October 30, 2017
Dear AUSD Parents, Staff, Students & Community Members:
Representatives from the City of Albany, AUSD, and UC Berkeley have been meeting to discuss the funding of six crossing guards. The City of Albany has and will continue to fund three crossing guards. UC Berkeley has been funding two additional crossing guards but are no longer able to fund these positions. The City of Albany has agreed to fund the other three crossing guards until the December winter break, and UC Berkeley and AUSD will provide funding from January until the end of school in June. Therefore, there will be six crossing guards for the remainder of the 2017-18 school year.
Please know that the Albany Police Department works diligently to provide crossing guards daily, however, they cannot guarantee a crossing guard will be present at all crossings at all times. Should there be any future changes in crossing guard locations or changes in allocation of crossing guards, I will work with APD to get information to families in a timely manner. If you have any questions and or comments about the crossing guard program, please contact the Albany Police Department at [email protected].
Val Williams, Superintendent
August 22, 2017
Dear Ocean View, Marin, and Cornell Families:
I’m writing to update you on the School Crossing Guard Program operated by the City of Albany. At the start of the school year, crossing guards will be posted at the following locations:
- Ocean View School – Buchanan/Jackson intersection and Solano/Jackson intersection
- Cornell School – Marin/Talbot intersection and Solano/Talbot intersection
- Marin School – Marin/Santa Fe intersection
The Albany Police Department (APD) currently has five of six crossing guards hired, and they are actively working on hiring for this open position. APD is also planning to have a visible traffic safety education and enforcement presence at the schools on a random basis during pick-up and drop-off times. Officers will be issuing citations or warnings as they deem appropriate to ensure the safety of students. And, APD will continue to communicate with each elementary school principal on any related issues that may arise.
We do not anticipate any changes to the current crossing schedule; however, APD will be looking at the crossing times, frequency, bell schedule and level of utilization of the program throughout the year to determine the need for program changes, and to assist with decision making when funding levels decrease in January.
Due to a recent loss of revenue from UC Berkeley, on July 31, 2017, the Albany City Council authorized temporary funding to continue the program for six (6) crossing guards until the beginning of the winter break in December. The City Council also directed their staff to look for alternative funding sources and work with the school district, UC Berkeley, and other entities to find opportunities for collaboration and shared funding going forward. I will be working with UC Berkeley and City of Albany staff this Fall to discuss ways to make this funding happen.
Please know that APD works diligently to provide crossing guards daily, however, they cannot guarantee a crossing guard will be present at all crossings at all times. Should there be any future changes in crossing guard locations or changes in allocation of crossing guards, I will work with APD to get information to families in a timely manner. If you have any questions and or comments about the crossing guard program, please contact the Albany Police Department at [email protected].
Thank you.
Val Williams, Superintendent