District 300 hears first read on city pool proposal

The consensus among Du Quoin Board of Education members Thursday was that they would like to contribute $125,000 over three or four years to the City of Du Quoin's municipal swimming pool renovation. but can't.

"We just don't have the money," said board member Dennis Cole as the board labored with the written request from Du Quoin Mayor Guy Alongi for help. "That would get us three entry level teachers," he continued."We are not a 'for profit' group." Board president Larry Valier chimed in by saying, "I'm like Dennis. I don't see it in any way." He added that even to run funding from the half cent sales tax collected to pay off the new high school would leave a suspect paper trail. Alongi is trying to piece together $300,000 to renovate the Du Quoin pool and argues that because the pool is used by the Swimming Indians and district children it behooves the schools to contribute.

It will be interesting to see how the district's request to the city to curb East South Street and upgrade Olive Street to the baseball field goes.

Supt. Gary Kelly said, "You always try and come together. You have to look at things through the community's perspective. This is something for you to digest," he said as the matter was tabled.