Schools

District 228 Officials Talk Pool Repairs And Balancing the FY2012 Budget

District officials announced at a regular board meeting Tuesday that the schools' four pools could reopen next week, pending inspection by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

There is now a light at the end of the tunnel for 's state-mandated pool repairs.

All four of the district's high schools had the necessary drains and covers in place as of Tuesday, said Schools Superintendent Bill Kendall during the district's regular board meeting. All are scheduled to be inspected today by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

were a result of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, which states that all pool and spa drains must comply with anti-entrapment regulations for safety. The act stems from the 2002 drowning death of 7-year-old Virginia Graeme Baker. Her hair was sucked into a hot tub's drain system and she wasn't able to free herself.

Find out what's happening in Oak Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

began Oct. 12, and cost the district $53,270, officials have said.

Kendall said Tuesday that the pool at is expected to re-open Oct. 24. The pools at and still need a few finishing touches, but should open the following day, Oct. 25. That leaves the pool, which is expected to re-open Oct. 26 when the cement and paint dries.

Find out what's happening in Oak Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

More Budget Talks

Balancing the budget was front and center, once again, at Tuesday's regular school board meeting.

Discussion dovetailed from the district's Sept. 20 approval of the budget for Fiscal Year 2012, which included a $5 million shortfall. The district's fiscal year runs from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. The board also approved the transfer of $1 million from its education fund to its buildings and maintenance fund.

“It's to cover the necessary operating funds for this fiscal year,” said Tom O'Malley, the district's assistant superintendent. “Our budget projects that we were going to run short in that particular fund.”

The money is not earmarked for anything specific O'Malley said, but is necessary to cover routine expenses. He also said that the money had nothing to do with the district's recent swimming pool repairs.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here