Students at a high school in Wisconsin are upset about their district's new electronic pass system that limits the number of times a student can use the bathroom during the school day and week.
The new ePass system at Arrowhead Union High School, located in a suburb of Milwaukee, functions as an electronic hall pass that students must use to take bathroom breaks during school hours.
Students are restricted to three bathroom visits per day and seven total visits per week.
Watch: Only 7 bathroom trips per week, Arrowhead students question limits on new ePass
"I feel like this system should not have been implemented," said JP Moen, an Arrowhead student who recently addressed the school board about the issue.
Moen, a cross-country athlete, said the system penalizes him for staying hydrated for his sport.
"Say I drank a lot of water that day, and I try to go to the bathroom two periods in a row, you can't go. It's messed up," Moen said.
The system also limits how many students can check out passes simultaneously, creating additional barriers for bathroom access.
"You only get three a day and seven a week, and if you are having extenuating circumstances, it doesn't matter, you literally can't go to the bathroom," said another student, Gabi Eggers.
Student Mariela Scarpaci described how crowded conditions further complicate bathroom access.
"If there is a line, I'm just like I will wait, and I end up not going to the bathroom all day," Scarpaci said.
The Arrowhead Schools superintendent defended the ePass system in a statement, saying it "ensures safety, maximizes student learning, encourages responsibility and minimizes inappropriate behavior."
The superintendent added that the district provides accommodations to students who need extra passes or additional time.
However, Arrowhead is not alone in implementing electronic bathroom pass systems. Both Pewaukee Schools and the Waukesha School District use similar technology.
The Waukesha School District said this is its second year using the system, and that it works effectively.
After this story aired, Arrowhead Superintendent Conrad Farner reached back out to the Scripps News Group station in Milwaukee to further explain the policy. He provided the following bullet points:
- Arrowhead students have 30-40 opportunities to use the facilities each week...PLUS the passes during the class...PLUS any passes needed for emergencies/unusual circumstances. That number is similar to what other high schools provide throughout the state, especially those that use block schedules.
- The vast majority of students are not impacted by the new pass system. They have always used the facilities outside of class time and will continue to do so.
- Arrowhead students have 8 minute passing periods, allowing for ample time to use the restrooms. Most schools have passing times of 4-5 minutes. The 8 minutes have proven to be sufficient for students to use the facilities and get to class.
- All students can use the restrooms during study hall time, and it does not count against their pass limit.
- Students can use the restrooms at lunch without a pass.
- Any student taking a Physical Education class can use the restrooms at the beginning and end of that class.
- All staff can override the limits as appropriate, especially for any unusual situations or emergencies. We control the ePass system; it does not control us.
- The system actually allows students to communicate with teachers in a much more discreet manner than traditional paper passes.
- Students with specific health needs are absolutely accommodated.
- The longest an Arrowhead student ever has to go without a visit to the bathroom is 85 minutes. And they have passes available when needed to leave class.
- If a student needs more passes, we can work with the parents and students to determine how to best move forward.
- Students are not "blocked" from using the facilities; no one is going to impede a student who says they need to use the facilities, even if they have exceeded their pass limit.
- To this point, we have had zero issues of discipline in the halls and/or bathrooms, which is a significant improvement from past years.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
This story was originally published by Rebecca Klopf with the Scripps News Group in Milwaukee.
