Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/352007
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has selected Staffing Connection/Action Labor of Fort Lauderdale to assume school cross- ing guard services for the Sarasota County schools, the office has announced. The agency announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) on May 22, with a final due date for all submissions of June 18, a news release explains. The contractor will be responsible for providing crossing guards who are certified by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) at specified loca- tions throughout Sarasota County at the appropriate times before and after school, the release points out. The contractor will also be completely responsible for the recruit- ment, retention, training and supervision of personnel, it notes. In Sarasota County, between 30 and 35 school crossing guards are required for each school day, the release says. Current school cross- ing guards who are part-time employees of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office were notified about the change and advised that a transition mechanism is in place for those interested in continuing in their positions, the release adds. "The staffing of school crossing guard posi- tions is better suited for a private labor agency than as a function of a law enforce- ment agency as it has been in the past," said Sheriff Tom Knight, in the release. "To con- tinue to provide a high level of service to our community, we believe this is the best solu- tion for the children of Sarasota County." PRIVATE FIRM TO ASSUME SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD SERVICES The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has hired a private firm to handle school crossing guard services for the county school system. Photo by Cleve Posey Sarasota News Leader July 25, 2014 Page 79