School board approves new aquatic complex
–Paso Robles School Board approves plans for a $5.7 million aquatic complex at Paso Robles High School. The vote was 6-1 with Chris Bausch casting the lone dissenting vote. Bausch supports the pool, but has concerns about rushing the project. He was also concerned about legal questions regarding Measure M revenue.
The district needs to raise $750,000 by April 9th to pay for changing rooms, restrooms and a classroom. Superintendent Chris Williams is soliciting donations on radio station ESPN 940 in Fresno. About two dozen swimmers and their parents showed up for the meeting. For more information about the aquatic complex, you are encouraged to go to their website, swimpaso.org.
The school board also got a report for an auditing firm from Fresno. Trustee Field Gibson called the dramatic decline in revenue and reserve “alarming.” The reserve has dropped from 10 to 4% in the last two years. The district has operated at a $1.9 million deficit for two years. Citizen Dale Gustin, a retired attorney, blamed the drop in reserves on the 83% increase in administrators at the district.
Also contributing to the deficit, was the misreported Average Daily Attendance, so the state withheld about $1 million to offset the previous overpayment. Regardless, groundbreaking for the aquatic complex is scheduled for April 9.
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