Lehighton Area School District approved an agreement Monday night that will gradually shift the full financial responsibility of crossing guard services from Lehighton Borough to the school district.

Under the agreement, the school district will cover 70% of the costs for the 2025-26 school year, amounting to $54,432 at a rate of $12.00 per hour. The percentage will increase to 85% in 2026-27, with an estimated cost of $67,473 at $12.25 per hour, and by the 2027-28 school year, the district will assume full responsibility at a cost of $81,000, with crossing guards earning $12.50 per hour.

Currently, the school district pays 60% of the costs and the borough covering the remaining 40%.

Lehighton Mayor Ryan Saunders addressed the school board in January, emphasizing the need for wage increases to retain crossing guards.

“If we don’t do something, probably within the next month or so, we’ll at least lose one guard for sure, and two more potentially,” Saunders said.

He also highlighted concerns about police officers having to fill in when crossing guard positions go unfilled.

“We want to ensure the safety of students,” Saunders said. “That’s our job, and we’re going to make sure we continue to do that, but we only have so many officers on duty at those times.”

Saunders noted that borough residents are essentially “paying twice” since they contribute to both borough and school district budgets.

School Board Director Duane Dellecker supported the move toward full district funding of crossing guard services.

“We pay 100% of the busing cost for kids from East Penn, Mahoning, Franklin, etc. We’re only paying 60% of the crossing guard cost. I support moving in a direction where we pay 100% of the crossing guard cost,” Dellecker said.

The agreement designates nine crossing locations within the borough where guards will be stationed: 10th and Mahoning Streets, 9th and Iron Streets, 9th and Mahoning Streets, North 2nd and Coal Streets, North 4th and Coal Streets, South 2nd and Iron Streets, 11th and Mahoning Streets, South 2nd and Bridge Street, and 3rd Avenue.

The borough is responsible for ensuring these areas are staffed by either a crossing guard, a substitute crossing guard, or a police officer if needed.

Crossing guards will be scheduled for four hours per day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, aligned with the operational hours of the schools.

The borough, per the agreement, will manage hiring, training, and administrative duties, while also ensuring all necessary clearances are maintained and available to the district upon request.

Under the agreement, the borough will bill the school district quarterly, with the first invoice for the 2025-26 school year due on July 1. Subsequent payments will be due every Oct. 1, Jan. 1, and April 1, through April 2028, when both parties will reassess the agreement.