IPS should not have any difficulty finding crossing guards and they should not have to pay for crossing guards, other than supervisory personnel. As part of a comprehensive education, the student body of IPS could and should be the majority of the crossing guards. In order to make it more feasible, a restructuring of the IPS school system to provide for walkable neighborhood schools, with a shifting of the majority of their transportation money to sidewalk and other pedestrian improvements (crosswalks, etc.), should also be considered.
There is no reason that the necessary number of crossing guards could not be obtained from the junior high and high school student body. These students would be selected, obviously, for their character, scholarship, etc. In fact, I would be surprised if IPS would not be able to find a surplus of crossing guards from their student body. These students could also get some credit for their efforts either through bonus points in related classes, like Civics, or via community service or academic awards. Training could be coordinated with the traffic section of the Metropolitan Police Department. However, the students should want to serve their community and school, because of its intrinsic value. If I and my classmates were expected to be responsible enough to serve as crossing guards in third grade (Our elementary school consisted of three grades) in my hometown; it is the least we should expect from the older students of IPS.
