School Requests Assistance from Rec Board for Pool Fees

The Park County District 6 School Board is hoping that a little help from a local organization will keep the school’s agreement with the Cody Rec Center at its current level.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, Trustees voted to draft a formal letter to the Shoshone Rec District requesting a contribution of $15,250 towards the School District’s fees for the use of the pool at the Paul Stock Aquatics and Recreation Center.

Currently the School District pays $40,250 per year to the City for use of the facility for the swim team and other school activities. Because the state has directed all school districts to make significant cuts, the money paid to the City has become a talking point for the board.

Tom Keegan, a School Board member and a member of the Shoshone Rec District Board, pointed out that the City has only been able to itemize $20,000 in billing items for the use of the pool by the swim team. Although he says he supports the Rec Center, it doesn’t make sense for the school to pay double what the City can show actual dollars are spent.

Trustee Jenni Rosencranse pointed out that she would like to see the City further analyze the cost of the school district’s use of all the facilities owned by the City, not just the pool, because the $40,000 that the school district currently pays goes to the City’s general fund, which is what the pool costs are paid out of. She said that she would like to see if the true cost of the school’s use of all the City facilities comes closer to the amount that the district has been paying.

Keegan added that he believes the Shoshone Rec Board is in favor of contributing the extra $15 thousand dollars in the coming budget year.