A crossing guard will no longer be available to help students heading to Dartmouth Middle School and Quinn Elementary School cross the street, as a letter told Dartmouth parents last week. 

However, the Dartmouth Police Department will assist with safety checks at the crosswalk when staffing is available, along with the schools’ resource officers, according to a video posted by the police department. The police also plan to purchase permanent speed signs at crosswalks. 

The vacancy comes after crossing guard Jodi Phillips took a job with Dartmouth Police as a dispatcher. Phillips served in the position for six years prior to taking on the new role. 

Dartmouth Police say they cannot find a replacement for Phillips, and ask that any interested community members apply by contacting Shannon Lyonnais at 508-910-1736.

The School Committee discussed the pending vacancy at their Feb. 12 meeting. Assistant Superintendent James Kiely said the police previously had up to four crossing guards working in Dartmouth, but they’ve been unable to fill the roles once vacant. 

Member Shannon Jenkins suggested that the police could potentially reach out to UMass Dartmouth to see if any college students are available to take on the role, especially students in the Crime and Justice Studies program that may be looking toward a career in law enforcement.