HomeMy WebLinkAbout78-55 - Urging Legislation to Place Responsibility of Crossing Guards with SchoolsRESOLUTION NO. 78-55
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, URGING THE ADOPTION OF
STATE LEGISLATION WHICH PLACES THE RESPONSIBILITY
FOR CROSSING GUARDS WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
WHEREAS, the City has received many requests from schools and
school districts for the placement of adult crossing guards at inter-
sections to assist elementary school children crossing the street; and
WHEREAS, in reviewing each of these requests, the City has noted
that the increase in requests has been prompted by changes in school
policy regarding school hours (staggering shifts), school boundary
lines, or busing, and since the placement of crossing guards is not
under the schools' jurisdiction, the additional costs to the City to
keep adding crossing guards as a result of their changes falls on the
City; and
WHEREAS, it would appear more logical for school districts to
furnish and administer their own crossing guard programs since they
control school boundaries, busing policies, and hours of operation; and
WHEREAS, a further difficulty arises when school district bound-
aries do not coincide with city boundaries, and cities are asked to
provide crossing guards on streets separating two cities, bringing up
the question which of the cities are responsible for the traffic safety
of children; and
WHEREAS, the following State Code sections control the jurisdiction
of crossing guard programs:
California Vehicle Code Section 21372, making cities responsible --�
for the placement of traffic control devices near schools for the
purpose of protecting students going to and from school.
Education Code Sections 12051 and 12052, making it possible for
school districts to establish and maintain a school safety patrol.
WHEREAS, changing the State law to eliminate crossing guards as a
traffic control device and making crossing guards a permissible function
in the Education Code would clear up this ambiguity as to which local
jurisdiction is responsible for the safety of children going to and from
school; however; it would not eliminate cities' responsibilty for
physical traffic control devices, but that school boards would then have
all of the option available to them regarding the safest route to
school: student safety patrols, busing, boundary changes, safe route to
school plans, and crossing guards.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Costa Mesa that the State Legislature is hereby urged to pass legisla-
tion amending the California Vehicle Code and the Education Code to
place the responsibility for school crossing guards with the schools.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk is hereby directed to
send copies of this Resolution to the League of California Cities, all
cities in Orange County and all local State Legislators.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of June, 1978.
_ i�� lii✓_� Lf%
Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa
ATTEST:
per.
City Clerk of the City of Cost esa
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
I, EILEEN P. PHINNEY, City Clerk and ex -officio Clerk of the City
Council of the City of Costa Mesa, hereby certify that the above and
foregoing Resolution No. 78-55 was duly and regularly passed and adopted
by the said City Council at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 5th
day of June, 1978.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
Seal of the City of Costa Mesa this 6th day of June, 1978.
6?
City
Clerk and
exofficio
Clerk
the
City
Council of
the City
of Co
Mesa