With all the budget commotion involving crossing guards at high schools in Fairfax County and then a teen fatality in the City of Fairfax, some parents took matters into their own hands and got crossing flags for some pedestrian crossing paths in the name of safety.
The flags are posted near some crosswalks for students to carry as they cross the road. “It enhances the safety,” said Tamara O’Neil, a parent that has two children in the county school system - one at West Springfield High School and the other at Sangster Elementary School.
The Student Government Association assisted with setting up and using the flags recently at Centreville High School which can help draw attention whether there is a crossing guard or not.
The crossing guard issue is a concern of the Fairfax County Police Department and the public school system, but it’s not off the FCPS radar. They issued a statement:
“Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) appreciates that the County temporarily returned crossing guards to our historically staffed high schools last week. Despite FCPS concerns, as part of last year’s County budgeting process, high school crossing guards were eliminated starting this school year.
“We appreciate the vital role crossing guards play in ensuring our students arrive and depart school safely each day. We remain optimistic that this important safety measure will become permanent once again following next week’s Board of Supervisors’ meeting. We encourage students, families and drivers to use extra caution when traveling to and from school, follow all traffic laws, and remain alert for pedestrians and other vehicles. The welfare of our students, staff, and community remains a top priority,” FCPS said in a statement.
At the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15, the board heard from parents and students; they found funding for the crossing guards. Chairman Jeff McKay wasted no time to get the new information out in his newsletter
“Today, the Board of Supervisors approved $707,908 as part of the FY2026 Carryover Budget Package to restore crossing guards at Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, Edison, McLean, Oakton, South County, South Lakes, West Springfield, and West Potomac high schools for the remainder of the school year. Coverage will be provided through a combination of contracted crossing guards and uniformed police officers,” McKay said.