GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The City of Green Bay is still looking for crossing guards to work during this upcoming school year.
The Personnel Committee discussed the issue Tuesday night, saying pay is part of the reason for the shortage.
Two years ago, the City of Green Bay decided to provide crossing guard services through contracted services instead of using the police department.
With the first day of school coming up on Sept. 1, a few positions remain open.
Green Bay Police Operations Commander Kevin Warych tells FOX 11 the crossing guard positions often see heavy turnover rates.
“That’s about seven guards per year, and that’s probably what we see after every school year going into the next school year.”
It’s part of the reason why positions remain open now.
While fatigue may also be a reason for the shortage, there’s a bigger reason.
“When you compare our pay rate to other municipalities,” said Warych, “we’re not the lowest, but we’re not the highest. So, it is — pay is a big factor.”
He says crossing guards make $15 per hour.
Cross Safe is the outside company working on hiring and retaining guards.
The contracting move is projected to save the city just over $215,000 over three years.
Cross Safe guard supervisor Steve Sannes offers up a second reason for missing a few guards.
“We do get beat sometimes by 50 cents an hour, which is tough, but in many cases it’s because people have done many years of it. Or they tried it for a year or two and just decided that the hours weren’t what they wanted.”
He says sometimes guards choose to work somewhere else for less hours and more pay.
But an argument can be made for how Green Bay crossing guards can make a child’s day.
“We’re only with them maybe 45 seconds to a minute and a half as they’re coming through our corner” said Sannes, “but that time frame and period spent really means a lot to a lot of those kids and to the school.”
Officials confirmed to FOX 11 that there will be a crossing guard, community service officer or police officer around all 19 schools they staff in Green Bay for the first day of school.
To find out more about the positions, click here.
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