March 31, 2010

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Letter to Community
Lindbergh Pool's Final Push for Funds
Meeting Tonight for Funds, Volunteers

Cost savings and revenue generating ideas were explored and prioritized at the March 16
meeting focused on saving the Lindbergh Pool.

Lindbergh Pool Supporters have moved into fundraising mode to save the future of the pool, holding its third meeting in the last two months. This time, the plan has moved from searching for solutions to searching for the final funding.

Over 150 supporters first attended a Renton School District Community meeting February 25. While the District was focused on finding ways to fill a $6.1 million gap independent of the pool deficit, pool supporters wanted the District to hear that the pool was a critical issue that needed to be addressed.

The District responded with a second special meeting on March 16, focused only on bridging the $175,000 gap needed to keep the pool open. Over 100 people again attended, and they spent the next two hours searching for the best solutions to raising revenue and cutting costs. A few of the most popular recommendations included leaner staffing levels responsive to crowd attendence patterns, lowering the pool temperature slightly, raising fees, and searching for advertising revenue, perhaps even renaming the pool with a commercial sponsor's name.

In less than a month, the money now needed is $60,000, and the deadline for obtaining those funds is June 30. Tonight's meeting is focused on individual contributions and volunteer assistance, so all are asked to dig deep and step up to volunteer to save the pool.

Lindbergh Pool Supporters meet to search for funding solutions at a March 16 meeting.

Letter to the Community
Below is a letter from Community Leader and Passionate Pool Supporter Carrie Wong.

To All Community Members:

The Lindbergh Pool, located next to Lindbergh High School, is a very important part of our community.  It is utilized by seven different swim teams, and people living in the City of Renton, Fairwood community, unincorporated King County, Kent neighborhoods, and Kentridge High School.  Unfortunately, due to budget cuts and restraints, the pool is in danger of being closed for the 2010 - 2011 school year.  Closure of the pool would have far-reaching effects, and will especially impact the Hazen pool, since it is the nearest indoor pool in the Renton area.

Community members are working with the school district and the City of Renton to raise funding to keep the Lindbergh Pool open for the coming school year.  Please see the "Save the Pool" website at http://www.bensonhill.com.

So far, the district has identified operational costs that will be cut, and will increase the fees to make up some of the needed funding.  Additionally, the City of Renton has pledged $40,000 to the efforts.

Now it’s the community’s turn:  We need to raise $60,000 by June 30, 2010, to keep the pool open through the 2010-2011 school year.  There are enough individual pool users, coupled with swim teams, that If each of us donates $100-$200, we can raise the needed funding immediately!

You are invited to attend the next "Save the Pool" meeting, on Wednesday, April 14, 7:00 pm, at the Vantage Glen Clubhouse (on 108th, across the street from Fred Meyer/Shell Gas Station), to help with this effort, and to plan more fundraising events to Save the Pool. 

Except for Spring Break, a pool meeting is scheduled every Wednesday, same time, same place, until further notice.

We will continue to accept donations at these meetings, and deliver them to the district the next day.  We will also have pledge cards and return envelopes available at the next meeting, for anyone who can go out and seek donations from businesses, community members, neighbors, etc. 

You can bring a check for $100-$200, or any amount you are able to donate.  Checks should be made payable to “Renton School District-Lindbergh Pool”.  [No cash please.  Cash donations may be made directly with the school district's business office.]  All donations made in this manner (written directly to the school district) are tax-deductible. 

Coach Roger Miron (Lindbergh's swim team coach) and I will personally deliver all checks to the school district.  If, for some reason, the district is unable to open the pool, the donations will be fully refunded.

There will also be three tiers of pledging available:

   $100     -  Sprint Team
   $500     -  Distance Team
   $1,000  -  Marathon Team

If you are unable to donate directly, please ask a business, friend, or family member, if they would like to pledge one of these amounts to help save the pool!

Please also check with your employer for matching funds!

Donations may be sent directly to:

   Renton School District
   c/o Rich Moore, Business Office
   300 SW 7th Street
   Renton, WA   98057

Donations may also be made on-line at the district website.  See below for on-line instructions.

Together, we can save the pool and keep it open for our children and the community.

Hope to see you at Wednesday night's meeting!

Carrie Wong

Here are instructions for community members to make donations on behalf of the Lindbergh Pool:

1.        Log onto the Renton School District Website:     http://www.rentonschools.us/Home.aspx
2.       Go To:                  Parent Resources
3.       Go to:                   Online Payments
4.       Select:                 “Enter Touchbase as a guest user”
5.       Select:                  “School Shop”
6.       Select:                  Lindbergh Pool Donations   (the first option)
7.       Enter:                    Amount you wish to contribute
8.       Enter:                    Your Name/Address in the comment area
9.       Select:                  “Add to Cart” option
10.   Select:                  “Add Selected products to cart”
11.   Review:                Option to view your cart
12.   Finish:                   Continue with check out option to complete the transaction

Please let me know if you need additional information or instructions.

Tracy Patterson
Business Manager
Renton School District #403
425-204-2394
tracy.patterson@rentonschools.us