Apr 7, 2015 2 min read

Trinity Area School District has voted to eliminate teaching positions at the middle school and high school. At the middle school, two are in the physical education department, and if they do this, swimming will not be a part of the physical education curriculum at the school. This program has been provided there for over 40 years. A program that teaches a life skill should never be eliminated.

The school district should take pride in knowing that they provide this opportunity to its students. Trinity is one of 14 school districts in Washington County. There are only five that have a pool. Trinity is one of those five. The school district can offer something to our students that 9 out of 14 school districts in our county cannot.

The swimming program at the middle school also feeds into middle school and varsity swim teams. The middle school team has had excellent winning seasons. Our varsity team relays for both the girls and the boys made it to WPIAL competition this past season.

And many of those swimmers made it to district and state competitions for the Y programs that some of them also swim for.

I would like to challenge Trinity Area School Board to balance the budget without making these cuts.

I am asking as a community member and as a Trinity parent, for the school board to reconsider terminating these positions. Learning how to swim can save a life; it builds character, confidence and strong bodies. Music should always be an integral part of education, and by keeping these programs, Trinity can give our students lifesaving skills and music in their lives.

Katy Harvey

Washington