Rumor and Innuendo

At last night's Massillon School Board meeting, Massillon school district officials claimed that a plan to close the district's natatorium was just a rumor. Faced with unhappy parents, Tiger Sharks, and members of the community, we were told that the pool was not closing any time soon;

"Addressing concerns about the possibility of closing the district pool and discontinuing the elementary swim program, they let their voices be heard regarding what district officials called "rumors" (The Independent, January 27, 2011).

"Rumors"

How does a crazy rumor like the school district closing the pool get started?

Probably when the Superintendent tells the local newspaper that the pool is going to close.

"Come summertime, City Schools Administrators will be moving out. In an effort to slash spending and address a $5 million projected deficit in 2013, the district plans to relocate administrative offices, currently located at the old Washington High School, and close the building. That plan would also mean closing the district's pool..." (The Independent, December 10, 2010).

"Utility costs for the pool are astronomical," Carmichael said, adding that Massillon can no longer afford to support it. Carmichael wants to make use of other community resources when the pool closes. Ideally she would like to make use of the Massillon Family YMCA" (The Independent, December 10, 2010).

We believe it might have been the use of the words, "when the pool closes" that spurred this crazy rumor on.

Perhaps before the Superintendent runs to the local paper to explain that the administration is moving to new, and we assume better, office space and that the pool is closing, she may wish to check in with the members of the school board first.

Not the two who rubber stamp her every whim, but with the three who don't.