Fairfax County Public Schools Requests Restoration of High School Crossing Guards After Reston Incident

Fairfax County Public Schools has requested the return of crossing guards at certain high schools following an incident involving a student at South Lakes High School in Reston. On the morning in question, a 16-year-old student walking to class was hit by a car. Police reported that the student was not in a crosswalk, and the individual was taken to a hospital with non-serious injuries. The driver remained on scene while the investigation proceeds.

The request targets high schools with the greatest safety concerns, explicitly including South Lakes. This development follows the 2025 budget decision by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to eliminate funding for crossing guards at all public high schools. The change was projected to save about 1.89 million dollars in staffing expenses and applied only to high schools, leaving support intact for elementary and middle schools.

Details of the Incident and Immediate Response

The crash occurred just before 8 a.m., according to Fairfax County police. A crossing guard previously assigned nearby was called back for afternoon duties at South Lakes that same day. The guard, who has served for 21 years, indicated plans to assist students regardless and noted the reinstatement came after a parent alert. Students at the school reacted positively to the guard's presence upon dismissal.

School Board member Melanie Meren, representing the Hunter Mill District, observed the scene and shared concerns publicly. Meren advocated for restoring the guards, stating that the Board of Supervisors should fund basic public services. Fairfax County Public Schools issued a statement underscoring the importance of crossing guards and other safety measures while urging caution from all road users.

Positions from County Leadership

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay issued a statement noting that pedestrian safety has been a long-standing priority. He highlighted ongoing efforts such as speed cameras in school zones and described the budget decision as based on police data. McKay pointed out that the incident location had never had a crossing guard and that Fairfax County was previously the only area providing them at high schools.

McKay also referenced additional state funding received by Fairfax County Public Schools after the budget approval, which offered discretion for allocations. The statement expressed well wishes for the student's recovery and a commitment to collaborative improvements with schools and police.

Fairfax County School Board Composition

The Fairfax County School Board oversees educational matters in the county and includes the following current members: Tom Dannan, Robyn Lady, Marcia St. John-Cunning, Melanie Meren, Ricardy Anderson, Mateo Dunne, Karl Frisch, Sandy Anderson, Seema Dixit, Kyle McDaniel, Ryan McElveen, and Ilryong Moon. The board has supported the request for guard reinstatement at high-risk locations.

Broader Context on Safety Measures

The elimination of high school crossing guards earlier this year generated discussions among parents and officials about traffic conditions around schools. Some community members reported observing congestion and pedestrian activity during arrivals and dismissals. Police data guided the initial decision, but the recent event has renewed focus on evaluating additional protections.

Fairfax County Public Schools continues to emphasize student welfare as a top priority. Officials encourage adherence to traffic laws and heightened awareness near schools. Discussions between the county and schools are expected to address both immediate and longer-term safety enhancements.

https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/virginia/fairfax-county/fcps-requests-return-of-crossing-guards-at-high-schools-after-student-hit-in-reston/

To Contact Fairfax School Board Members:
All Members - FairfaxCountySchoolBoard@fcps.edu,
Tom Dannan - tfdannan@fcps.edu, 
Robyn Lady - ralady1@fcps.edu,
Marcia St. John-Cunning -  mstjohncunni@fcps.edu,
Melanie Meren - HunterMillStaff@fcps.edu,
Ricardy Anderson - randerson@fcps.edu,
Mateo Dunne - mdunne@fcps.edu,
Karl Frisch - kfrisch@fcps.edu,
Sandy Anderson - sanderson@fcps.edu,
Seema Dixit - sdixit@fcps.edu,
Kyle McDaniel - kmcdaniel@fcps.edu,
Ryan McElveen - rlmcelveen@fcps.edu,
Ilryong Moon - imoon@fcps.edu,

Email Fairfax County Supervisors At:
Jeff McKay → chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Kathy Smith (Sully District) sully@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Rachna Heizer (Braddock District) braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov,
James Bierman (Dranesville District) dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Rodney Lusk (Franconia District) franconia@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Walter Alcorn (Hunter Mill District) huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Andres Jimenez (Mason District) mason@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Daniel Storck (Mount Vernon District)  mtvernon@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Dalia Palchik (Providence District)  providence@fairfaxcounty.gov,
Pat Herrity (Springfield District) springfield@fairfaxcounty.gov,