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Commissioner proposes Orange County teachers do crossing guard duty

A county commissioner has proposed an idea to fix the shortage of crossing guards in Orange County.

There's been a concern from parents about the lack of crossing guards for some time. The positions are often hard to fill because of low pay and few hours.

Commissioner Scott Boyd said he believes the teachers should work as crossing guards, but the school district isn't happy about the idea.

"If a crossing guard doesn't call in until right before school starts, they're scrambling to find a law enforcement officer to fill in," Boyd said.

Deputies have been pulled off the streets to fill in, and even parents have pitched in at some intersections.

Some teachers have offered to help but they are not certified, which can become a liability problem. Boyd suggested training some teachers so they can get certified.

"Teachers who are offering to spend their time before and after school, why not give them the ability to do that?" Boyd said.

But some believe most teachers won't be able to do the extra duty.

"If teachers are compensated for it, I'm sure they would step forward and take part in that expanded duty," parent Jane Dunkelberger said.

It's unclear at this point if Orange County school board members will consider Boyd's proposal.

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