School Districts around the state own and operate swimming pools that are rented out to club teams.  USA Swimming teams, USA Diving teams, water polo, and others rely on these pools to train the next generation of Olympic athletes.  Currently, school districts in Texas are only opening up for athletes in their district and club teams have been left floundering out of the water.

Right now Texas school districts are claiming that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is preventing them from opening their pools to club teams.  This is not true!  Per the TEA's own website, "TEA does not have the general authority to close schools for matters related to health. This authority lies with the local health authority, DSHS, and the Governor of Texas." All the TEA is able to do is make a recommendation.  School districts have the autonomy to make their own decisions about their facilities.

We are asking for school districts across the state of Texas to make their own decisions based on the conditions in their counties, cities, and towns.  Each school district is unique and a blanket recommendation from the TEA does not fit for all districts.  The TEA is making a recommendation, not a rule.  

We are asking for all club swimmers, divers, water polo athletes, parents and all of their supporters to join us.  Let the school districts know that they have the ability and all the authority to open their pools.  USA water sports needs your help.  If these clubs start to fail, the ramifications will be devistating.