SAMOHI — In the latest edition of the high school’s student paper, staff writer Kevin Katz calls out administrators for playing dirty pool.
The editorial in “The Samohi,” published Oct. 12, didn’t complain of corruption or graft by the high school’s leadership, but rather the mold and mildew swimming amongst members of the student body forced to dip into Drake Pool.
Calling it “a disgrace,” Katz said some students have come to despise plunging into the Olympic-size swimming pool because they fear contracting an irritating skin rash, or worse, a bacterial infection. Katz also said the pool “doubles as a trash can;” one that has attracted roaches, ants, “even mice.”
“The swimmers, beyond the horrible amounts of chlorine, have to deal with practicing where ants, cockroaches, and hopefully only a few rats and mice dwell at night,” Katz wrote. “Maybe it’s time to look at our pool and say: ‘Hey, it’s time to do something about it.’”
That time has come. This weekend, the indoor pool — located just behind the Greek Theater on campus — will be closed for cleaning and re-chlorinating, said Norm Lacy, athletic director for Samohi. Drake is expected to re-open Monday.
“I believe we are in good shape, but because of this article, we want to make sure that we are doing all we can to ensure students are safe, so we’re taking aquatics out this weekend, shutting the pool down so we can super chlorinate it, kill everything that’s believed to be in there and start anew,” Lacy said.
Addressing water quality is one of several measures Lacy said he is taking to clean up the pool area and locker rooms. Recently, the school’s locker rooms were closed for four months for mold removal. Drywall was replaced, along with damaged wood.
In addition, the school is close to signing a contract to have all air vents steam-cleaned to improve air circulation and keep mold from returning, Lacy said.
Katz’ editorial comes with less than three weeks before the Nov. 7 election, when voters will be asked to approve Measure BB, a $268 million bond that would be used to pay for new asbestos removal, repair leaky roofs, renovate outdated classrooms, bathrooms and plumbing, along with other school infrastructure improvements.
The measure is supported by parent groups and school board members, opposed by anti-tax groups and a group of Malibu residents.
Once word of Katz’ editorial spread, some parents became concerned about the health of their children. On an Internet messaging board, parents posted inquiries, wanting to learn more about Drake.
“Dear PALS, do you know about pool situation?” parent Noma Niroomand wrote. “Our kids’ health is in danger. Do you know if school has any action plan to solve this problem? Let me know if you have any info.”
The editorial “created a little (public relations) problem for us,” Lacy said. “I want the parents and the students to know that we do have a plan and we are addressing the concerns expressed in the article.”
Lacy said as soon as the editorial hit, he went to the pool to check things out. Lacy admits the situation isn’t perfect, however, he found no signs that the pool is over chlorinated, nor littered with trash.
On Thursday, the water in Drake appeared clean and clear of any garbage. There were collections of brown sediment near the pool’s drains, however, but nothing that warranted draining the pool completely, which Lacy said would be too costly and require a special permit from City Hall because of the school’s close proximity to the ocean.
“We really don’t see any need for it,”Lacy said.“We’re taking the proper steps to address this and we’ll continue to monitor the chlorine levels.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 20, 2006. Read the original PDF.