The Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) just approved crossing guards for Bolinas and West Marin schools, starting in August. This move is part of a countywide push that’ll bring guards to 88 schools across Marin.
TAM recently revised its evaluation criteria, putting a sharper focus on safer routes to school. Families in Bolinas, Point Reyes Station, and the rest of West Marin have been pushing for more protection along busy roads like Bolinas Road and Highway 1.
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What’s new at TAM’s crossing guard program
Communities throughout Marin want safer commutes for their kids. TAM responded by rethinking how it decides where guards go and how many it can afford.
The Bolinas and West Marin assignments are the first test of these new criteria. The agency’s reach now stretches from Sausalito to San Rafael and out to rural roads near Olema and Tomales Bay.
Revised criteria and county-wide expansion
The updated framework looks at things like vehicle and pedestrian traffic, accident history, and the shape of the road to spot risky school routes. With the program now covering 88 schools, TAM uses a mix of Measure A funds (the county transportation sales tax) and Measure B funds (the vehicle registration fee) to pay for safety staff and programs.
- Funding is projected to exceed $2 million next year across Marin County.
- Guards are recruited by a statewide company and paid about $20 per hour.
- Shifts total four hours per day, usually split between two hours per crosswalk. Guards come back for the second half of the day.
- Site selection combines traffic metrics and safety history to target routes most in need of protection.
Local impact in Bolinas and West Marin
In Bolinas, locals have complained for years about speeding on Bolinas Road as families cross to reach Bolinas School. There’s a crosswalk and a flashing light, but drivers—especially beach-bound tourists—still fly by, making it risky for students and parents.
Jacquie Jacobs, a Bolinas parent, even stepped up as a volunteer crossing guard before TAM’s decision, which says a lot about local worries.
West Marin School faces its own headaches on Highway 1. A pedestrian-activated light went in last year, but fast traffic and crowds of sightseers still make things dicey. Parent Justine Quattlander says drivers rarely slow down near the campus, so trained guards are needed to actually stop cars and help kids cross safely.
Families in Point Reyes Station and Tomales see these changes as a real improvement, especially during foggy mornings or when tourists flood the area. Residents in Marin City, Mill Valley, and San Anselmo might wonder when they’ll get similar help on their own busy school routes. The desire for reliable, well-staffed crossing points seems to be growing everywhere.
How the guards are funded and chosen
TAM’s program aims to be predictable and able to grow, matching Marin County’s long-term safety goals as the population rises from Fairfax to Novato. The Bolinas and West Marin placements show how TAM wants to serve rural and coastal spots just as well as urban centers like San Rafael and Larkspur.
Funding streams and staffing details
Here’s how the program works in practice:
- Measure A and Measure B funds pay for the crossing guard program countywide, covering staff and ongoing needs.
- Contracted guards earn about $20 per hour, working four-hour shifts that line up with the busiest crossing times.
- Two-hour crosswalk shifts happen in the mornings and afternoons. Guards come back to campus for the second part of their day, making sure coverage is solid.
- Countywide scope creates a more consistent approach to school-route safety, whether it’s San Anselmo, Nicasio, Corte Madera, or Point Reyes Station.
Community response and what’s next for Marin
Parent advocacy and school staff across Marin—from San Rafael to Sausalito and down to Lagunitas—have welcomed the expanded safety net. Bolinas and West Marin are celebrating the two new placements.
Residents keep pushing for more than just crossing guards. They want safer crossings through better crosswalks, brighter lighting, and pedestrian-activated signals wherever it makes sense.
With the school year creeping up, Marin towns from Novato to Tiburon are watching TAM’s rollout. Folks hope to see fewer near-miss incidents and quicker, safer crossings for students heading to Bolinas School, West Marin School, and other campuses along the coast and inland.
Here is the source article for this story: Crossing guards approved for West Marin, Bo schools
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