Marin Agency Details Rising Costs in School Crossing Guard Program

Rising Costs Threaten School Crossing Guard Program in Marin

The Transportation Authority of Marin is facing a growing challenge as climbing costs threaten to force cuts in its school crossing guard program. The agency is currently exploring new funding options to ensure the program remains operational and continues to provide essential safety services for students.

Recent discussions have centered on approving four contracts to collect video footage of traffic at existing and proposed crossing guard sites. This initiative aims to help officials create a ranked list of sites that will determine where funding should be allocated. The contracts, which total $98,000, are expected to be presented to the agency’s board for final approval next week. Once approved, the video collection will be conducted by four firms simultaneously across 100 sites during the fall and early winter months.

The analysis of the collected data, along with site recommendations and potential funding strategies, is expected to be presented to the board in the spring. This process will play a critical role in deciding how many sites can be funded based on available resources.

The crossing guard program was first launched in 2006 with 54 guards, initially funded through Measure A, a half-cent transportation sales tax approved by voters in 2004. It has since expanded with additional funding from Measure B, a $10 vehicle registration fee approved in 2010, and Measure AA, a half-cent sales tax renewal passed in 2018.

In 2018, the Transportation Authority of Marin set a threshold of 96 crossing guards based on available funding. Sites are selected using various criteria, including pedestrian and vehicle counts, sight lines, speed limits, crash history, and other safety metrics. In 2023, the board approved funding for 103 top-ranked sites due to concerns raised by parents about lower-ranking crossings not receiving support. However, last year, rising costs led the board to reduce the number of guarded sites back to the original 96 in an effort to preserve the program’s long-term viability.

One of the main factors driving up costs is the increase in the state minimum wage. Hiring and retaining crossing guards has also become more challenging, as neighboring Bay Area jurisdictions offer higher wages for similar roles. Although costs have not increased this year compared to last, there has been a steady 6% annual growth over time.

For the 2025-2026 school year, funding 96 guards is projected to cost $2.4 million. However, costs are expected to rise by approximately 4% the following year, which would require the agency to secure additional funding or risk reducing the number of guarded sites to around 68.

To address these challenges, the agency has already implemented cost-cutting measures through a new evaluation process approved last year. Each site evaluation now costs between $3,000 and $3,500. As part of this process, 42 high-ranking sites will no longer need reevaluation, while 21 low-ranking sites will be excluded from evaluations altogether.

Marin County Supervisor Mary Sackett, a member of the Transportation Authority of Marin board, praised the changes, stating that the new approach allows for greater efficiency and effectiveness in managing the program.

Despite these efforts, shortfalls are still anticipated, prompting the agency to explore several funding alternatives. One option involves increasing the share of revenue from the Measure AA sales tax that supports the program. Currently, 7% of the tax revenue goes toward crossing guards, and a 1% annual increase could generate about $300,000 per year. However, this would require reallocating funds from another program that relies on the same tax revenue.

Another possibility is increasing the contribution from the Measure B "Element 3" fund, which currently provides about $175,000 for the program. The agency could potentially raise this amount to $750,000 annually, but such a move would involve trade-offs.

The agency is also considering drawing a one-time amount from the sales tax interest fund or seeking a one-time grant to support the program. While these options may provide temporary relief, they do not offer long-term sustainability.

Additionally, the agency is looking into federal funding sources, such as the One Bay Area Grant administered through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. However, accessing federal funds would require federalizing the crossing guard contracts, which could lead to an estimated 10% increase in contract costs.

Mill Valley Councilmember Urban Carmel, a member of the Transportation Authority of Marin board, emphasized the importance of discussing these options to determine what the program can achieve and the resources needed to get there.