OK...we can't get this whole Pool Manager salary thing out of our craw. That's right...Pool Manager. As our President so eloquently put it when he launched one of those quotes that will be forever etched in history:" You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig. "
So you can use your creative writing skills to call a "Pool Manager" an "Aquatic Facilities Manager"....but at the end of the day, they still manage a frickin' pool!
Call us crazy...but it would seem that there are far more critical, far more challenging occupations in our district for which we pay far less. And apparently, we're OK with that...so why do we feel the need to "make it rain" for administrative positions?
Why is it that the minute we include a position under the umbrella of "Administration" or Administrative Support", there is a sense of entitlement to a whopping salary?
More importantly, the second a position falls under school district administration, it seems to carry with it a premium salary. Just a quick scan of the internet located a "Swimming Pool Manager" opening for the City of San Diego--that's right, in high priced southern Cali. It pays--drum roll--$15.12 to $18.19 per hour
Swimming Pool Managers lead, evaluate and supervise
the work of subordinates and volunteers; administer and teach
swimming classes; perform pool maintenance; administer first aid
and CPR as needed; keep records and write reports; publicize and market
new and existing aquatic programs; develop fund raising activities;
plan and conduct special aquatic events; coordinate staffing
schedules; conduct specialized staff training; and provide
information to the public...
Tell us how this position differ so much from our own "Pool Manager" position.
Who called this meeting, anyway?
So...did school board president John E Whalen call Tim Culver and say, "Hey Tim....set up a meeting, we need to rethink that salary that I got outvoted on" ? Or did Culver just set the meeting up because the "fish on the line" declined the salary after learning that the school board lowered it? Ya know...is the tail wagging the dog here? Or did the 5 school board members who voted to reduce the salary call John E up and say, "Hey John...can we hold a closed door session to rethink that Pool Manager salary"? Just askin'.....
Channelling Chopped Liver Here!
Um...hello...as school board members head into their closed door session to discuss "beefing up" the Pool Manager salary to "get their person", we suggest they keep in mind the teachers. The starting salary for a teacher...you know...those people that actually EDUCATE our kids...earn less than $32,000. But we're paying a Pool Manager $40,000? And the "desired candidate" apparently has turned the offer down --likely because they peruse the website and know that the original salary was slated to be $45,300.
Think about that.
Job Specs
The "Pool Manger" job description is:
A.Manages and supervises employees to assure that the facility and programs are staffed as required to provide safe and effective programs.
B. Manages the aquatic facility.
C. Coordinates all aquatic program activities.
D. Maintains compliance with state regulations and certification standards.
Compare that if you will to a bare bones position description for a teacher.
- Formulate lesson plans
- Teach 15-25 kids, at varying ability levels, per class for 7-8 classes every day
- Maintain certifications
- upgrade curriculum as district standards change
- attend training as required
Really? a pool manager is worth 25% MORE than a teacher as the school board already voted?
And now the "desired candidate" thinks the job is worth more like 40% more compensation than that of a teacher?
We don't think so.
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