Ever since rumors began to fly last year about what renovations would be done to our school for the 2010-2011 school year, there was one project in particular that seemed to excite everyone: new locker rooms.

We were sick of the constant stench that lingered throughout the locker rooms, the rusty orange bathroom stalls, the broken sink and the huge lack of space for everyone needing to change for their after school activities.

Needless to say, when this school year rolled around, the month long wait for the opening of the new facilities seemed like a lifetime.  Every grade level bathroom was crammed full of frantic athletes, dancers and cheerleaders, each trying to claim a space for themselves.

However, the grand opening was truly worth the wait.  Simple perks, such as towel dispensers instead of hand dryers, new, larger lockers and above all, the expanded size proved to be convenient for everyone.

But there is one feature that seemed to stick out like a sore thumb: the toilets. By no means am I an expert on the Rockwood School District bond issues, nor do I know where our budget money is spent and how much is being used for our building transformation.  

But I just cannot seem to understand why it was decided to keep the toilets from the old locker rooms and re-install them in the new facilities.  The toilets  are stained, the seats are yellowed and they just bring down the overall appearance of the locker room.

This is my last season using the locker rooms and I am grateful just to have been able to utilize these renovations. But I struggle to understand the concept of keeping these toilets. If everything else was replaced, why can’t they be upgraded, too?