Lifeguards are essential to the community. They help keep our children safe, teach our kids how to swim, and pools operational. They work long hours in the summer sun 7 days a week and don't even get paid overtime. Some days start at 8:30 am and don't end until 8 pm. 

Lifeguards are constantly on call during the pool hours looking for potential drowning victims or emergencies like seizures, neck injuries, heat exhaustion, and open blood wounds. They have to get CPR certified and spend money and time for advanced training before applying for the job. These trainings can cost up to $200. 

With minimum wage rising and many companies raising wages, the Shawnee County Aquatic Administration has yet to jump on board. The lifeguard wage is $8 in Shawnee County. This low wage has caused a shortage in staff and longer hours for current staff. They are short staffed this year and might not have enough life guards to open some Shawnee County pools next summer.

Sign this petition and help raise the life guard minimum wage to $12 for the Shawnee County Pools! Raising the hourly wage will influence more people to apply. This will help fully staff all of our pools and your kids will have a place to swim next summer!