and paper towel dispensers, covered the walls with graffiti, and clogged the toilets,” he recounted. “They completely wrecked the floors and wrote inappropriate words everywhere.”

While the administration treats the damage as a simple case of vandalism, the student body remains divided on the issue regarding what truly transpired behind those locked doors.

For some students, the closure of the bathrooms is not high on their list of concerns. For some, it’s perceived less as a security measure and more as a way to prevent more incidents or issues.

“It was easily the worst place in the school – you literally didn’t want to go in there,” said a ninth-grader who did not want his name published. “It was a magnet for vaping, phones, and chaos. There were holes punched in the walls, and trash shoved down the toilets. It was mostly the same group of upperclassmen; people would try to offer you vapes.”

While many students simply ignore the chaos and continue on their day, which is the main opinion for most students, others have decided to speak up, sharing their own thoughts.

“I feel they should open the restroom and be more aware that there are kids who have to use the bathroom and can’t wait for the single-use stall,” said junior Esteban Romero.