At Tuesday evening’s Board of Education meeting, the board’s Athletics committee is expected to present an option for a swim team at Verona High School.
Although indoor swimming resources are already stretched thin in this area, the current proposal allows for practices three days a week at the Caldwell Community Center, two coaches, bussing for away meets and meet officials. The model allows for three lanes of swimming, which can accommodate approximately 26 swimmers for a co-ed swim team.
As proposed, the first year pay-to-play model is budgeted at just under $27,000 for the winter season and any additional costs in future years would be the result of more swimmers and the need for more lanes and more days of practice. If the board approves the introduction of swimming to the mix of winter sports, fundraising activities are anticipated in an effort to keep the cost of participation to around $500 per student for the season.
Verona residents who would like to show support of the team are welcome to write to Athletic Director Bob Merkler, Superintendent Rui Dionisio, BOE Athletic Committee members Lisa Freschi or Michele Bernardino, and/or any of the board members, sharing the overall benefits which having a swim team at the high school would provide, and what participation on the team would mean to your child. There is a non-public board meeting on June 13, and another public meeting on June 27.
Correction: The June 13 meeting is a public meeting and it begins at 7 p.m. in the VHS Learning Commons.
