DDOT keeps Safe Routes to School program but reports ongoing crossing-guard staffing shortfall

DDOT told the Committee on Transportation and the Environment it will continue to operate a robust Safe Routes to School program and aims to deliver at least 25 Safe Routes action plans annually under the FY26 budget. Director Sharon Kirschbaum described the program as drawing from multiple funding streams and producing school-specific action plans.

"These investments have allowed the agency to stand up a robust program that works with schools and parents alike to make walking and cycling to schools safer," Kirschbaum said, adding DDOT will continue to deliver at least 25 action plans per year.

Crossing-guard shortages and recruitment Councilmembers pressed DDOT about school crossing guards (safety techs). Kirschbaum said DDOT currently has roughly 223 safety techs on staff and about 56 vacancies that are funded but unfilled. She described recruitment and onboarding challenges and said the agency had a successful recent recruitment round but could not onboard immediately because of a hiring freeze; Kirschbaum said the aim is to onboard a new cohort and have them trained before the start of the next school year.

"We have resources. Right now we have about 223 on staff safety techs and about 56 vacancies. And those are funded. We really struggled with the recruiting and onboarding and even retention," Kirschbaum said.

Drug-testing barrier flagged Members raised testing for cannabis as a barrier to hiring. Kirschbaum said qualified applicants were being disqualified because they tested positive for marijuana even if they had used it days earlier or had a medical card. She said the agency is exploring recruiting changes, internal screening adjustments and other alternatives, but emphasized safety concerns remain paramount.

Council members asked DDOT to provide advance lists of which schools will have crossing-guard gaps at the start of the school year so council offices can coordinate outreach if needed. Kirschbaum said DDOT will pursue an exemption to align hires with the start of the school year and will continue recruiting this summer.

Ending: DDOT said Safe Routes funding is intact in FY26 and reiterated the agencys goal to have a fully staffed complement of crossing guards trained and available before school resumes.