MUSD returns crossing guards to school sites, zones

Crossing guards were trained this week and were once again on duty at and near MUSD schools.

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Reversing course from its decision in April to eliminate crossing guards for Menifee Union School District students, MUSD has approved the return of up to 35 crossing guards to district schools and city streets.

The MUSD board of trustees on Tuesday unanimously approved a proposal to hire up to 35 crossing guards on a two-hour-shift basis, with each position not to exceed an annual salary of $5,065. The approved crossing guards will work positions in school zones or within 1,500 feet of each school.

MUSD schools welcomed back students in April without the assistance of crossing guards. At the time, superintendent Jennifer Root said district officials decided to eliminate crossing guards after consulting with their insurance carrier and legal counsel about liability. The action followed concerns expressed in the past by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department that some crossing guards were actually having a negative effect on traffic control.

Now, after discussions with the City of Menifee and Menifee Police Department, district staff has decided the safety of students in school zones outweighs any other factors.

“We were able to meet with the City of Menifee and the Menifee Police Department to work on various safe routes to school issues,” Root said. “Reflecting on all advice that we have received, we worked with our site administrators to identify areas for placement of crossing guards based on traffic patterns before the COVID school closures.

“As Mr. McGough stated at the Board Meeting, as schools re-open we will continue to look at traffic patterns to determine the need for where additional crossing guards may be placed.”

Chad McGough, assistant superintendent of personnel services, said that intersections outside the 1,500-foot zone are under the traffic supervision of the City of Menifee, but that MUSD would continue to monitor other areas that may need crossing guards.

Root said the district is completing the hiring process, but that many crossing guards were on duty the first day of school on Wednesday.