Another tradition? dies in NJ

[hoosier]

The state of New Jersey made it official today, Feb 10, 2004, to stop
all school showers. The state senate gave the official statement to
the State Board of Education Director of Schools, Robert Murray. The
official reason that was given was that to many parents have been
complaining to local school officials that their children do not wish
to go into the showers at school due to peers "making remarks about
their body and/or privet parts." Previously to this action, students
were required to shower after gym class, regardless of comments made
by their peers. However, the state decided to reverse their decision
when the ACLU filed suit on behalf of those students who desire not
to take showers. The ACLU claims, in their law suit, that the right
to privacy is being violated. Since the law suit was filed, the state
of New Jersey has decided not to fight the suit since the budget gap
is at an all time high, and believe this suit has the potential of
costing the state an approximate ten million to fight in the court
system.
______ The Board of Education will notify local school boards that
those students who wish to shower after gym class may do so until the
end of the current school year. Those students who request not to
shower, will be excused.
______ Beginning in September all school showers will be closed
permanently. In addition to this action all future school
construction, including those schools under construction currently,
will not have gym showers included in the building plans.
__ Superintendent Murray stated, in a separate interview on Monday,
that the Board of Education has been experiencing difficulty with the
faculty and staff at local schools during the past three years. The
faculty and staff were required to supervise the shower rooms after
gym class. The faculty and staff has stated that they no longer wish
to monitor or supervise their student shower rooms out of fear of
false charges of molestation or voyeurism._____
_____