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SYRACUSE - A close vote at Tuesday's Wawasee School Board meeting means the high school pool will reopen, probably in time for the next school year.
Wawasee will be one of a few area schools to have two pools within a corporation.
Board members voted in opposition to Superintendent Dr. Mark Stock's recommendation to close the pool indefinitely, most citing water safety training as a reason to reopen the pool.
"It's great to add on these new academic classes," board member and former teacher Mary Lou Dixon said, "but if (a child) drowns, what'll they do with the extra math?" Dixon was responding to the argument that the pool's annual upkeep amounts to a teacher's one-year salary.
Board president Dallas Winchester also cited water safety as his reason for wanting the pool reopened, adding that in the lakes area, swimming is an essential skill.
This year, Wawasee is operating with one pool and while there are complaints of cramping, long drives and scheduling difficulties, no programs were cut.
Stock, who said that using only one pool does create transportation and scheduling problems for the district's five schools, was in favor of closing the high school pool because of monetary savings. He also said the water and physical education programs could continue as they always have with one pool and that all students would get water safety training.
"It is my recommendation we close the WHS pool indefinitely, but not permanently," Stock said. In his recommendation he wrote "it is very rare to be able to save up to $30,000 in general fund and still be able to carry on current programs for students, staff and community members."
It is expected to cost about $33,000 to rehabilitate the pool and annual operating expenses run around $30,000.
In other business:
• The board approved final bids for the new high school press box and for a new roof at Syracuse Elementary School.
The press box bid was awarded to Kaser-Spraker Construction for a cost of $132,800. Kaser-Spraker's bid was about $40,000 less than another bid received. The difference in price reportedly is because of the cost of a manufactured building versus a "stick-built" building.
Syracuse Elementary's roof will cost $130,202 and City Roofing will do that work. This is $16,000 less than other bids.
• Wawasee Middle School students are district champions for the Academic Superbowl competition. Later this month, the students will travel to compete for the state title.
• A report on the formation of Wawasee Education Foundation was presented by Stock. The foundation will award grants to Wawasee teachers to buy classroom supplies and teaching materials for special lessons. This will be funded through money from the license plate fund and fundraising efforts.
