The Wallingford-Swarthmore School District has approved schematic designs for a Strath Haven High School renovation that includes gender-neutral bathroom facilities. The project is part of a larger construction effort estimated to cost approximately $76 million, according to plans presented to the local school board. Architectural drawings show proposed universal toilet rooms on all four floors of the building, replacing existing gendered bathrooms with larger individual stalls and shared sink areas.
The district's student newspaper, The Panther Press, reported that the design aims to enhance student privacy, safety, and supervision. Mike Kelly, the architect for the plan at Kelly Clough Baker and Associates, stated that the new layout would allow cameras inside the bathroom areas while keeping individual stalls completely walled off and hidden from view. Kelly told the student outlet that this configuration assists administration in controlling the space and addressing loitering. "We've seen this in a lot of schools really cutting down on behavior issues that happen in restrooms," Kelly said.
A district spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the design was selected to improve privacy and supervision. The spokesperson noted that each student will have access to an acoustically separated, fully enclosed private toilet room. "This design was selected to enhance student privacy, safety and supervision," the spokesperson said. The district explained that these rooms will feature floor-to-ceiling walls and doors, providing a level of privacy that exceeds traditional school restroom configurations.
Security features in the proposed design include vape detection technology and fire alarm devices in each room. Cameras will monitor entry and exit areas outside the bathrooms to provide enhanced supervision while maintaining privacy within the individual stalls. A separate faculty toilet will also be included, accessible only from the hallway. The district noted that some traditional restroom layouts in the existing school will remain in place.
The Wallingford-Swarthmore Board of School Directors recently approved the schematic design as part of the broader renovation project. The approved project budget is capped at $70 million, with most funding dedicated to upgrading and renovating the existing school's infrastructure. The renovation also includes new science classrooms and expanded academic space. The district stated that additional details on costs and budget allocations are available in its publicly posted schematic design presentation.