Parents receive notices of proposed school time changes
With the ultimate goal of getting students to school safe and on time, parents received their first formal notification early this week from the School District of Lee County of a change in school times for next year.
Some elementary schools will likely be starting earlier, middle schools will be starting at 9:45 a.m. and high schools will be starting at 7 a.m. as the school district proposes to implement its Safe Start Initiative for the 2025-2026 school year.
This initiative, pending board approval, focuses on improving bus routes, addressing driver shortages, and improving timely arrivals for students, district officials said.
As proposed, the revised start and end times are:
* High schools: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
* K-8 schools: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
* Skyline Elementary and Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
* All other elementary schools, Young Parent Education Program and Early Childhood Learning Center: 8:40 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.
* Middle Schools, Buckingham Exceptional Student Center, Royal Palm Excep-tional Center, and Success Academy: 9:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Board Chair Sam Fisher said he believes it is a very good plan.
“Obviously, safety and transportation come first for our kids,” he said.
As a parent, the change in times will impact him as well, a concern other parents have shared with him. Fisher said the concern is for parents who work earlier in the day, and the proposed changes have their children going to school later.
This could be addressed by the before-school care currently offered at schools.
“I am watching this very closely. Right now, it is important,” Fisher said, as children cannot achieve their highest potential if they do not arrive to school on time.
The time change for elementary schools will be better, as kids will not be sitting in the dark waiting for the bus to arrive, he said.
The initiative will be discussed further at the Tuesday, Feb. 4, workshop, which starts at 1 p.m., at the district office, 2855 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers.
Fisher said they will receive guidance at that point.
“The biggest thing — I encourage our community members and parents to give feedback on this,” he said, adding if someone has questions, “please reach out.”
For more details on the Safe Start Initiative and proposed school bell times, visit https://www.leeschools.net/parent_portal/safe_start_initiative.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY / news@breezenewspapers.com, please email