(a) Upon request of the board of school directors of a school district located wholly or partially within the township, the board of supervisors by resolution may appoint school crossing guards to control and direct traffic at or near schools. The school crossing guards shall be in uniform and shall be authorized only in the management of traffic and pedestrians. School crossing guards serve at the pleasure of the board of supervisors, except as provided in subsection (c), and are not eligible to join any township pension fund. The board of supervisors shall determine the compensation of school crossing guards, to be paid by the township or jointly by the township and the school district in a ratio to be determined by the two boards. If the township and school district cannot determine the ratio of compensation to be paid by each board, each board shall pay one-half of the compensation of the school crossing guards.

(b) The board of supervisors may create an educational service agency under section 402.1 of the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937 P.L. 2897, No. 1), known as the “Unemployment Compensation Law,”¹ to provide school crossing guards to one or more educational institutions in conjunction with the school district. The educational service agency shall serve as the agency for management and control of the school crossing guards.

(c) The board of supervisors may approve an ordinance allowing a board of school directors to assume hiring and oversight of school crossing guards. Before the board of supervisors may approve such an ordinance, the board of directors of the school district shall approve a resolution requesting the authority to assume the hiring and oversight of school crossing guards. The ordinance shall outline how the police department will provide any necessary training and assistance of the school crossing guards while on duty. Such school crossing guards will be authorized only in the management of traffic and pedestrians in and around areas identified by the police department and the school district superintendent or his or her designees. The school crossing guards shall not come within the civil service provision of this act, nor shall they fall under the bargaining unit of the school district nor be considered an employe as defined under section 1101-A² of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L. 30, No. 14), known as the “ Public School Code of 1949,” or a school employee as defined under 24 Pa.C.S. § 8102 (relating to definitions) or under any plans hereafter effective. Once the ordinance receives approval by the board of supervisors, the school district shall assume the cost of compensation, including fixing such compensation, if any, of the school crossing guards. Auxiliary policemen, appointed as prescribed by general law, may be hired by the school district to serve as school crossing guards. The board of school directors shall notify the board of supervisors of those hired to serve as school crossing guards and request the necessary training or assistance be provided as outlined by the ordinance.