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A Fairfax County Public Schools budget cut has turned daily arrivals at McLean’s Westmoreland entrance into a frustrating traffic ordeal.

When FCPS adopted its fiscal year 2026 budget, it replaced McLean’s traffic officer with a civilian crossing guard. The change came as the Fairfax County Police Department faced a shortage of patrol officers, including officers reassigned to traffic duty.

The crossing guard focuses solely on pedestrian safety and cannot direct general traffic as a police officer could. While that support benefits students walking or biking to school, drivers now routinely encounter severe backups.

Cars waiting to turn left into the school can stretch far down the road, adding five to 10 minutes to the trip. Some drivers detour through nearby neighborhoods or make U-turns so they can approach the entrance from the right. Others feel pressured to make aggressive turns as lines of roughly 20 vehicles form behind them.

Timing can make the congestion worse. When a break finally appears in oncoming traffic, the crossing guard may stop the left-turn lane so pedestrians can cross. By the time vehicles are allowed to proceed, the opening may have disappeared.

Leaving school presents a similar problem. Without an officer managing traffic, drivers must wait for a suitable gap. The longest delays often affect motorists attempting to turn left, who must wait until both lanes are clear.

Restoring the traffic officer would make the Westmoreland entrance safer and more efficient. If that is not currently possible, FCPS should provide another form of general traffic management at the back entrance. Students already face enough pressure during the school day; simply reaching campus should not add to it.