Carroll Aquatics Center to boost staffing

Carroll district officials are almost doubling their life guard staffing following a June drowning death at the Carroll ISD Aquatics Center during early morning swim club practice.

At a Sept. 12 board meeting, trustees approved the allocation of $185,000 for more life guards, with the bulk of the funding coming from a 25 percent increase in user fees. After studying procedures at the center following the June 20 death of incoming Carroll freshman Elise Cerami during a North Texas Natadores practice, Carroll administrators recommended doubling their staff of part-time life guards from eight to 16 and adding two full-time life guards to three existing positions.

Superintendent David Faltys said it had been more than a decade since Carroll officials have raised user fees at the center. The increase impacts swim clubs, lessons and facility rentals.

“After the tragedy we had this summer, between all of us, we’ve met with 300 to 350 parents and kiddos and that has been the most common request... ‘please raise our fees and get us the staff we need,’” Faltys said.

The staffing in the past had met USA Swimming guidelines, Faltys said, but after the accident, officals proposed going well beyond the recommended levels.

Matt Miller, assistant superintendent of administrative services, said that a 25 percent fee increase should raise about $112,000 in additional revenue.

The rise in fees will go into effect Nov. 1.

This story was originally published September 21, 2016 at 3:25 PM with the headline "Carroll Aquatics Center to boost staffing."