I am currently a high school student and the Juanita pool was where I learned to swim. It’s where I went every Tuesday and Thursday night for about three years of my life. That being said, I believe it is a horrible thing that the Lake Washington School District could shut down our pool. Why are they doing this? Because the up-keep is too much. Meanwhile, they are pumping all kinds of money into other schools in our District. Redmond has a new building, Mt. Si has two full tracks, and what does Juanita have? Our pool.

This is more than just a question of “where do we swim in the summer?” or “Where are our children going to learn how to swim?” The pool is what sets us apart from any other school in the district and it is in danger of being taken away.

Another issue is practicality. With the recent shutting down of the St. Ed’s pool, and the prospect of shutting down the Juanita pool, the only other pool to practice at is the Bothell pool that is already used by Bothell and Woodinville high schools. Is it really worth cramming three schools into the same pool just so the District can save a little money. I don’t believe so.

If the District needs more money, they should find other, more piratical things to cut back on.

Lani Pruett, Kirkland