![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lebanonlocalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/engler.jpg\")
<\/a>Lorlee Engler. \u2013 File Photo<\/p>\nThe former director, Lorlee Engler, worked for the Lebanon Aquatic District for almost two decades, and as executive director since 2014. She announced her resignation in August 2025.<\/p>\n
Very little is known about the separation, but a publicly available settlement document signed in January 2026 reveals the district settled out of court with Engler for $96,000 ($31,680 of which was paid to her attorney), paid by the district\u2019s insurance carrier.<\/p>\n
The document also reveals that Engler had filed a tort claim against the district in July 2025 arising out of her employment.<\/p>\n
Engler told The New Era, \u201cThe sport of swimming and the Lebanon Community Pool will always hold a special place in my heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the nearly 19 years I was employed by the Lebanon Aquatic District, I did my best to provide the highest quality of service to the public. I brought a passion for public service and a strong commitment to stewarding a community resource that means so much to so many.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I begin my next chapter, I wish nothing but the best for staff and patrons of the Lebanon Community Pool.\u201d<\/p>\n
The district has not yet responded with a comment.<\/p>\n
Feb. 16 board meeting<\/p>\n
During the board\u2019s meeting on Feb. 16, Darla Bulmer, board chair at the time, announced Director Julie Miller\u2019s resignation.<\/p>\n
With the seat now vacant, Bulmer said she confirmed with former applicant Ross Dewberry whether he would still be interested in joining the board, and moved to appoint him in Miller\u2019s seat.<\/p>\n
Last August, the board interviewed three candidates to fill outgoing Board Director Mark McAllister\u2019s seat, who resigned. They were Elaine Wilder, Robert Waterhouse and Dewberry.<\/p>\n
Bulmer explained her decision to select Dewberry because Wilder was appointed to McAllister\u2019s seat and Waterhouse had since formed a nonprofit group, Friends of Lebanon Pool. Waterhouse later told The New Era he would have liked the opportunity to consider removing himself from the nonprofit in order to join the board, stating he would like to see more pool users on the board.<\/p>\n
The board expected to hold a public meeting later in the month to start discussions about what repair or renovation projects the pool could proceed with. According to Board Director Kim Kendall, they would be drawing from a list of maintenance needs prepared some time ago by the former executive director and the school district\u2019s COO.<\/p>\n Bulmer said she first wanted to solidify where they were financially before proceeding.<\/p>\n Jim Knoup, pool staff, reported a recent maintenance issue that caused the pool to shut down for a night when air bubbles were forming in the main pool, causing reduced visibility. After some investigation, Knoup and others determined the problem may be coming from the gutter system, so they created a \u201ctemporary fix\u201d by overfilling the gutter system.<\/p>\n The pump for the main pool also needed repairs after a float on the modulating valve came off, and a broken step in the deep end was epoxied for $1,000 until new steps can be installed during an upcoming pool renovation.<\/p>\n Knoup also reported the warm pool\u2019s ProMinent chemical feeder went out, causing him to have to manually treat the pool every hour until the repair could be made, and new ADA stairs were purchased.<\/p>\n In other business:<\/p>\n The board approved a resolution authorizing a change of banking institution. March 16 board meeting<\/p>\n During their March 16 meeting, Kendall proposed that she and Bulmer be appointed as co-directors for the budget this year, which the board approved.<\/p>\n \u201cWe both have really busy jobs, and together, for something like this, we make a whole person,\u201d Kendall said. \u201cI\u2019m really good at the details and the meeting parts and the timelines\u2026 and she has been working with the numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n For the past decade and more, it has been the executive director of the pool \u2013 hired by the Board of Directors \u2013 who was appointed as budget officer.<\/p>\n<\/a>Jill Smith, the pool district\u2019s current executive director<\/p>\n
\nThe board moved to acknowledge the change of their lawyer, Eileen Eakins, to a new law firm, Cable Huston LLP, and agreed to continue retaining her as their lawyer.
\nExecutive Director Jill Smith, attending via Zoom, reported the pool had more than 100 sign ups for lessons.
\nBoard Director Jereme Guenther reported he is, as treasurer, adjusting some categories on the budget income to be more program-specific, which will result in year over year numbers looking different. He also reported the pool has been providing more support for the swim club, resulting in less time\/income for lessons and programs.
\nDirector Kim Kendall reported the local Conservative Alliance (also known as the Candidate Identification and Support Committee, or CISC PAC) donated $1,000 to the pool.
\nWilder reported she gave beanies to senior swimmers during a recognition event, and presented ideas for how to raise money for the pool through sales. She also reported staff is preparing the outside walls of the building for a mural, which is anticipated to be done during the dry season in partnership with local schools.<\/p>\n