A crossing guard eliminated from the city’s budget as of the new school year has become a hot topic on local Facebook pages and will be discussed Monday by the city’s Finance Committee.
The $6,500 per year crossing guard at Main and Center streets was initially cut completely from the city budget last November. City officials then reconsidered and decided to continue funding the post for half a year, which ran out with the end of the 2012-2013 school year
Community members posting on various social media and on the Police Department’s Facebook page this week are expressing anger over the cut, saying the city is putting children in danger to save money.
Some also suggested the duties be taken over by police officers.
The Police Department posted a reply on its Facebook page saying there was no money in the budget to continue the funding. However, there was a chance funding could be found.
“Our hope is crossing guards will return and be supported by some other budget source,” the department said.
The department also noted that police officers would not make good crossing guards because they need to be available to respond to other calls.
The crossing guard issue has been placed on the Finance Committee’s agenda for its meeting at 8 a.m. Monday at City Hall, 127 S. Sawyer St.
However, it is listed as a discussion item under old business, rather than an action item.
City Administrator Brian Knapp said he has not been asked to find funding for the crossing guard position in the budget.
Officials were adamant at their budget meetings last year that a crossing guard at Main and Center streets was necessary.
“There are a limited number of students who cross there, but it is also a high traffic problem,” Alderman Bob Kurkiewicz said at a Common Council meeting in November.
Kurkiewicz also noted at the time that he had gotten a petition from people — including a number of bus drivers — who wanted the crossing guard retained.
Woody Davis, council president, echoed those concerns at the same meeting.
“It would be a mistake not to have a crossing guard there,” he said.
The council ultimately approved transferring $3,700 from the city’s contingency fund to the Police Department to cover the cost of a school crossing guard through the end of the school year.
City officials said it would give nearby schools an opportunity to budget for their own crossing guard after the school year ends in June.
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