Board restores student access to aquatic center and authorizes limited use of district resources

The Unified School District of Antigo board approved restoring access to the Claire R. McKenna Aquatic Center for students, athletes, coaches and employees effective immediately, and adopted an amendment directing administration to use available resources from Fund 10 and maintenance personnel to maintain pool temperature and related operational needs.

The amendment was proposed to ensure basic operational stability (temperature, maintenance) and to address immediate safety concerns. A member moved that "the administration will use all the resources available to them, financial from Fund 10 and maintenance personnel to maintain the pool temperatures." Debate centered on whether redirecting Fund 10 resources would contravene an earlier March motion restricting such uses and on the broader priorities of spending for building maintenance and classroom functions.

After procedural discussion about whether rescinding the March motion was required, the board voted on the amendment and it passed 5–4. That amendment then became the main motion on the floor; the board voted to restore student/staff access under the revised terms, also 5–4. Members who opposed the amendment said they favored educational spending priorities and a longer-term plan; supporters said the change was necessary to allow the swim team and other student activities to continue.

Staff and legal counsel warned that hiring lifeguards and other operational steps would need to follow legal and DPI guidance to avoid misuse of educational funds. The board also discussed interim logistics for the swim team (transportation to another district and coordination with Tomahawk) and committee-level estimates for operating costs.