Item 31 - Volunteer School Crossing Guard Program/School Crossing Guard Agreement

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Volunteer School Crossing Guard Program/School Crossing Guard Agreement June 20, 2023 Page 2 The existing crossing guard program places trained adult crossing guards at 55 locations, benefiting 41 schools in three school districts (Exhibit 1). Staff has also identified a total of 14 private and eight charter schools serving elementary school age students within the City. These charter schools currently do not have any City -funded crossing guards. Nevertheless, one charter school, El Sol Academy, funds its own crossing guards. Staff will work with charter schools to implement volunteer crossing guards, if warranted. However, if warranted, charter schools can also fund a crossing guard similar to how El Sol Academy does. Staff proposes a multi -pronged approach to make the transition from City -contracted Service to a school administered volunteer program. 1. To avoid gaps in crossing guard services, the City will make formal notification to the school districts of the phasing out of the contracted services beginning as early as school year 2023-2024. 2. Schools and school districts will develop a program to recruit and manage a volunteer -based crossing guard program. 3. The Police Department and Public Works Agency will develop a training program to assist the School Districts in the deployment of the crossing guards. 4. Staff will coordinate with the City Attorney's Office and recommend changes to the Municipal Code, if warranted, for future City Council consideration. Funding saved by the phasing out of the crossing guard service will be used as matching funds to implement safety enhancement projects that have been identified in the City's 2020 Safe Routes to School Plan. Although staff has reservations about the reliability and sustainability of a volunteer - based crossing guard program, staff will be committed to work with the school districts in transitioning to an all -volunteer program for the continued safety of the school children. Staff also stresses the point that traffic calming devices and crossing safety devices are not an equal substitute for a live adult, trained crossing guard. Considering Santa Ana Municipal Code 36-121 states that "Adult crossing guards for street crossings by elementary school children on their way to or from school shall normally be provided by the City," staff recommends a three-year term with up to two one-year extensions for a total amount not to exceed $5,343,125 for the importance of providing crossing guard services to Santa Ana elementary -aged school children until the volunteer program is established. The recommended not -to -exceed amount is the current fiscal year baseline budget for crossing guard services and will ensure that the City has the ability to provide services during the transition. This also ensures the ability to quickly reinstate services in the future, if necessary.