By Siena Houk, Staff Writer
River Hill’s bathrooms are a popular spot to congregate with friends in between classes. Some students have been abusing the ability to freely use the bathroom. Admin at River Hill have recently taken some measures to hopefully prevent this by implementing a “pay to go” policy of $10 to enter the bathroom. This has caused an uproar with students who disagree with this restriction.
Many students are quite upset with the new rule. Sophomore Jamie Frizzle says, “I can’t believe they cut off the bathrooms from us. I’m a broke man, I don’t have the money for that. $10 could buy me a few bottles of Prime. It isn’t fair that I am being punished for others’ mistakes.” Jamie believes that this is “a waste of money” and he could spend his share on much more important things, like energy drinks. Prime is a very well-known energy drink that is very popular at the moment.
Some students have been saying that they like this new rule. Freshman Greg Heffly explains, “Since I’m pretty rich I get to waste my parent’s money on this. It’s pretty cool I guess. I’ve been trying to get back at them for 3 days because they won’t take the training wheels off my 3rd helicopter. They are making me look so uncool to my friends.” As a result of this he has “been taking multiple trips to the bathroom and watching the money in his account go down. My teachers now believe that I have bowel problems.”
The process of getting the money has been quite easy and accessible. Admin placed a paper with a QR code on it that students have to scan upon entry. A message will pop up on your phone after scanning, asking for confirmation for your purchase. The door will start glowing bright green when processing the payment being made, and once it’s done the 14 locks begin unlocking. You are given a 2-minute timer to use the bathroom then they lock from the outside, keeping you from leaving. In order to get out you have to write a 1 page essay on time management. The school bell is unable to dismiss you, leaving the essay to be your only option.
Overall, many students think that they shouldn’t have to pay to get into the bathroom because it is expensive and a human right. This news has caused a surge of students to be very unhappy and has caused many accidents in class in protest.