Under recommendations from top Lawrence city administrators, the school crossing guard program could be axed.

The city compensates 13 crossing guards $7 an hour to be positioned at 19 elementary school intersections. Armed with bright orange vests and stop signs, the guards control traffic as elementary students cross the street.

The guards, who are paid for three hours of work a day, also are paid two hours a week for their travel time — four hours if they staff two crossings. They’re also eligible for $100 bonuses if they are not absent during the school year and if they worked the previous year.

The city faces a loss of $1.1 million in revenue under a state budget proposal by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. If the governor’s proposal passes, the city would be forced to trim its 2009 budget.

So among City Manager Dave Corliss’ recommendations is elimination of the crossing guard program, starting next school year.

“There’s got to be a better way to provide that service if we don’t have the revenue for it,” Corliss said.

He recommends the school district assume the responsibility. It would save the city $50,000 in 2009, which represents one-half of a school year.

But Lawrence schools aren’t prepared to pick up the costs, said Rick Gammill, director of special operations, safety and transportation.

“I don’t know where the money would come from,” he said. “We certainly have no plans, at this time, of adding any additional items to our budget.”

With state budget deficits, the school district is also preparing to trim between

$1 million and $2 million from its budget this year — and between $3 million and $5 million next year, Gammill said.

Several cities across Kansas pay for crossing guards at schools, including Olathe and Kansas City.

In Manhattan, the school district took over the program from the city about six years ago, a school spokeswoman said.

In Wichita, teachers are paid a supplement to supervise sixth-graders who serve in a similar safety patrol capacity.

In Topeka, there are no crossing guards.

Lawrence city commissioners would have the final say about cutting the program locally. It will be considered among numerous other programs and services city administrators have outlined as potential reductions.