This week the Foothills School Division authorized just over $260,000 to make private washrooms more accessible to students across division. Assistant Superintendent of Corporate Services Drew Chipman says currently students have access private washrooms, but the upgrades will make things easier for both staff and students.

"We've had conversations with our principals, and they've assured us that when students need private washroom facilities that they make them available. Usually staff washrooms, and those are the types of changes that we're suggesting in a lot of cases, is to modify current staff washrooms that can be used for those individuals that need private washrooms as well as staff. So, we think that it's kind of a win-win."

Chipman says the changes will help students feel more comfortable for a variety of reasons.

"It's not necessarily a gender issue. It could be for a number of reasons. It could be for an individual that's shy, an individual that doesn't feel comfortable in those circumstances. Different students have different needs and this is just one way of helping meet those requirements."

He says one change will be allowing those outside the bathroom to see if it is occupied or vacant.

"We plan on putting, for example when they lock the door, it'll say occupied or unoccupied. So those types of things will just make it easier on people using those spaces. People will be able to understand how available they are without having interactions that they may not be comfortable with."

Chipman says the bulk of the changes should be completed by the end of the year.