FORT WORTH, Texas — Fort Worth is giving crossing guards a big raise following a vote at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
A new contract with All City Management Services, which has managed Fort Worth’s crossing guards since 2017, will raise the minimum wage for crossing guards from $13.50 to $15.45 an hour. The raise will impact crossing guards at 166 schools in 14 school districts within Fort Worth’s city limits.
The $4.4 million, three-year contract will increase year over year to accommodate a nearly 3.5% average raise for crossing guards and supervisors. The increase also covers the increasing demand for crossing guards from 314 intersections to 374 by 2027.
In January, the City Council reluctantly approved a salary increase from a starting wage of $12 to $13.50. Several council members asked city staff to seek a new contract with lower overhead costs to pay crossing guards at least $15 an hour.
A Keller ISD student hit by a car on the way to school within the city limits of Fort Worth renewed interest in bettering safety around schools, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
Council Member Jared Williams, who represents parts of southwest Fort Worth, is aiming for a $20 starting wage for crossing guards.
“We’ve been working hard to increase that for our crossing guards who do so much to protect our babies and keep them safe,” Williams said. “I am imploring us as we move into our next budget cycle that we really take seriously the wages that were paying in the city and make sure that every public servant will be able to live in the city of Fort Worth.”
Fort Worth’s legal council said the city could amend the contract during the city’s next budget cycle, which begins in October.
The crossing guards work three hours per day and supervisors work five. Fort Worth residents can find your nearest crossing guard location here.
