Warren Township High School District 121 trustees on Nov. 11 reviewed detailed options and cost estimates for the district’s year‑round pool and signaled support for replacing pool ventilation equipment as a near‑term step.

Superintendent Dr. Danny Wiesman and facilities staff described three scenarios with 10‑year financial projections: (A) a full commitment that includes air‑handler replacement and ongoing structural maintenance with internal estimates of $7 million to $9 million; (B) maintain‑until‑failure with a planning threshold (example $2 million) and potential redesign costs that could push the 10‑year exposure to $11 million–$13 million; and (C) a planned phase‑out and redesign estimated at $8 million–$10 million. Staff said a Dectron ventilation unit alone is roughly $600,000 and that a working estimate for the full air‑handler replacement and rooftop relocation has been discussed in the $600,000–$800,000 range.

Community speakers, including swim‑club leaders and former coaches, urged the board to preserve and invest in the pool because of its year‑round use (club practices, PE classes and varsity programs), lifeguard and job training, and public‑safety benefits. Karen Beaman, president of the Blue Devil Swim Club, said the club rents the pool nearly six days a week and described about 1,700 student uses and a 150‑member team.

Board members asked technical questions about reported water loss (a math discrepancy in a memo—15,000 vs. 1,500 gallons per day), requested a water‑tightness test, and heard from facilities and HVAC consultants that improper airflow and an outdated air handler can increase evaporation and chloramine buildup in the air. Several members said correcting ventilation is the industry standard for addressing air‑quality complaints in pools and asked staff to seek bids.

Facilities staff said to complete an air‑handler replacement for summer work the board would likely need to decide within about one month; trustees asked for a procurement and timeline update at the December meeting. No final funding action was taken; staff explained capital needs could be managed within the district’s routine levy/O&M transfers and by reprioritizing upcoming projects or seeking community partnerships and fundraising.

The board did not vote to commit to one of the three long‑term scenarios at the Nov. 11 meeting but asked administration to return with specific bid and timeline information and to engage community partners that use the facility.