Fairfax County supervisors ordered a safety review at nine high schools that lost crossing guards, earmarking $400,000 for potential fixes.

The Board of Supervisors acted Tuesday, Aug. 25, directing County Executive Bryan Hill to identify problems and propose solutions by Sept. 15. The move came just days after the school year began without the guards whose 13 positions were eliminated in the county's fiscal year (FY) 2027 budget. That budget, adopted May 5, cut roughly $1.89 million in police staffing costs.

Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity brought the motion, co-sponsored by Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk and Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn. In his board matter, Herrity said the board had not received information it requested on how bus and carpool traffic would be handled after the cuts.

The motion directs Hill to work with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) to determine whether problems can be mitigated and what resources are needed. A $400,000 placeholder will be added to the FY 2026 carryover review, which reallocates unspent money for the current fiscal year.

Dangerous conditions reported at South Lakes

Reports of chaos surfaced almost immediately. A South Lakes High School parent told FFXnow she witnessed widespread confusion among drivers on Monday, Aug. 24, about when to yield and when to enter or exit the kiss-and-ride lot off South Lakes Drive.

Hunter Mill District School Board Representative Melanie Meren said she observed traffic at South Lakes during arrivals and dismissals three times. All three times, she told FFXnow, "what I saw was danger."

Meren described a student driver stopping suddenly in front of other students in the crosswalk at dismissal, parents arguing, and cyclists weaving through backed-up traffic.

McLean, Langley not among affected schools

The nine schools that lost guards are Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, Edison, Oakton, South County, South Lakes, West Potomac and West Springfield. McLean and Langley high schools were not among them.

Still, the county-wide policy and the board's response affect Dranesville District residents. Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman, who represents McLean and Great Falls, did not co-sponsor the Aug. 25 motion and submitted no board matters related to crossing guards at the meeting. No on-record statement from Bierman about the board action appears in available public records as of Aug. 27.

Board chairman urges caution on reversals

Board Chairman Jeff McKay said the original decision was data-driven, in line with other Northern Virginia jurisdictions, and recommended by the FCPD. He cautioned against drawing quick conclusions from the first days of school.

"If we draw conclusions on those reductions because of one day's activities, it's going to make tough decisions that much tougher," McKay said at the Aug. 25 meeting.

McKay said "critical" concerns should be brought to the board before Sept. 15. He added that education and infrastructure improvements on problematic streets could provide a longer-term solution.

Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik requested a friendly amendment for police, FCPS, and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation to return jointly with a recommendation focused on areas of concern.

What's next

The county first floated privatizing the crossing guard program in 2024 after the FCPD reported difficulty filling positions. Hill's office proposed removing high school guards in the FY 2026 budget, but supervisors funded 16 guards for one more year at that time.

FCPS told families in an Aug. 21 newsletter to "use extra caution" and "allow a few extra minutes" near affected schools. Speed cameras in school zones resumed operations at 20 locations for the 2026-27 school year.

The board will take up the carryover package, including the $400,000 crossing guard placeholder, on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Residents can submit concerns to their district supervisor's office before that date.