During the Essex Junction School Board budget development for fiscal year 2012-2013, the Board created a Crossing Guard Advisory Committee to present alternatives to the school crossing guard structure.  The committee’s intent was to reduce the budget while keeping the safety of our students a priority.

The Crossing Guard Advisory Committee met on multiple occasions to review data and consider options.  As a result, the committee made the following recommendations for certain crossing guard locations and the School Board approved the recommendations to begin August 31, 2011:

1. Pearl Street at the Northfield Savings Bank: this crossing guard position was eliminated due to the low volume of students crossing at this location and the existence of a push-button crossing signal.
2. Maple Street at ADL: this crossing guard position was eliminated as the majority of students walk or ride their bikes on the north side of Maple Street, and should be encouraged by parents/families to do so.
3. Holy Family Church Parking Lot: this crossing guard position will be eliminated – Lincoln Terrace is the recommended route for students coming from Lincoln Street (not the path through the wooded area between Lincoln Street and the Holy Family Church parking lot).
4. Lincoln Terrace and School Street: afternoon coverage (2:40-3:25 p.m.) will be added due to the high number of students walking from Lincoln Street.
5. New Hours for all crossing guard locations are 7:25 – 8:10 a.m. and 2:40 – 3:25 p.m. (this is a reduction of 15 minutes each morning and afternoon)

Below is a list of all crossing guard locations that will be staffed for the 2011-2012 school year:

1. South St. Extension
2. Hiawatha School Parking Lot
3. Owaissa at Hiawatha
4. Hiawatha at West Street
5. South Summit at West Street
6. South Street at Doon’s Way: This location will not be staffed beginning Sept. 6, 2011 as the position could not be filled
7. Park Street at South Summit
8. Pearl Street at South Summit
9. Summit Street School
10. Summit Street at Prospect Street
11. Fleming Parking Lot (only staffed in the afternoon)
12. Lincoln Terrace at School Street
13. Lincoln Street at Central
14. Central at Grove Street
15. Main Street at Pleasant
16. Educational Drive at Drury Drive
17. Main Street at Brickyard
18. Maple Street at Railroad
19. Maple Street at Mansfield