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Parents press FCPS for sidewalks, crossings and crossings‑guard alternatives near several schools
Summary
Several parents and community members told the school board the CIP should fund sidewalks, crosswalks and safer arrival/dismissal plans after staff said school staff cannot serve as crossing guards for off‑site crosswalks. Speakers identified Westbriar, Chesterbrook and other neighborhoods.
Parents at the FCPS public hearing urged the board to prioritize pedestrian safety projects in the CIP after staff said school employees are not permitted to act as crossing guards at crosswalks off school property.
Why it matters: Missing sidewalks and unmanaged traffic at arrival and dismissal create immediate safety risks for walking and biking students and can reduce families’ ability to choose active transportation.
Jenny White, a parent at Westbriar Elementary School, said staff notified parents on Nov. 4, 2024 that school employees may not act as crossing guards for crosswalks not on school property; since then, White said no alternative measures have been implemented at a congested intersection near Westbriar where parked cars and kiss‑and‑ride queuing obscure visibility. Diana Hashimi, speaking about Chesterbrook Gardens in McLean, said a missing sidewalk segment forces children onto a narrow two‑lane road used as a cut‑through to Kirby Road and urged the board to coordinate with county supervisors to secure operating funds for sidewalk projects near schools.
Vanessa Hall urged the board to ensure capacity decisions consider pedestrian safety and to prioritize Title I and high‑need schools as projects are scheduled. Speakers recommended that FCPS and the County identify operating and capital funding to fix sidewalk gaps, direct staff to partner with county transportation agencies, and add safe‑routes assessments into the CIP process.
Ending: Parents asked the board to fund short‑term crossing mitigations and longer‑term sidewalk projects as part of CIP prioritization and interagency coordination.
