Independence High School struggles with littering issues

Students and teachers at Independence High School are worried about the amount of litter in their school. They say that garbage is often found on lockers, in hallways, and in corners. Items like water bottles, wrappers, and leftover food are common sights. Teachers blame students for the mess and say they should show more respect for the school. Mackenzie Parks, a matriculation coach at the school, says it’s frustrating to see trash everywhere during her hall duty. She spends her time picking up litter instead of helping students. Parks believes there are enough janitors at the school, but not enough trash cans for students to use. There are five custodians at Independence High School, according to Jonathan Schirg from Columbus City Schools. Some students think the school is not cleaned frequently enough. Izaiah Cooper-Neff, a 15-year-old sophomore, thinks students need to take responsibility and clean up after themselves. Maurice Woods, Chief Operating Officer for Columbus City Schools, says maintenance checks are done regularly. Cassie Harper, a school counselor, mentioned that a dirty environment can affect students' emotions. It can make them feel disappointed, fearful, or even angry when walking through the halls. Daniel Parks, a 16-year-old junior, echoed these feelings, saying that students can feel anxious and distracted in a cluttered space.