Fees for schools to be provided with two lifeguards – which cost $65 per hour – were previously removed by former councillors, but in a report to be presented at Tuesday’s meeting, staff recommended the current group reverse the decision.

“Indigo Shire pools have been opening out of hours for schools at a significant cost since this decision,” the report stated.

It proposed the council charge schools a subsidised flat rate of $43.70 for up to two hours or $65.50 for events over two hours.

If the vote is successful, it would shift about $6000 in costs from the council onto schools each year.

Schools already pay a fee per student to attend pools in Beechworth, Chiltern, Rutherglen, Tangambalanga and Yackandandah and were worried their already tight budgets would be impacted by extra council costs.

Rutherglen Primary School physical education teacher Jan Eccles said she had written to the council, both this year and in previous years, when it tried and failed to reimpose lifeguard charges. She said increased swimming fees for children should already cover the cost.

“We feel the pool should be a community resource, not for money-making,” she said.

“It will be an extra cost to our swimming program.”

Beechworth Secondary College principal Patricia Broom said getting students access to pools was already difficult because Indigo Shire facilities were only available in summer.

“We try to do it at no cost to the students, it’s paid for by the school,” she said.

Any extra lifeguard costs would have to be paid during lessons, swimming sports and outdoor education class testing.

“It’s important that we keep up the access to water,” Ms Broom said.

“We’d like to keep going with school events – a lot of schools don’t because of the cost.”

The Indigo Council meeting will be held at the council chambers in Beechworth from 6.30pm Tuesday.