Oxford schools should train some staff members in formal “Certified Pool Operation” and consider hiring a pool maintenance company to look after the high school pool.
Those were two main suggestions from a health department report issued last month after the school district received health complaints from parents and pool patrons.
Background
Swimmers complained that chemical imbalances led to deteriorating bathing-suit linings and chronic ear infections. They also complained about locker room cleanliness.
The school district requested a review from the Pomperaug Health District. Representatives visited the school on Oct. 29, and sent a letter with recommendations to the district on Nov. 23.
A copy of the report is posted below. Article continues after the document:
The Board of Education received the recommendations Tuesday evening.
The pool is used during the day by students at the high school, after school by the swim team members, and later in the evening by the town’s recreation department.
The pool is also open other times for public swims.
Some days the pool is in use for 12 hours, according to the report.
Problems
The pools has had chemical balance issues, and mechanical issues with two of the compressors.
Interim Superintendent James Connelly said Tuesday that both compressors — which were still covered under a warranty — have been replaced.
The pool has also been chemically balanced. According to the report, the cause of the latest chemical imbalance in September was a broken automated chlorination system.
The cleanliness problems were due in part because there is little time between swims for custodians to clean up. And, with only male custodians, it’s hard for them to get into the girls’ locker room to clean.
Suggestions
The health district suggested the Board of Education talk with the town recreation department to determine if the town can help pay some of the pool maintenance costs.
First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers said she met with Connelly on Monday to discuss the issues.
She said she is planning to meet with the town’s recreation director on Thursday.
“I think the recommendations are solid,” Drayton-Rogers said. “I think they, perhaps, should have been instituted earlier.”
The Pomperaug Health District suggested the schools designated a custodian and a school supervisor to become trained in National Swimming Pool Foundation pool maintenance, and take responsibility for monitoring the levels in the pool.
The health district also suggested hiring a maintenance company to provide weekly inspections of the pool, in order to stay on top of problems before they escalate.
Budget
Drayton-Rogers said the town could help pay for extra custodial staff during town-sponsered swimming events.
But she said the Board of Education should be responsible to pay for any pool maintenance training or pool cleaning company.
“My feeling is this will have some implications for the upcoming budget,” Connelly said at the board meeting Tuesday. “If we’re going to do it right.”
The district has fixed the problems for the time being, Connelly said. The board plans to discuss how to move forward with maintenance at its January meeting.
