As thousands of Mt. Lebanon students prepare to return to school later this month, they’ll once again be greeted by the familiar faces of the municipality’s crossing guards. But for the first time in more than two decades, the number of crossing guard posts throughout the community has been reduced.

Following an extensive review of traffic patterns, pedestrian activity and student travel data, the Mt. Lebanon Police Department eliminated seven crossing guard posts for the 2026-27 school year.

“We haven’t changed the crossing guard posts in over 20 years,” Police Chief Jason Haberman said. “We made this decision after closely examining the patterns and data.”

Haberman said the review focused on objective data rather than tradition.

“We evaluate data, we evaluate facts, we evaluate statistics anytime we review any kind of mobility issue,” he said. “The number of kids driving to high school and being dropped off and picked up has increased significantly.”

The crossing guard posts eliminated for the upcoming school year are:

• Larchdale Road and Arrowood Drive 

• Robb Hollow Road and Sylvandell Drive 

• Broadmoor Avenue and Crystal Drive 

• Ruth Street and Linda Drive 

• Crescent Avenue at Markham Elementary 

• Inglewood Drive and Crescent Avenue 

• Washington Road and Lebanon Avenue 

Despite the changes, the crossing guard program remains one of the municipality’s largest investments in student safety.

Jointly funded by the Mt. Lebanon School District and the Mt. Lebanon Police Department, the program includes 54 crossing guards, including substitutes, and one supervisor. The program’s 2026 budget is $584,930.

Crossing guards do more than assist students before and after school. They are often the first and last adults to greet children each school day and also assist at community events, including Final Fridays.

For the 2026-27 school year, crossing guards will staff 32 locations throughout the municipality during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. Four locations also will be staffed during lunchtime.

The remaining crossing guard posts are located throughout the district to serve each elementary and middle school, including intersections near Foster, Hoover, Howe, Jefferson, Lincoln, Markham, Mellon and Washington schools.

Haberman emphasized that the department will continue reviewing crossing patterns and student travel habits to ensure crossing guards are assigned where they are needed most.

“Our goal remains the same,” he said. “We want students to have safe routes to and from school.” 

2026-27 Mt. Lebanon Crossing Guard Locations

All 32 posts include start and dismissal. Those that include lunch are marked with an (L)

Foster Elementary

• Vermont Avenue at Foster Elementary (L) 

• Vermont Avenue at Woodland Avenue (L) 

• Vermont Avenue at Hoodridge Drive 

Hoover Elementary

• Robb Hollow Road at School 

• Larchdale Drive at Firwood Drive 

Hoover Elementary / Jefferson Middle

• Bower Hill Road at Firwood Drive 

Howe Elementary

• Broadmoor Avenue at Anawanda Avenue 

• Broadmoor Avenue at Audubon Avenue 

• Sleepy Hollow Road at Country Club Drive 

• Broadmoor Avenue at Sunset Drive 

Jefferson Elementary / Jefferson Middle

• Bower Hill Road at Moffett Street 

• Scrubgrass Road at Elm Spring Road 

Jefferson Middle

• Bower Hill Road at Lakemont Drive 

• Beverly Road at Cochran Road 

• Cedar Boulevard at Salem Drive 

• Bower Hill Road at Cochran Road 

Lincoln Elementary

• Bower Hill Road at Ralston Place 

• North Meadowcroft Avenue at Edward Avenue 

• Beverly Road at North Meadowcroft Avenue 

• Beverly Road at Overlook Drive 

• Beverly Road at Ralston Place (L) 

• Arden Road at Overlook Drive 

Markham Elementary

• Beadling Road at Crescent Drive 

Markham Elementary / Mellon Middle

• Washington Road at Woodhaven Drive 

Mellon Middle

• Scott Road/Castle Shannon Boulevard/Sunset Drive 

Washington Elementary / Mellon Middle

• Castle Shannon Boulevard at Walkway 

• Washington Road at Castle Shannon Boulevard 

• Washington Road at Washington/Mellon (L) 

• Castle Shannon Boulevard at Shady Drive East 

• Washington Road at Jefferson Drive 

• Castle Shannon Boulevard at Hemlock Street 

• Washington Road at Cedar Boulevard