Earle School District hoping to partner with youth group to keep pool open for community

Earle School District hoping to partner with youth group to keep pool open for community

Wilde to council: ‘ We are looking at ways to expand the pool’s use and get more participation going’

news@theeveningtimes.com

Earle School District has approached the city and a local youth organization about partnering with them to keep the pool open.

State appointed Superintendent Dr. Richard Wilde told the Earle City Council that without partners to share the cost of operating the pool, the financially distressed district may have no choice but to close the pool.

“We are looking at ways to strategize to keep it open,” Wilde said. “We are getting pressure on the fiscal side to not operate a swimming pool. So we are looking at ways to expand the pool’s use and get more participation going, and at the same time keep it alive for the youth of the community.”

The state took control of the school district late last fall after audits turned up almost $2 million in improper expenditures of federal funds over the last two years.

The district is required to pay back $300,000 to the federal government that was spent on unallowable expenses for which there is no paperwork and may have to repay another $300,000 of Title 1 money. Wilde said the school district has approached the Earle Youth Association about possibly partnering with them to take over management of the pool, but would also like the city to participate. “We have just begun some introductory discussions with Earle Youth Association for a potential partnering for that site,” Wilde said. “One of the things we would like to see is for the city to be a third partner in this.”

Earle Youth Association is a non-profit organization which operates a basketball and football program. It is funded through sponsorships, donations, and runs the concession stand at the football field which it splits the proceeds of with the school.

Wilde said the school district would lease the swimming pool to the group who would then be responsible for its management.

The school district will be applying for a school fitness grant and would provide the necessary 25 percent cash match to defray its operating costs.

“That would probably generate $30,000 to $40,000,” Wilde said. “They would control the swimming pool for youth activities. We would be providing the match as part of the part- nership.”

Wilde said he would welcome the city’s participation – even if it just meant providing volunteer hours.

“We thought we would introduce this and talk more about it if the city council is interested,” Wilde said.

“I would be willing to meet with the mayor and flesh out the details. Our main point is that we are trying to ensure that we keep the pool open one more year.

The truth is – and I’m sure you are aware – operating a pool becomes costly, not just with the chemicals, but the man hours.”

Wilde said operating a swimming pool better fits with the mission of the youth association and not the school district.

“School districts are not in the business of running a community pool,” Wilde said. “But we are trying to get around that by working with the Youth Association, because at some point we are not going to be able to run a pool.”

Wilde also added that the Youth Association would become more involved in operating the football field as well.

“It gets some use now,” Wilde said. “But if we worked on it together, we can probably get a lot more use than we are currently getting.”

Councilman Kenneth Cross asked what the school district would need from the city.

“What role would the city play in regards to the pool?” Cross asked.

Wilde responded that if nothing else, the city could at least be a partner in spirit.

“It wouldn’t necessarily have to spell out that you would provide this and this,” Wilde said. “If you all volunteered, that would be a way of helping too.”

Wilde said the city would not be asked to help pay for the pool’s expenses. Grant money would cover those costs.

“We’re not necessarily seeking cash as much as seeking a commitment to help with this,” Wilde said.

Cross said he would support the city getting involved because the pool is a nice community asset.

“Lots of cities don’t have a pool,” Cross said.

Mayor Sherman Smith said he would meet with Wilde to discuss the details of a partnership.

“We understand your struggles,” Smith said.

By Mark Randall