CHS POOL SHUTDOWN PROPOSAL SPARKS BOARD MEETING PROTESTS

The proposed shutdown of the Columbia High School pool drew protests Monday night at a special school board budget hearing, where members of the swim team and other residents urged the board not to close the facility.

Among those who spoke out were members of the girls swim team, which recently ended an undefeated 14-0 season and said losing the pool would impact their efforts as well as student classes:




District officials explained that no final decision had been made on closing the pool, although Board Member Beth Daugherty told Maplewoodian.com last week that the pool was slated to be closed.

A petition posted online opposing the shutdown has garnered more than 1,800 signatures.

Superintendent John Ramos said the final decision was still being reviewed, while Business Administrator Cheryl Schneider said that while the pool is usable it is in need of major improvements to the tune of "a couple of million dollars," adding that it is actually leaking in some areas.

See their comments below:


The board's Finance, Facilities and Technology Committee plans to review the pool situation at its meeting on Wednesday.