TikTok challenge leads to controversial bathroom policy at Pittsburgh high school

PITTSBURGH — Parents and students are fired up over the bathroom availability or lack thereof at Taylor Allderdice High School.

They’re now circulating this petition.

“Yeah, I’m getting pretty upset about it,” said one Allderdice senior who wished to remain anonymous.

This all comes after a number restrooms at the high school were vandalized and destroyed in the viral Tik Tok challenge.

“Most of the bathrooms are closed so we’re not really able to use them, and we gotta sign out to just to use the bathroom,” said the student.

Allderdice students claim the school has restricted them from standard bathroom use because a small number of their classmates damaged soap dispensers, toilets and other bathroom items.

Students told Channel 11 some of the bathrooms have been closed altogether on certain floors of the building, and security will often stand outside and monitor if they’re inside for an extended period of time.

They claim the restrictions are so bad some of their classmates are experiencing health issues.

At times they will leave the high school to utilize neighborhood businesses’ bathrooms.

TikTok challenge damages local schools

“We shouldn’t have to be doing this as high school students, just to use the bathroom.”

Pittsburgh Public Schools confirmed to Channel 11 there have been several incidents of vandalism in the restrooms throughout the year.

“The school has altered the available restrooms throughout the day to make sure that the restrooms students are using are safe and functional. While some restrooms have needed to be closed to ensure student safety, the school ensures the appropriate number of restrooms are available in line with building code.”

Students now plan to hold a protest on Monday in response to the bathroom restrictions.

They claim they’ve been warned if they take part—they will face disciplinary action.

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