ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. \u2014 Thousands of Orange County students are expected to return to class next week by walking or biking to campus, but the county is still short dozens of school crossing guards.<\/p>\n
Orange County needs 309 crossing guards to fill all posts across the county. There are currently 61 vacancies.<\/p>\n
Awilda Torres with the Orange County Sheriff\u2019s Office said the county will rely on trainers, supervisors, deputies and field service officers to help cover gaps.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur trainers will go out, supervisors will go out, and then we also notify the comms center where our deputies will go out and also our field service officers,\u201d Torres said.<\/p>\n
As for the crossing guards who will direct students across streets in the new school year, they recently completed final training. The training included reminders about changing road conditions, including self-driving vehicles, e-bikes and e-scooters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWaymos \u2014 they are not leaving no time soon,\u201d Torres said of the self-driving vehicles.<\/p>\n
Crossing guards are preparing for students who arrive on e-bikes, e-scooters and regular bicycles. Guards are trained to ask students to get off those devices before crossing the street.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome parts are challenging, especially when they don\u2019t want to dismount from their bikes or the scooter,\u201d school crossing guard trainer Belinda Maldona said. \u201cBut I gained trust from the students, and they wind up doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Orange County Public Schools recently implemented a ban on micromobility devices for students who do not have a driver\u2019s license or learner\u2019s permit. Crossing guards will not enforce that policy.<\/p>\n
\u201cParents should be more involved with the mobility and what is safe for their child. We only can do as much as we can,\u201d Maldona said.<\/p>\n
Maldona, who has worked as a crossing guard in Horizon West for two years, is now a trainer but is expected to continue working in crosswalks because of the shortage.<\/p>\n
The job can be difficult to fill because crossing guards typically work one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease join our team,\u201d Maldona said. \u201cIt is very important. If you want to do something for the community, join us. It is a wonderful job.\u201d<\/p>\n
The shortage is similar to previous years, but as Orange County grows and roads change, officials said finding the right fit has become more difficult.<\/p>\n
Crossing guards in Orange County are paid $18.18 an hour.\u00a0<\/p>\n