COURTNEY McCLURE, for The Standard
SCUGOG: The Township of Scugog is having trouble recruiting and retaining crossing guards, according to Carol Coleman, the Director of Public Works and Infrastructure Services for the Township.
There are many absences among crossing guards, due to injury or illness.
“We have had challenges in the previous years as well, but it is currently a bigger issue than it has been in the past,” said Ms. Coleman. Currently, there are thirteen locations where school crossing guards are stationed. There are eleven regular crossing guards and two substitutes. This is because of staffing challenges, said Ms. Coleman.
To make sure all thirteen areas have a crossing guard, the Township needs thirteen regular crossing guards and, at least, three substitutes. The substitutes are in case of injury or illness of the regular crossing guards.
The Township has a few staff members trained to take over crossing guard duties. Sometimes they fill in absences. According to Ms. Coleman, the number of shifts Township staff members cover, varies.
When Township staff members cover a crossing guard shift, the staff member cannot complete their usual work. The Township may pay the staff members overtime, so they can complete their regular work, but this does not address the undo stress from overwork.
Some of the locations the crossing guards cover include the following locations: Highway 7A and Simcoe Street, Highway 7A and R.H. Cornish Public School and Old Simcoe and King Street.
The location between Highway 7A and R.H. Cornish Public School includes a morning, lunch and afternoon shift. The other locations include a morning and afternoon shift only.
The morning shift for crossing guards starts at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 9:15 a.m. This depends on the location, as some areas have an earlier shift.
The lunch shift starts at 11:35 a.m. and ends at 1:05 p.m.
The afternoon shift varies depending on the location. For many locations, it starts at 3:25 p.m. and ends at 4:25 p.m.
According to Ms. Coleman, the Township has prioritized locations based on pedestrian traffic. They are deploying the crossing guards they have to the busiest crosswalks.
There is currently no coverage for Simcoe Street and Reach Street intersection. There may be possible service disruptions moving forward, noted Ms. Coleman.
If you’re interested in applying for a crossing guard position within Scugog, you can apply online. Please email HR@Scugog.ca or contact 905-985-7346 Extension 112.
For additional information, please visit the Township’s website, at Scugog.ca.