I was very sorry to hear about the student hit by a car exiting the South Lakes High School drop-off this morning. While this is not the intersection where a school crossing guard was previously posted, this incident highlights that our school safety programs should not be the target of discretionary cuts. 

The Board of Supervisors should restore funding for school crossing guards at the other South Lakes Drive entrance — the flag pole entrance — and any other high school that presents an unacceptable risk. During last spring’s budget discussions, I unsuccessfully asked Chairman McKay that high school crossing guards be spared from budget cuts, and cosponsored last week’s board matter that asked for risky crossings to be reviewed and considered for funding restoration or other improvements at the carryover budget review later this month. 

While we need a crossing guard down the street from this morning’s accident, we also need to look at all the relevant safety issues around South Lakes High School and our other schools — including doubling down on efforts to slow down vehicles and looking at infrastructure and technology improvements to help get all students to and from school safely. 

To address speeding along South Lakes Drive last year, I had the county install speed cameras to improve safety in front of this school. That helps, but the removal of the crossing guard goes in the wrong direction.

Pedestrian safety has and continues to be a top priority for me across the range of local services, including law enforcement, active transportation improvements, and Fairfax County Public Schools. Especially around our schools.

Now is the time for senior leadership of Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax County to find solutions to the situation at South Lakes High School and at other high schools that present a higher safety risk after the Board’s decision to cut high school crossing guards in this year’s budget.