The $5 million cut in state funding for the Lake Washington School District is hitting the Lake Washington School District pretty hard. For the District-run Juanita Pool, there might be reason for hope. But for all other sports teams, the tough times might just be getting started.

Since the announcement that Juanita Pool could potentially shut down to close the budget gap, a large group of parents and community members have had their voices heard in support of the pool. E-mails and phone calls to the District, along with a Facebook page called Save the Juanita Pool, which has accumulated 1,384 members, has put pressure on the District to find an alternative to a shutdown.

So the District is looking to rid itself of Juanita Pool in order to save it.

Three entities were invited to bid for a management contract, including WAVE Aquatics, Northwest Centers and Safe and Sound Swimming.

The District received proposals from two of the organizations by the May 21 deadline ...... continued