CUSD offers further update on pool status
CALEXICO — The Margarita De Necochea Bulldog Aquatic Center will not close because of a lack of funding but limit operations to the smaller recreational pool owing to a potential black algae issue with the larger competition pool. The pool contractor is scheduled to conduct an assessment of the condition this week and perform a complete abatement remarked Calexico Unified School District Superintendent Maria Ambriz in an email on Monday. “It has not been officially determined that the large pool has algae,” said Ambriz. “The pool contractor is scheduled to be here Thursday and it will be determined then what the situation is and what the next course of action will be.”
CUSD now has a budget that has been certified by county officials as a positive budget. Even though it is a positive one, CUSD will continue to adhere to sound fiscal policies particularly as they acknowledge California’s state budget for education could decrease the next couple of years, stressed Ambriz.
The pool is under the direction and the maintenance of CUSD. Yet the pool was intended to be a joint venture between the city of Calexico and CUSD, as had been with the prior pool but that had not been the situation since last year’s grand opening. The school district was informed by the city that owing to the city’s dire financial situation it could not support pool activities and/ or maintenance at the time. And still, City Manager Armando Villa has kept a positive working relationship with CUSD during the prior year.
“I am not aware of there having been a fall- ing out between the city and CUSD, especially as it relates to the pool,” said Ambriz. “Then- Mayor Castro was a strong advocate for the pool and having it open and available for the public as much as possible. At the time they stated that although the city could not contribute financially to the ongoing activities and maintenance of the pool, they were committed to assisting with securing funding resources through grants to help support the pool.”
The superintendent added, she finds Councilman Hodge’s comment very encouraging particularly as they relate to a cooperative relationship between the city and CUSD with regards to the pool. CUSD would like to keep the pool open through August and longer through the year if it were fiscally possible.
“Although the city of Calexico has yet to approach CUSD to help with the ongoing maintenance of the pool, CUSD welcomes the collaborative effort and municipal funds to support the pool in an ongoing manner,” she said.