Fairfax County officials have recommended restoring high school crossing guards and introducing a series of new traffic-safety measures after the service was cut in a budget reduction earlier this year.
Deputy County Executive Tom Arnold’s report proposes reinstating crossing guards at the 10 high schools affected by the cuts, using 11 positions at an estimated cost of $707,908. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is expected to consider the plan on Tuesday, 15 September.
The recommendation follows mounting concern among parents and community leaders after a 16-year-old South Lakes High School pupil was struck by a car while walking to school on 1 September. The student suffered minor injuries and the driver remained at the scene before being charged with failing to stop before entering a highway, according to Fairfax County Public Schools.
Crossing guards were removed from all Fairfax County public high schools as part of the budget adopted on 5 May, eliminating 13 full-time positions and saving about $1.89 million. Services at elementary and middle schools were not affected.
Temporary cover was reinstated at the affected sites after the South Lakes incident. The locations include Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, Edison, McLean, Oakton, South County, South Lakes, West Potomac and West Springfield high schools.
Recommended safety measures at Fairfax County high schools
Mr Arnold’s report also calls for flashing beacons to be installed at every high school, while recommending a pedestrian beacon or traffic signal at West Springfield High School.
New marked crossings would be considered at McLean, Oakton and South Lakes high schools according to patterns of pedestrian movement. Officials are also being urged to examine whether greater use of school buses could reduce congestion and provide a safer alternative for pupils.
School security officers identified further concerns, including poor visibility during winter mornings and evenings, the need for radar speed-feedback signs, and vehicles parked too close to corners near crossings.
The report said pupil drop-offs and student drivers were the main contributors to congestion and safety problems. It added that earlier assessments had not identified any high school locations where traffic direction was required to help pupils cross safely, beyond the volume of pedestrians and vehicles.
Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who co-sponsored the board matter that prompted the review on 25 August, backed the proposals. He said he supported restoring funding for the crossing guard at South Lakes and examining an additional crossing there, alongside safety improvements at every high school.
The board will hold a public hearing and vote on the use of carryover funds to finance the crossing guards for the remainder of the school year on 15 September. Fairfax County currently has an estimated surplus of $1.7 million.
