Fallbrook trustees direct staff to explore pool funding options, including possible bond and foundation support

Trustees at the Fallbrook Union High School District meeting on Oct. 15 asked district staff to continue pursuing options to repair or replace the high school pool and to bring further information back to the board.

Trustee Paul Christensen raised the issue, saying the pool needed attention and the district should keep exploring funding avenues including state resources, donors and other possibilities. "If there's any chance that we can do something with the pool in the near future or further future at some point, it's going to have to be done," Christensen said.

Superintendent Ilse Garza Gonzalez offered to place an informational discussion item on a possible bond proposal, stating, "May I suggest to the board... if at the next board meeting you would like me to place as an informational discussion item, a bond for $20.26 as a possibility for funding the pool?" The transcript records the superintendent's phrasing but does not clarify the units or whether that figure is a draft estimate; the board did not adopt a bond measure at the meeting.

Board members discussed alternatives, including outreach to the district's education foundation and continued community engagement about needs and costs. One trustee said they would prefer community dialogue rather than immediately pursuing a large bond.

The board asked administration to return to a future meeting with an informational item describing options, potential timelines and funding avenues so trustees and the public can consider next steps. No formal action or vote was taken on funding at the Oct. 15 meeting.

Clarifying details: the transcript records the superintendent proposing an informational item about a bond "for $20.26" but does not specify whether that figure refers to millions, thousands or another unit; the amount therefore remains not specified in the board record.