School District issues survey on later starting times for high, middle schools
Recently-passed state law calls for adjustments for secondary students
The School District of Lee County sent out an email recently asking families to take the time to fill out a survey concerning later start times for middle and high school.
The Florida Legislature, in 2023, passed HB 733, a law that requires later start times for secondary students.
“Under this law, middle schools must start no earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m. By changing start times for high schools, earlier elementary start times would be needed to accommodate scarce transportation resources,” the survey states. “To accommodate for these early start times, projected bus pick up times would be an hour to two hours before the start time.”
The School District is seeking feedback to share with the Legislature. The School District is not implementing any time changes at this time.
The survey will ask parents what grade their child is in, followed by a question that targets concerns about changing bus pick-up/start times, as well as an opportunity to write concerns about school start times.
Parents also will be asked how the change will impact their child’s transportation needs, would a later start time improve, or worsen child’s overall well-being and how will the change in time will affect their daily routine.
Parents and guardians can take the survey at https://tejoin.com/scroll/484708768.
Changes must be implemented by July 1, 2026.
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