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Antigo board forms task force to try to keep Clara R. McKenna Aquatic Center open
Summary
After hours of public testimony about the pool’s community uses and budget shortfalls, the Antigo school board created a district‑led task force of board members, former pool‑board members and foundation representatives to pursue fundraising, operational options and short‑term measures that will keep the facility running through May 1.
The Unified School District of Antigo board voted Tuesday to form a district‑led task force aimed at keeping the Clara R. McKenna Aquatic Center operating while the district and community explore longer‑term funding and governance options.
Community members, students and foundation representatives packed the meeting and urged the board to collaborate rather than close the pool. Mary Joe Filbrandt told trustees “do not take action tonight” and asked the board to “sit down with a group of us and really focus on how we can solve this situation,” citing existing grant opportunities and a large benefactor who is willing to help. Student speakers described the pool as essential to youth well‑being and extracurricular development; Alina Zach said closing the pool would “take that purpose away from me and so many other young people of Antigo.”
Administration said the pool is organized as a Fund 80 community program, which limits the district’s ability to use regular education (Fund 10) dollars for community costs. Corporate counsel and business staff explained there is a structural gap in the Fund 80 budget; administration cited roughly a $141,000 shortfall this year and said revenue streams (levy support, admissions, rentals and donations) are insufficient without additional contributions or expense reductions. The district also reported the YMCA agreed to continue operations through May 1 to allow time for planning and fundraising.
To respond, the board approved a task force consisting of three school board members, three former aquatic‑board members and three community‑foundation members, with invitations extended to the city mayor, the Langlade County board chair and the swim‑club president. The task force will be chaired by a school‑board member and will meet publicly with posted agendas and minutes. Board members said the group should evaluate options including continued YMCA contracting, hiring Fund‑80 staff or transferring operations to a nonprofit while preserving district access for school programs.
Board members and speakers emphasized urgency: trustees noted limited fund balance, immediate maintenance needs and the May 1 operational timeline. The board did not approve any immediate large expenditure at the meeting; instead, members asked the task force to gather financial quotes, donor commitments and maintenance plans for consideration at future meetings.
What’s next: the newly formed task force will schedule its first meeting and report back to the board with options and recommended next steps.
