Renton Schools budget discussion draws crowd to save Lindbergh Pool

Although about 200 people attended the Lindbergh High School budget discussion Thursday night, about half went to stop the district from closing the Lindbergh pool.

"You can see all the passion," said Randy Bergquist, father of a Kentridge swimmer. "It's been a wonderful fixture in our community for 40 years."

While the Renton School District faces a $6.1 million budget gap, which could lead to about 35 teacher layoffs, the pool remains at the center of concern for many.

Thursday's was the second of three meetings to discuss ideas for cuts and increasing revenue.

"We've been pleased with the turnout," said School Board president Lynn Desmarais. "It says a lot about the Renton community."

Each of the five School Board members roamed the crowd, listening to comments. The district's top administrators listened in and led roundtable conversations.

Most people focused on what programs they didn't want cut, Desmarais said.

"We're in a crisis statewide financially," she said. "It's devastating."

The pool is as much of a concern for its swim teams as it is for community members who use it for exercise.

"I have a really big concern for the elderly who are disabled," said Lindbergh parent Geri Garl, adding that the district's second pool at Hazen High School doesn't have disability access.

Before splitting into discussion groups, a community member shouted that if he is going to pay for school levies, it's only right the district keep the pool open.

King County built the pool about 40 years ago, after leasing the land from the school district.

After the land was annexed to the City of Renton in 2008, the county released the pool to the district, giving the city money to keep it open for two years.

Since, the district has been paying for the pool with about $300,000 in fees and an additional $175,000 from the city. However, money from the county runs dry this year.

"They've known for two years this was coming," Bergquist said.

Not everyone at the meeting was asking for money from the district's lean budget.

"I'm proposing they look for additional funds from outside sources," said parent Lisa DePriest.

The district is looking for funding from additional organizations, including the Kent School District, whose Kentridge team practices at Lindbergh, said spokesperson Randy Matheson during a presentation.

The district is also asking for proposals from private companies to take over the pool, he said.

Increasing pool fees was among the proposals.

"People are telling us they're willing to pay more in fees," Desmarais said, referring to all the round table discussions.

Lindbergh's pool fees were substantially reduced to meet Hazen's numbers in 2008, said Bryce Jensen, pool supervisor.

If the district closes Lindbergh, then all three of its high schools will practice at Hazen.

At a Hazen budget meeting earlier that week, no one showed concern for the Lindbergh pool, said Matheson.

"If we have to bus to Hazen, we'll lose so many people on our swim team," said Lindbergh varsity swimmer Krista Waffle. "It's kind of a big deal."

Contact Renton Reporter Staff Writer Celeste Gracey at cgracey@rentonreporter.com or 425-255-3484, ext. 5052.

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