With the advance to the third aquatics task force meeting on Oct. 30, Superintendent Rob Metz said the committee has decided to use the Fargo Public Schools Aquatics Policy as a framework for Park’s own aquatics policy.

According to Metz, the task force began by looking through various district policy to see which areas the district should address in its own policy.

“We went through with starting first with another school policy,” Metz said. “After looking at other one’s [Fargo’s] is the best one. I thought it was very well done and very comprehensive.”

Using the North Dakota policy, Metz and the task force went through the document and addressed what rules and regulations they would consider amending.

“The committee walked through it and talked about what we like and didn’t like and I will change it to what we might want in aquatics policy,” he said. “Until then, I have cancelled our next meetings until I have a revised St. Louis Park district policy.”

Metz noted that although changes will need to be made to the Fargo regulations, it will most likely be very similar.

The Fargo policy itself holds many controversial regulations including repercussions of disciplinary action including discharge for employees who violate the policy, the presence of a lifeguard at all times pools are in use, a notification to the Human Resources Department at least five days prior to any in school aquatics activities and the presence of a list of substitute teachers who have a current lifeguard certificate or license.

Among an issue that would have to be addressed would be the fact that the Fargo Public school district requires there be a lifeguard present that is not also acting as the coach or teacher.

Swimmer sophomore Abe Rybeck said the resulting Park aquatics policy should not require a distinct lifeguard present during swimming practices.

“Our varsity team has won our conference three times so I think they know how to swim,” he said. “Half of the kids on the team are certified lifeguards anyways so if someone begins to drown almost everyone knows CPR.”

Additionally, Metz and the task force will have to decide whether the one to 40 lifeguard to student ratio outlined in the Fargo policy will be applicable during school day physical education classes and also whether they will keep the proposition regarding video surveillance.

“Fargo has cameras in pools,” Metz said. “We do not have cameras in pools as they are considered classrooms.”

A large topic of previous meetings however was not addressed in the Fargo policy, that being the actual aim in using pools during the school day. Metz said this needs to be addressed.

“We will also need to make a decision on instruction versus physical education activities during the day,” he said.