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Parent urges district to preserve pool, expand programming and offer lifeguard training for credit
Summary
A Warren parent and Blue Devil Swim Club president told the board the high school pool is a vital community resource and urged the district to restore pre-COVID programming and consider offering a lifeguarding class for gym credit to build a local lifeguard pipeline.
Karen Beaman, a parent and president of the Blue Devil Swim Club, addressed the Warren Township High School District 121 board during public comment Tuesday to urge continued support for the district's pool and to propose expanded programming to address lifeguard shortages.
Beaman, who identified herself as the parent of students in the classes of 2027, 2029 and 2031 and as the swim-club president, said club registration has rebounded to pre-COVID levels with 137 registered swimmers and increased regional qualifying times. "The pool to us is more than just a facility. It's a vital resource that brings people together and fosters a sense of community," she said.
Beaman asked the district to consider restoring swim gym classes, which she said have not run for two years, and suggested a program modeled on nearby districts such as Libertyville and Mundelein that offer a lifeguarding class for gym credit. That approach, she said, could help create a sustainable pipeline of student lifeguards who could work for the district or be hired by local pools and parks.
The board thanked Beaman for her remarks and noted a meeting of a district-led group related to pool programming was scheduled in the coming weeks; Superintendent and staff members confirmed they would continue the conversation.
No formal action was taken; the remarks were made during the public-comment period and will inform future staff discussions about programming and staffing.
