Official MOU establishes Jefferson Elementary as emergency refuge for pool patrons and summer camp participants

Friday, June 5, 2026 at 2:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

The Plymouth Park Board this week approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Plymouth Park Department and the Plymouth Community School Corporation, formalizing an arrangement that gives park staff access to Jefferson Elementary School during severe weather emergencies.

The agreement allows select park department employees to access the Jefferson Elementary School building on Klinger Street as a shelter for individuals at the public pool and participants in the summer camp program whenever dangerous weather threatens.

While park employees have had access to the facility for this purpose in the past, Monday evening's meeting made clear that no official written document had ever been created to formalize the arrangement. The newly approved MOU addresses that gap, putting the longstanding practice into writing.

Under the terms of the agreement, three key cards will be provided to designated park department employees, enabling them to open the school building quickly and move children and adults to safety in the event of severe weather.

The MOU takes effect during the months of May, June, and July, covering the height of the outdoor recreation and summer programming season. The agreement will automatically renew each year unless terminated by either party.