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Fond du Lac community education reports growth in aquatics, warns of lifeguard shortages
Summary
Community education and recreation coordinator Bill Graymont told the school board the department is expanding programming and staffing but is short on lifeguards early in summer; he reported participation numbers, partnerships and plans for fall offerings.
Bill Graymont, coordinator for the Community and Recreation Department for the Fond du Lac School District, told the school board the department is expanding programs this year while still managing staff shortages, particularly among lifeguards.
Graymont gave a mid‑year report June 24 that reviewed staffing, participation and new offerings and described operational issues at city pools. "This summer's the tightest I've experienced since I've started," Graymont said, noting the department is running an on‑the‑fly lifeguard class the weekend of the meeting to try to fill vacancies.
The report said the department doubles part‑time staff from about 35 during the school year to roughly 70 in summer for recreation programs, and aquatics staffing rises from about 30 in the school year to 75–80 in summer. Graymont reported 862 participants in swim lessons so far this year and said that figure should rise as registrations for later sessions complete. He also said the department coordinates staffing for the city‑run Taylor Park pool and that the city had been working to repair heaters.
Graymont described several program highlights: a growing craft and adult‑enrichment offering, a second year of NFL flag football, new fencing and wilderness‑adventure offerings, paddleboard Pilates and expanded coordination with high school coaches for youth sports camps. He said the Fondy Swim Club is an institutional, self‑funded club that raises money to pay coaches and that the district processes payroll for those coaches through the district's payroll system.
On funding and partnerships, Graymont said summer school swim lessons allow the district to "claim those minutes" for state funding and that Fund 80 (local levy/other fund) is a distinct revenue source for community education programs. He identified Chartwells as the partner providing summer lunches at sites that dovetail with playground programming.
During public comment, Antonio Godfrey thanked the district for participating in the city's Juneteenth celebration and asked several operational questions, including whether lifeguard classes or uniforms were free and about hourly pay. Board members asked about hiring and confirmed a lifeguard class was being run immediately to address shortages.
Board members and staff said they planned to track summer participation and financial viability and to report final numbers in the fall when the department publishes its seasonal guides.
Graymont closed by urging community members to consider lifeguarding and certification opportunities, saying the work provides local teens with employment and training.
The board did not take a formal vote on the report; it was delivered as an informational briefing.
