Lehighton has taken the next step toward making a crossing guard agreement with Lehighton Area School District official.

On a 6-0 vote, borough council on Monday approved a resolution for the school district agreement for crossing guard payment.

Before the vote, borough Manager Dane DeWire noted this was outlining the verbal agreement.

Councilman John Kreitz was absent from the meeting.

Last month, Lehighton Area School Board approved an agreement to progressively shift the full financial responsibility of crossing guard services from Lehighton Borough to the school district.

Per the agreement, the school district will cover 70% of the costs for the 2025-2026 school year, which amounts to $54,432 at a rate of $12 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.

At present, the school district pays 60% of the costs and the borough covers the remaining 40%.

In January, borough Mayor Ryan Saunders addressed the school board and emphasized the need for wage increases to retain crossing guards.

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

He noted at that meeting 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.

The agreement designates nine crossing locations within the borough where guards will be stationed: 10th and Mahoning streets; Ninth and Iron streets; Ninth and Mahoning streets; North Second and Coal streets; North Fourth and Coal streets; South Second and Iron streets; 11th and Mahoning streets; South Second and Bridge Street; and Third Avenue.

Per the agreement, the borough is responsible to ensure 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.

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

Lastly under the agreement, the borough will bill the school district quarterly, with the first invoice for the 2025-2026 school year due on July 1. Subsequent payments are due every Oct. 1, Jan. 1, and April 1, through April 2028, when both parties will reassess the agreement.

Last month, borough council on a 6-0 measure approved a $2 raise in the hourly rates for crossing guards from $10 an hour to $12 an hour.

Saunders emphasized in February the importance of increasing wages to retain crossing guards, and told the school board that if they didn’t do something soon, they could lose at least one guard for sure, and two more potentially.

Saunders noted at that time that other districts offer higher wages, making it difficult to compete for staff. Palmerton Area School District pays guards $10 per shift, amounting to $20 per day for an hour of work.

He said at that time the goal was to ensure the safety of students, but added it only has so many officers on duty at those times, as police officers sometimes have to cover crossing guard duties when positions go unfilled.