During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the current status of crossing guard positions in the city, revealing a total of 205 positions, with 153 filled and 52 vacant. This marks a slight increase in vacancies compared to the previous year, with officials noting a rise of one or two positions.

To address the staffing shortages, the council is considering funding a new contract that would implement a significant pay increase for crossing guards. The proposed structure includes a 20% raise over four years, starting from an annual salary of $13,004 for the first step in the pay scale. The crossing guards typically work part-time, with shifts broken down into two 90-minute segments each day, totaling 15 hours a week.

The discussion also touched on the recruitment strategies being employed to fill these vacancies. Officials mentioned plans to create promotional materials and participate in a job fair in collaboration with the city of Boston. Additionally, there are efforts to engage with parent groups and school-based organizations to help fill gaps in staffing.

Concerns were raised about the impact of vacant positions on school safety, as some schools currently lack crossing guards at busy intersections. In such cases, police officers may be deployed to assist with crossings. The assignment of crossing guards is based on seniority, with guards bidding for specific crossings within their districts.

Officials acknowledged the need for a more comprehensive approach to mapping out areas lacking crossing guard coverage, indicating that further analysis would be conducted to identify districts with higher vacancy rates. The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges in ensuring safe crossings for students and the importance of effective recruitment and retention strategies for crossing guards.