AUGUSTA (AP) — Augusta has eliminated school crossing guards because so few kids walk to school these days.
The school committee says it studied the matter and found that no students crossed at five of the 10 crossings in the morning or afternoon. Most of the crossings that do get used are at bus stops, where students can safely cross when a bus has its lights flashing.
The decision to eliminate the crossing guards will be re-evaluated after the start of the school year.
Parent Jason Wyman tells the Kennebec Journal he is concerned that that may be too late as a student may already be hurt or even killed.
Superintendent James Anastasio says money was also a factor. It costs the school department about $47,000 a year to pay crossing guards.
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