Parents concerned over dirty bathrooms, janitorial shortage at school

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Parents at Rancho Del Rey Middle School in Chula Vista are raising concerns about a lack of janitorial staff and the condition of the bathrooms students have been using since the start of the school year.

“There’s been no custodian and no janitor since the beginning of year,” said concerned parent, Arthur Loewy.

Which has been creating what parents describe as disgusting conditions in the bathroom at Rancho Del Rey Middle School in the Sweetwater Union High School District.

“They’re just dirty, horrible conditions that our kids are exposed to every single day, and it doesn’t appear that the school district really cares,” said concerned parent Steven Vasquez. “I have seen pictures where there is actual feces, or what appears to be feces, not just in the toilet itself, but on the floor.”

Parents say only one set of boy/girl restrooms are open for use on campus, creating long lines and adding to the filthy conditions.

“It’s bad. And so, if no one’s cleaned it since the beginning of the year, God only knows how dirty that one bathroom that they’re using for 1,707 students is,” said Loewy.

The school told FOX 5/KUSI in a statement, in part, that they are aware of the concerns and will conduct a comprehensive review of the campus environment.

In the meantime, parents like Arthur Loewy are tirelessly advocating for the health and safety of their children, so he turned to us.

“There was no other place to turn because I have reached out, and other parents as well, to every other place,” said Loewy.

Starting with the principal more than a month ago.

“…that he can’t do anything about it. It’s a district wide problem,” said Loewy.

Then a week and half ago to the superintendent’s office via email.

“I cc’d all of the governing bodies, the upper echelon of the district, and I got no answer,” added Loewy.

And this past week finally bringing it to the attention of local government, reaching out to the Mayor of Chula Vista’s Office and district council members.

“Catalina Chaves’ Office Assistant said he is going to make this a main priority.”

Loewy says he spoke to him before the holiday weekend and is hoping for an additional response by Tuesday. But until then, it’s a waiting game.

“Super frustrated. I’ve been through all the steps, and this is basically the final step. We’re hoping that once this airs that there could be some change,” said Loewy.

The school declined FOX 5/KUSI’s request for an interview.

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