Natatorium means money down the drain

Having just graduated from Cape Henlopen High School last year, I know the issues of a growing population and high school expansion are quite clear and necessary to keep up with student population growth. Moving the district office to allow this and consolidating a brand-new one with a bus facility is efficient planning long term. This is essential to maintain smaller class sizes and retain quality teachers, to whom I owe in large part the amazing education I received during my two years at Cape Henlopen High School as a transfer student. 

At issue is the $36 million natatorium along with the additional baggage of maintenance expenses. This goes against the district's reputation for efficient financial planning and utilization of resources. Out of 6,587 district students, 70 are part of the swim teams, which the district argues need a state-of-the-art natatorium they would only use during swim season. Although the goal has been presented to allow all students to learn how to swim, this is not essential in any way to a quality education. The fact is that nearly all students will likely not see any improvement in their education by having a natatorium, unless they make the ability to swim a requirement for graduation. With that issue considered, the plan to make revenue lacks any comprehensive plan for such a price tag. 

Should we take the word that 90 people on a waitlist at Sussex Academy would drive to the new natatorium? And is there a demand among groups to pay for use on the weekends for events? We should instead base this on clearer data showing a demand for all the revenue opportunities being told, without us having to take them at their word. Beyond the concern of there being no comprehensiveness, there likewise has been none for why exactly the natatorium is essential. Cape's swim teams have placed well and successfully in swimming competitions and championships without a natatorium. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. 

Let's not lose sight that our region is desirable thanks to its reputation of being efficient while maintaining fiscal responsibility and low taxes. This is why many are choosing to move here, and our student population continues to grow each year. This is all achieved by being responsible with spending efficiently on the essentials of a great quality education and not on what is nonessential. Such an expense is not worth the cost given how changes in education will be unnoticeable to nearly all students besides those on the swim teams. With the information presented, this can be better spent elsewhere, especially if we continue to grow further long term. 

Yes, the situation regarding the district office and expansion of Cape Henlopen, maintaining our quality education and strains placed on the budget has to be taken care of. It's an essential priority, but the natatorium is not. Let's not lose sight of this. Send the budget back and get this done right.