Crossing Guard Posts To Be Reduced In Westfield For Coming School Year

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield Town Council voted last week to renew a contract for crossing guard management services, while the town continues to face staffing shortages.

A reduction of 10 crossing guard posts is expected for this school year, according to Councilman Mark LoGrippo who said there will be a total of 32 posts, as opposed to last year's 42 posts.

The town has been working with All City Management Services (ACMS) to provide crossing guards in Westfield, and the council voted to renew its contract with company at its meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 16.

LoGrippo was the only council member to reject the contract renewal.

"I'll be voting no on outsourcing the crossing guards," LoGrippo said. "I just feel the company hasn't fulfilled its obligations the past four years. Even prior to the pandemic they weren't able to fill all the posts."

LoGrippo said he understands the need to reduce the number of posts and that it is difficult hire crossing guards at this time, but he believes ACMS could "do more" to fulfill its obligations.

Due to labor shortages and COVID-19 infections, Westfield has seen an increased issue with staffing crossing guards in the past year, according to a previous announcement from Mayor Shelley Brindle. This past June, Brindle announced that nine crossing guard posts would remain unstaffed for the remainder of the school year.

Jessica Rinaldi, a crossing guard and resident in Westfield, voiced concerns at last week's meeting that guards were not paid for the three snow days they were promised in the contract.

"I'm a little disheartened by the whole thing," Rinaldi said. "I understand the police don't want to have to deal with hiring and getting crossing guards, but ... I think the company is not doing its part to keep crossing guards or find crossing guards that are in the town or even honor the contract..."

Rinaldi said she was only paid for one snow day in the previous academic year when she should have been paid for three. She asked if paid snow days would be outlined in the new contract.

Town Administrator Jim Gildea said the new contract specifically states that three snow days will be paid whether it snows or not. He said this language has not been used in previous contracts.

Gildea said more information will come in the next few weeks regarding placement of guards.

The full town meeting can be viewed on the town's Facebook page.

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