EMMAUS, Pa. — East Penn School Board on Monday voted to accept an agreement recently passed by Emmaus that puts the responsibility of hiring up to eight school crossing guards onto the school district.
The borough will pay 50% of the crossing guards' compensation.
The vote came as three new school board members joined a regular meeting for the first time after a dramatic election swept by a bipartisan, Democratic-endorsed slate of candidates.
Several Lehigh Valley schools recently have shifted a greater amount of funds to fill vacant crossing guard positions.
In Emmaus, which previously had volunteer crossing guards, only four volunteers could be maintained on the roster following the COVID-19 pandemic, according to borough officials.
Two East Penn Elementary schools, Lincoln and Jefferson, are in the borough.
Schools Superintendent Kristen Campbell said applications for the positions have been listed on the district website,and an employment system already had been established for Willow Lane Elementary, which is in Lower Macungie Township.
"I recognize that there might be some parts of the job of being a crossing guard that might not initially be attractive," Campbell said, referencing winter weather.
"It is a great opportunity for individuals who perhaps have some availability in their day at the beginning, as well as at the end of the day, to be in a paid position and really help our community as well."
She said the district appreciates the borough's willingness to share the costs of the crossing guards.
Crossing guards will be placed at intersections based on the input of the Emmaus Police Department, according to school board members, with the potential for needs-based shifts in some locations.
Reorganization meeting highlights new board members
During the school board's Dec. 4 reorganization meeting, local politicians including Allentown City Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach and Lehigh County Commissioner Jon Irons came to congratulate and encourage the new candidates.
One community member, Heather Harlan, congratulated Shonta Ford on being the first black female school board member for the district.
Also newly elected are Gabrielle Klotz and Timothy Kelly.
At that meeting, Joshua Levinson was reinstated as board president and Adam Smith became vice president, both by unanimous votes.
"Just a quick note of thanks and gratitude to my colleagues on the board for nominating and voting me as president," Levinson said.
"I'm really looking forward to my third term as board president and working with you all on some really challenging problems that we have going on in the district and looking forward to doing a lot of great things for our students."
