Unfortunately there remains some confusion about whose responsibility it is for funding the school crossing guard program. The health and safety of our children is the concern of all of us but implementing this program has been and remains the responsibility of the San Mateo/Foster City School District. I would like to provide all concerned with the recent history of the crossing guard program in Foster City.
In 2004 the city was asked by the school district to help pay for the $40,000 crossing guard program as they were facing some tough budgeting issues. To assist in helping the School District, the city offered to help by paying half the cost ($20,000). To date the City has been able to continue to help fund the program. Last year the school district withdrew their half of the funding and the number of crossing guards was reduced.
This entire subject of crossing guards became more of an emotional issue concerning driver safety rather than a real desire to understand the genesis, implementation and funding of the crossing guard program. The fact that City government agencies and school districts provide different services to the general public seems to be misunderstood by many residents.
I appreciated the comments made by parents who spoke at our council meeting. They demonstrated a real collective interest in finding a solution. I think we can all agree there is a need for our children to be able to get to/from school safely. There really is no debate on that concept. Where there is a debate is how to construct such a safety plan and who can and will pay for it. It is essential that a comprehensive, funding mechanism be put in place for a long term solution.
As part of my council responsibilities, I am the chairperson of the Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance. For the past few years that organization has offered gas vouchers for parents to car pool to and from schools throughout the County. The reasoning behind this program is to incentivize carpooling, thereby, having fewer cars traveling to and from school and reducing the overall traffic hazard to students. Recently, the City/County Association of Government board allocated $2 million dollars for a program called Safe Routes to School. This program is in the planning stages and will be implemented through the County School Superintendent’s Office. It will offer ways and means to generate safety programs for children traveling to school. My understanding is that grant funding will be available and School Districts are encouraged to apply. These are just two on-going options for addressing the need for student safety while traveling to/from schools.
Due to the current lack of a clear plan for the next school year, the Council has given the go ahead to help fund the crossing guards for at least one additional year, with the understanding that a longer term solution will be required to be put in place. The City Council Sub-committee comprised of Vice Mayor Kiesel and myself, will ask to meet with the School Board Sub-committee to discuss ways to achieve this long term crossing guard plan. We can’t continue to “beat” on the issue every few years.
I remember a time when students were crossing guards and wondered when and why this has evolved into a paid program offered by the District. I think a volunteer program can work, although it was not a popular option when I mentioned it, because we have very dedicated parents who would be willing to offer a day to serve as crossing guards. Another possibility to help fund a crossing guard program is to have every family pay a $20 dollar per year fee to the district, thereby minimizing the cost to the school district budget. These are a few ideas I will share in the sub-committee meeting for further exploration.
As parents offered their opinions about the crossing guard issue at the last meeting they also expressed concerns over the high incidence of reckless driving by parents and commuters in complete disregard of our traffic laws particularly during the morning hours while children are walking to school. Incidents of cell phone operation while driving, texting while driving, and other illegal or unsafe driving habits have been far too prevalent.
Again, it will take a collective effort to make this happen. Drivers need to reevaluate their driving habits around schools, parents need to do more carpooling and be ready to step up to help keep the crossing guards. The school district needs to evaluate available options to fund crossing guards, programs that will help student safety and encourage their implementation. The City will continue to do its part by having Police patrol presence to discourage offenders of our traffic laws. Irresponsible driving habits that put our children in peril will not be tolerated. Please express your thoughts on this or other issues by emailing to: lkoelling@fostercity.org.
print 