BROOKFIELD, Conn. — A Connecticut high school makes national news because of a vandalism incident. Someone ripped off a newly installed tampon dispenser in a boy's bathroom at Brookfield High School.
The principal at Brookfield High School says this isn’t the first time there’s been vandalism in the bathroom. There have been broken stall doors, soap dispensers, and other items stuffed in the toilet, but he said it is the most egregious example.
Just 20 minutes after this tampon dispenser was installed in the boy's room of Brookfield High School it was ripped from the wall.
“They already have the nurse's bathroom and they have an all-gender one so I don’t really care. But it’s just not that big of a deal,” remarked Brookfield High School student Allister Gall.
He said he thinks there are more important things to talk about than bathroom vandalism. “We’ve been doing that for like the past three years. I just feel like it’s kind of getting blown out of proportion,” said Gall.
Brookfield High Principal Marc Balanda sent this message to students and staff saying he was, “disheartened, dismayed, and disgusted.”
But there are others, including state lawmakers who are disgusted the dispensers were put up at all.
“Rather than debate this policy I’ll just simply say that I don’t approve of it. I don’t believe it’s good public policy. The constituents in my district have expressed their dismay over it,” remarked Republican State Sen. Rob Sampson during a legislative floor debate on the bill.
The installation of tampon dispensers is the result of a new state law passed on the final night of a legislative session. The law states boards of education, “shall provide free menstrual products…in women’s restrooms, all-gender restrooms and at least one men’s restroom.”
The law was put in place to accommodate transgender and intersex students and to address what the state Department of Public Health calls ‘period poverty’ and the struggle of families to purchase menstrual products.
The State Department of Education said in a statement, “Having open dialogue in the school community can help everyone understand the law, ensure a school environment where everyone is respected, and all students are supported.”
But some on the other side think it’s another example of injecting controversial ideology into education. “This quickly became a big issue in my district. It was all over social media and people commenting and raising concerns,” added State Sen. Sampson.
Brookfield Police officers also showed up at the school Friday out of concern for student safety. The principal says the school will re-install the tampon dispenser and he believes he knows who is responsible.
---
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.