The Reston Association Board of Directors called on Fairfax County leaders Friday to address student safety after the county cut crossing guards at nine high schools.

In a formal statement posted Aug. 28, the RA Board encouraged both the Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax County School Board to work together on the issue. The statement cited "congestion, confusion, and difficult pedestrian conditions" around South Lakes High School since the school year began.

The move follows public criticism from Hunter Mill District School Board Representative Melanie Meren and a Board of Supervisors motion on Aug. 25 directing county staff to study the problem.

How the cuts happened

The Board of Supervisors eliminated funding for high school crossing guards this spring when it adopted the $5.9 billion fiscal year 2027 budget, according to the RA statement. The cut affected nine schools, including South Lakes, and saved roughly $1.89 million in police staffing costs, FFXnow reported. Crossing guards fall under the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD).

South Lakes sits off South Lakes Drive and shares a front entrance with Langston Hughes Middle School. Parents, students, buses and public transit all funnel through the same access point, according to the Fairfax Times.

The situation is personal for families there. Meren described dangerous conditions during the first days of school. "The most harrowing thing I saw was at dismissal. You know, the students are leaving, and I saw a student driver come to a sudden stop right in front of other students in the crosswalk," Meren told FFXnow in an Aug. 26 report.

County response

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the Board of Supervisors directed County Executive Bryan Hill to work with the school district and FCPD to identify safety concerns. Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity and Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk backed the motion.

The board requested a $400,000 placeholder in the FY 2026 carryover budget review for potential fixes.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, in an Aug. 26 statement to WTOP, said conditions at South Lakes were typical of the first day of school. He noted Fairfax County had been the only Northern Virginia jurisdiction providing crossing guards at high schools and that guards for elementary and middle school students were not affected.

What's next

The RA Board statement included resources for residents who want to contact their elected officials about the crossing guard change. County staff must report back to the Board of Supervisors by Sept. 15, when the carryover budget review is scheduled for action.