May 12, 2010

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Goal: Just Over $6K Remaining, Contributions Needed
New Targets for Pool Funding
Make Goal a Possibility

Tuesday night's budget meeting for the Renton School District offered a glimmer of hope for the continued operation of the Lindbergh Pool for the next school year.

The community originally was expected to raise $60K, matching funds the City of Renton offered for next year, but that number was significantly reduced that number through creative solutions, beginning with raising fees and cutting costs.

"As agreed upon by the community and the district at the March community pool meeting, the district would look to cut costs of managing the pool and increase fees; the community would fund raise to contribute $60,000 to keep the pool open for another school year," said Community Relations Director Randy Matheson.

According to the District, $160,000 worth of fees and cost-cutting actions make the $175,000 goal a real possibility.

Three elements contributed to the $160,000 number:

• First, the District found they were able to cut administrative and operating costs by $60,000.
• Second, fees will be returned to the original rates charged when the pool was run by King County, resulting in an increase of income by an estimated $60,000. Patrons fees will increase by $2 per session at both Lindbergh and Hazen Pools.
• The final element is a $40,000 contribution by the City of Renton.

The result is that the community now needs to raise a total of $15K to keep the pool open for the next school year. To date, donations are at $8,776, just over half the needed funds.

The District notes that 46 donors have contributed to the “Save the Pool,” raising $5,820 to date. Last weekend's car wash reportedly raised $2,956 (yet to be entered into account). With those totals, the community’s remaining responsibility for the coming school year is now $6,224.

Long Term Plans
Many in attendance last night asked about long-term plans to keep the pool open. According to Matheson, "the District has had to make millions in cuts to classrooms, programs and people each year for five consecutive years because of declining state funding, we cannot add additional costs to our budget (like the pool). We must continue to require the pool to be self-sustaining, and collect enough in income and contributions to cover all costs of operating the pool. If we can make pool operations self sustainable, we can keep the pool open."

"We have a plan in place, working in partnership with the you, the community and the City of Renton, to keep the pool open for the coming school year. We are committed to continued review of operating costs to find reductions where available, and we are committed to returning to the community during next year’s budget process in our partnership to find the funding for an additional year," said Matheson.

Continue to watch FCN's Community Calendar for upcoming events (including a Swim-A-Thon this month), and our tracking ad to show funding progress on the Home Page. To make a donation to this worthwhile community resource, click that progress ad, which will take you to the District's "store" area. Read the easy directions on our ad for Save the Lindbergh Pool.