More than 300 crossing guards are trained and ready to guide students across Hillsborough County intersections when classes resume Monday, Aug. 10, at Lennard High School, East Bay High School, Apollo Beach K-8 and other area schools.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday that it completed its annual crossing guard training, certifying volunteers who staff more than 350 school crossing locations countywide. The training follows Florida Department of Transportation guidelines, according to Spectrum Bay News 9.

For families in Apollo Beach and Ruskin, the program means a trained adult will be posted at designated crossings each school morning and afternoon.

Program Draws Guards Ages 19 to 95

The volunteers range widely. Melissa Kincheloe, who manages HCSO's crossing guard unit, told Spectrum Bay News 9 on July 14 that guards span ages 19 to 95 and include college students, retirees and stay-at-home parents.

"We make sure the kids get to school safely and home safely in the afternoon," Kenneth Alonzo, a Brandon crossing guard and former Monroe County sheriff's deputy with 20 years of law enforcement experience, told Bay News 9 on July 14. "People drive recklessly."

One of the program's longest-serving guards, 95-year-old Willie Chance of Riverview, spent more than 19 years helping students at Summerfield Crossing Elementary, according to WTSP. The school named its crosswalk in his honor.

Openings Remain

As of mid-July, HCSO was still looking to fill more than 20 crossing guard positions before the first day of school. The job listing shows pay at $21.06 per hour for part-time morning and afternoon shifts.

Part of a Broader Safety Push

The crossing guard training came one day after HCSO announced Monday that its SWAT team trained 73 school safety personnel on active-threat response. Together, the two programs represent distinct layers of school safety preparation before Aug. 10. As previously reported, the district has also moved all back-to-school forms online through the HCPS Focus Parent Portal, which families should complete before the first day.

The first day of school for all Hillsborough County Public Schools students is Monday, Aug. 10. HCSO has not identified which specific intersections near Apollo Beach and Ruskin schools are staffed by crossing guards.