Funding for School Crossing Guard ProgramTransitions to MVUSD

During its meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22, the Moreno Valley City Council directed staff to announce its decision to de-fund the School Crossing Guard Program which supports the Moreno Valley Unified School District. The decision comes after sharp declines in Gasoline Tax revenues, which fund this program, have required cost reductions in many areas. The council will consider budget adjustments to implement its decision during the city council meeting at 6 p.m. on Oct. 13. The program will be de-funded over a three month period, which provides the district sufficient time to take over the program, find an alternative source of funding or establish a program similar to the one operated by the Val Verde Unified School District. Council members discussed this situation with the District's Board at a joint meeting in June of this year, when both agencies acknowledged the situation and agreed to explore options. Alternatives discussed between city and district representatives include: • Transferring Crossing Guards, who are currently Temporary City Employees, to direct employment with the Schools; • Transferring funds from the schools to the city to fully fund Crossing Guard services, at no cost to the city; and • Seeking community members to serve the school district as volunteer Crossing Guards; and To provide schools with time to notify parents of this change, the council directed that the program's transition to MVUSD take place in a phased manner. The program will be de-funded over a three month period, with eight crossings on Oct. 31, eight additional crossings on Nov. 30, and the final 11 crossings on Dec. 31. "The loss of more than $1.5 million in Gas Tax funds leaves the city with very few options," said Mayor Pro Tem Yxstian Gutierrez. "We are committed to keeping students and their families safe, which is why we must direct available funds to repair roadways," he said. In proposing a transition that will occur over more than three months, council member Jeffrey Giba wanted to ensure that the district has time to consider how best to move forward with the program. "The city and district are partners in serving Moreno Valley families. This schedule empowers the District to determine the level and type of service provided," he said. Transferring funding of the program to the district does not affect the city's longstanding investment of approximately $1 million annually in Safe Routes to School infrastructure which provides enhanced walking routes for local students throughout Moreno Valley.