(a) Appointment.—

1. (1) Upon request by the board of school directors of the school district in which a borough is wholly or partially located, the council may appoint school crossing guards who shall have the duty of controlling and directing traffic and pedestrians at or near schools and who shall be in suitable and distinctive uniform.

2. (2) While on duty, school crossing guards shall be under and subject to the direction of the mayor, shall serve at the pleasure of the council, except as noted in subsection (b), shall not be subject to Subchapter J (relating to civil service for police and fire apparatus operators) and shall not be entitled to participate in any borough pension plan or plans.

   1. (3) (i) The compensation of the school crossing guards, if any, shall be fixed by the council and shall be jointly paid by the council and the board of school directors, in a ratio to be determined by the council and board of school directors.
   2. (ii) If the council and board of school directors are unable to determine the ratio of compensation of the school crossing guards to be paid by the council and the board, each shall pay one-half of the compensation of the crossing guards.
3. (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, auxiliary police officers, appointed as prescribed by general law, may be designated to serve as crossing guards.

(b) Ordinance.—

1. (1) The council may enact an ordinance allowing a board of school directors to assume hiring and oversight of school crossing guards. Before the council may enact the ordinance, the board of directors of the school district must adopt a resolution requesting the authority to assume the hiring and oversight of school crossing guards.
2. (2) The ordinance enacted by the council shall outline how the police department will provide any necessary training and assistance of the school crossing guards while on duty.
3. (3) School crossing guards shall be authorized in the management of traffic and pedestrians in and around areas identified by the police department and the school district superintendent or the superintendent's designees.

4. (4) School crossing guards shall not:

   1. (i) Be subject to the civil service provisions of this part.
   2. (ii) Be considered part of the bargaining unit of the school district.

   3. (iii) Be considered:

      1. (A) An employee as defined under section 1101-A of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949.
      2. (B) A school employee as defined under 24 Pa.C.S. § 8102 (relating to definitions).
      3. (C) An employee under any plan.
5. (5) After the ordinance is enacted by the council, the school district shall assume the cost of compensation, including fixing compensation, if any, of the school crossing guards.
6. (6) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, auxiliary police officers, appointed as prescribed by general law, may be hired by the school district to serve as school crossing guards.
7. (7) The board of school directors shall notify the council of the individuals hired to serve as school crossing guards and request the necessary training or assistance be provided as outlined by the ordinance.