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Chester to consider extension of crossing‑guard contract covering 34 posts at 30 locations
Summary
Council members questioned details of an extension with SCM Management LLC to provide crossing guards (safety advocates) for the 2025–26 school year; staff said the contract is not to exceed approximately $471,000, covers 34 crossing guards at about 30 locations, includes floaters and monthly training, and pays only for hours actually worked.
City of Chester officials reviewed Resolution 86 on Monday, July 21, a request to extend and amend a service contract with SCM Management LLC to provide crossing guards (referred to in the meeting as “safety advocates”) for the 2025–26 school year.
The presentation to council included a contract worksheet that lists crossing‑guard locations, a line‑item cost breakdown and event expenses. City staff said the contract covers 34 crossing guards at 30 locations across the city; a small number of corners have two guards. The company’s representatives said floaters/substitutes are used when guards call out and that the company monitors posts 30–15 minutes before shifts to address absences.
A representative of SCM told council that crossing guards are paid for monthly attendance and that invoices are submitted only for actual services rendered. “We compensate them for their time, which helps to build morale, which then makes helps to make sure that they’re on post every day,” the SCM representative said. Staff emphasized the contract will be a not‑to‑exceed arrangement: the estimated ceiling discussed in the meeting was $471,000; actual billed amounts will be limited to documented hours and related event expenses.
Council members asked whether the current contract sheet added any sites since the prior meeting; staff said two sites (Rosnife and Tillman) were not in the original contract but have been staffed during the last school year, and that Curlin and Ninth & Tillman were also being staffed. Staff confirmed the contract budget includes coverage for floaters and that the invoicing process ensures daily totals do not exceed the contract limits.
The SCM representative also detailed non‑post investments the contract funds: monthly professional development for crossing guards, workforce development and community networking events, marketing materials and resume‑building workshops. The representative said the crossing‑guard program is engaged countywide and that a county crossing‑guard symposium is scheduled for Sept. 13 at Delaware County Community College to centralize training and push for a consistent county policy.
Staff said the estimated value is roughly $40,000 less than the first year of the prior contract with addenda; last year’s actual expenses were lower than the originally authorized sum. Resolution 86 was placed on the council’s agenda for final passage at the Wednesday meeting.
