School Board Chair Defends Building Pool in New H.S.

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Despite opposition from some residents, Chairman At-Large Milt Johns voiced support for the building of an indoor swimming pool within the 12th high school during Wednesday’s School Board meeting.

Johns asked that staff investigate the incremental costs of running the pool, but also presented several reasons why he was in favor of building the facility.

While opposition against the pool has increased in recent months by residents, Johns chose his "Board Matters" time to voice his support for the construction of the pool.

“Thousands and thousands of students swim in Prince William County,” Johns said.

Students who swim year-round use two county facilities: Chinn Aquatic Center in Lake Ridge or The Freedom Center in Manassas. Johns said he knows from his own daughter’s practice that the Freedom Center is often so booked that they must schedule high school swim team practices at 4 a.m.

He said an investment in a school-run pool could bring in money because the schools could charge when outside groups use the facility.

He further cited Title IX, saying that “a swimming pool doesn’t look different for boys and girls,” that in fact more females tend to swim than males at the high school level.

He said the pool could also serve the disabled population, since those individuals might utilize the pool even if they cannot play field sports.

He also indicated the use of external facilities costs the schools money, implying that keeping students within school-based facilities would offset those costs and save money for the schools.

“I wanted to go on the record early saying that it’s a good idea,” said Johns, who added, “The cost is not as high as one would think.”

Parent and local blogger Kim Simons spoke out against the building of the pool during "Citizens Time," saying, “We don’t need a pool in our schools.”

While Simons pointed out that a pool would be a nice addition, she said it was an inappropriate use of funds when class sizes were the highest in the state and teachers have not gotten raises in past years.

On PWC Education Reform Blog, she voiced her concerns. Simons said she has fond memories of swimming, but said it is not a n essential resource that should be considered in these tight economic times.

“Our schools’ core function is teaching our children to read, write, and do math,” Simons said.

She acknowledges that Arlington County has a pool in one of its high schools; however, that district is hardly comparable since it spends $8,000 more per student than Prince William County spends.

Simons' sentiments were echoed on the OurSchools Facebook page, and on comments  on Bristow Beat’s Facebook page.

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