Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Crossing Guards topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
CPS reports 138 of 160 crossing guard posts staffed; seeks volunteers to fill 22 vacancies
Summary
Cincinnati Public Schools said it assumed responsibility for crossing guard staffing in February, outfitted guards with new safety gear and retraining, and is seeking applicants for 22 remaining locations.
Cincinnati Public Schools told the joint CPS–City Healthy Neighborhoods Committee on April 16 that it has assumed responsibility for the city’s crossing‑guard program, has filled most posts and is asking the public to apply for remaining openings.
CPS Chief Operations Officer Chris Burkhart said CPS took over crossing-guard operations in February and now covers 160 crossing locations citywide. “There are currently 138 of those staffed with a permanent person,” Burkhart said; the district is filling roughly 22 remaining locations via temporary staff and volunteers until hires are completed.
Why it matters: Crossing guards directly affect the safety of students as they travel to and from school. CPS said it has retrained staff, provided high‑visibility apparel and is conducting a systemwide safe‑routes assessment for signage, crosswalks and traffic calming measures.
Burkhart described immediate steps taken since the transfer: all crossing guards received high‑visibility trench coats and reflective gear, whistles and the standard stop sign pole; staff retraining is complete and guards are undergoing required “auditor of state fraud” training that CPS said is a state requirement for employees. CPS is also assessing each school’s surrounding streets for repainting crosswalks, installing flashing speed signs and considering traffic humps where needed, with a plan to complete the initial assessment by the end of the school year.
Board members asked about qualifications and timeline. Burkhart said applicants must be at least 18 years old and encouraged community members to apply using a QR code or phone number CPS has publicized. When asked how many positions remain, Burkhart said, “So we have 22 positions that need to be filled across the city.”
CPS also said it has ongoing coordination with the city DOTE to prioritize high‑need sites; Burkhart identified Woodward, Clark and Walnut Hills as high‑interest high schools for traffic‑calming interventions. He said improvements such as refreshed striping and sign visibility will be phased in and that some equipment (for example, flashing signs) will be rolled out over a three- to five‑year period.
What CPS asked of the community: volunteers and applicants to fill guard posts, and patience as the district completes a systemwide safe‑routes assessment. “If anyone would like to become a crossing guard, we actually have these at each one of the intersections where we need a crossing guard,” Burkhart told the committee.
This update included Q&A but no formal action by the committee.
