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Instructor says Klamath Falls pool wages fall below Oregon average; asks council to raise pay
Summary
A certified aquatic instructor told the Klamath Falls City Council that pay for group fitness instructors at the Ella Red Key pool is below state averages and urged the council to raise the wage to retain consistent instruction.
Christy Keller, a longtime instructor at the Ella Red Key pool, told the Klamath Falls City Council during public comment on April 21 that the city’s posted pay scale for aquatic instructors is below Oregon averages and is contributing to inconsistent instruction at the pool.
Keller said instructors are certified, plan classes on their own time, and provide exercise and social interaction that is particularly important for seniors. She told council the city’s job listing shows pay between $13.70 and $15 per hour while statewide averages she consulted range from about $21 to $31 per hour. Keller said the pay discrepancy makes it difficult to retain scheduled instructors and asked council to consider raising the pay scale at least to the Oregon average.
Keller also said class sizes range from about five to 25 and that instructors often modify exercises to accommodate mixed abilities in a single class. She said the pool manager has tried to negotiate annually with finance but has had minimal success.
The council did not take action during the meeting; Keller offered to invite council members to observe classes. No further public testimony was received on the item.
