Overland Park City Council approves wage increase for school crossing guards through 2027

Overland Park's Public Safety Committee has taken a significant step to enhance school safety by approving an addendum to the city's agreement with All City Management Services (ACMS) for school crossing guard services. This decision, made during the committee meeting on July 9, 2025, aims to address workforce challenges and ensure reliable crossing guard coverage for local schools through December 31, 2027.

The approved agreement will increase the budget for crossing guard services to a maximum of $1,440,304.14. This funding will support a wage increase for crossing guards, raising their hourly pay from $26.46 to $28.06 in 2025 and to $28.91 in 2027. The wage adjustments are designed to attract and retain crossing guards, a critical role that has faced staffing shortages in recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Historically, the Overland Park Police Department managed the crossing guard program, dedicating significant resources to recruitment and training. Outsourcing this service to ACMS in 2017 has proven to be a cost-effective solution, allowing police personnel to focus on emergency response rather than routine crossing duties. The police department reported that in 2024, ACMS successfully covered all crossing guard shifts, demonstrating improvements in workforce stability.

With approximately 20,054 crossing guard shifts projected for each school year, the committee emphasized the importance of maintaining a dependable crossing guard presence to ensure student safety. The police department is prepared to absorb the cost increase for the remainder of 2025, thanks to budgetary savings from unexpected school closures earlier in the year. However, additional funding will be requested in the 2026 budget to sustain the increased service costs.

This proactive approach not only enhances safety for students but also allows police officers to remain available for emergency calls, reinforcing the city's commitment to public safety as the new school year approaches.