Sean C. Morgan
A committee attempting to establish a special taxing district to fund the operation of the pool at Sweet Home School is preparing the paperwork necessary to bring the proposal to the Linn County Board of Commissioners.
Currently, Rick Jones is surveying the School District 55 boundaries to establish boundaries for the proposed aquatics district, said Rebecca Wolthuis, one of the three petitioners.
The committee is aiming to put the proposal before Sweet Home area voters in 2012.
The School Board agreed during its regular meeting on Nov. 8 to cover the cost of the election in the event it fails. Otherwise, the cost of the election, approximately $1,300, would fall to the petitioners. If the new district is approved by voters, the new district will pay election costs.
The School District has announced that it can no longer fund the pool, Wolthuis told the board on behalf of the three petitioners, who include Wolthuis, Jo Ann McQueary and Scott Weld.
The district included the pool in reductions when a projected funding shortfall earlier this year required $1.1 million in cuts. After a community meeting, the district restored most of the funding for this school year with the idea that a committee would attempt to form an aquatics district. The city paid the costs, about $16,000, of keeping the pool open in July and August.
The purpose of forming the aquatics district is to support the continued operations and programs of the swimming pool and facilities.
“The impact of closing the swimming pool would affect nearly all of the community in some way or another,” the petitioners said in a letter to the board. “Most district school children currently use the pool through swimming lessons, classes, sports, conditioning, clubs, work opportunities and special needs groups.
“Our high school has a long history and reputation as being one of the most competitive swimming programs in the state, as can be seen in the number of swimming titles Sweet Home has won. We want those traditions and quality programs to continue.”
Many residents use the pool for LBCC classes, lap swims, master swimming and private and group swim lessons, they said. Groups, such as the Boys and Girls Club, 4-H, homeschoolers, Sacred Heart, the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District and other organizations, regularly use the pool.
“We have two major reservoirs in our area as well as numerous rivers and streams,” the petitioners said. “Providing opportunities for children and adults to learn to swim is vital in the prevention of accidental drowning.”
An actual petition will begin circulating within the community next summer, said District 55 Supt. Larry Horton, who serves on the aquatics district committee.