I cannot believe the pool backers give no consideration to how fragile our school budget is.

This year state funding cut $630,000. Capital needs yearly fund cut $530,000. Budget gap was $707,000. A $750,000 override for textbooks, equipment replacement etc.

Presently there is not enough money in the budget to keep up the repairs, replacement and maintenance of existing buildings. Why would the district want another building?

Why would the School Board even entertain squandering our only rainy day funds, our land assets? To build a lap pool? Why would they put academic programs and the excellence in education they worked so hard to maintain in harm’s way? This aquatic center would be a severe drain yearly on the budget.

There is no evidence that having a community pool would be a priority for a family moving to a town. If that was so, I refer you to the June 18 Fountain Hills Times article “Aquatic Center.” It was reported one of the group proposing the center said, I quote, “He said he was surprised by the absence of a community pool when he moved to Fountain Hills.” Interesting a person who builds aquatic centers and is promoting one never investigated if our town had one. Maybe it’s not that important after all.

We already have a swim team called The Peak Piranhas and they are looking for kids to join. They practice at the pool in Peaks Athletic Club.

If the sale of school property was used to pay off existing bonds, then it would be easier for new bonds to be approved for the much-needed maintenance and operating expenses.

I now ask Quo-Vadis. “Where are you going?” Is the funding of the best education at our schools not more important than having a pool?