School Crossing Guards

The purpose of this policy is to establish standards for the training, assignment, and operation of school crossing guards to ensure safe pedestrian crossings for students and reduce liability for the district.

1. The crossing guards shall receive appropriate training annually. Training shall include, at minimum, proper crossing procedures, student supervision, emergency procedures and reporting requirements.
2. Guards shall wear the appropriate clothing, including a high visibility safety vest or jacket.
3. Guards shall use a district-issued handheld STOP paddle and shall be provided with a district-approved communication device. All crossing guards shall have in their possession a note book and pencil with which to record traffic violators.
4. If the district provides crossing guards, locations shall be approved by the school district’s governing board. The guards should be provided only at those crossings where a compelling need exists.
5. The district shall establish and maintain a schedule of the hours that the specified crossing(s) will be guarded, and this schedule shall be communicated to parents/guardians annually and whenever changes occur.
6. The district shall develop a contingency plan to ensure crossing locations are never left unattended during the scheduled hours.
7. Guards shall not attempt to stop or pursue vehicles committing traffic violations, but shall obtain the license number and description of the vehicle and report it to the law enforcement agency within that jurisdiction.
8. Guards shall not direct traffic under any circumstances.
9. Crossing guards shall perform, at a minimum, the following procedures:
   1. Stand on the curb on the side of the street from which students approach.
   2. Instruct the children to remain on the sidewalk until the crossing guard signals the children to cross the street.
   3. Identify a safe gap in traffic before entering the crosswalk.
   4. Establish visual contact with approaching vehicles while holding the hand-held stop sign, to ensure visibility. Wait for the traffic approaching in all directions to stop and then motion the children to cross the street.
   5. Remain in the center of the street until the last child reaches the opposite curb.
   6. Return to the curb on the side of the street from which children are approaching.