Lee County Schools implements new start times to enhance student learning.
Lee County schools are implementing significant changes to start times and bus operations as part of the Safe Start Initiative. Elementary schools will start nearly an hour later at 8:40 a.m. to address bus delays that have historically affected student attendance. While middle and high schools will see minor schedule adjustments, efforts continue to mitigate bus driver shortages that have led to disruptions. The transition aims to streamline transportation and enhance student learning experiences.
Lee County schools are adjusting their start times and transportation operations as part of the new Safe Start Initiative aimed at improving student attendance, reducing transportation delays, and addressing ongoing bus driver shortages. These changes will impact elementary, middle, and high school schedules and are expected to streamline bus routes while enhancing student learning conditions.
Beginning this academic year, elementary schools will commence classes at 8:40 a.m. — nearly an hour later than previous start times. This timing adjustment is designed to mitigate ongoing issues with late buses, which have historically caused students to miss first periods and be dropped off home well after school concludes. Last year, approximately 8,000 students missed their first class regularly due to transportation delays, while 18,000 students were dropped off long after school hours. The shift aims to improve punctuality and ensure students are ready for learning at the start of the day.
Middle and high schools will see small or no significant adjustments in their start times. However, high schools will extend their class periods to 49 minutes and adopt a 30-minute lunch period, which allows for approximately 42 additional instructional hours annually. High school dismissal times will now be at 2:00 p.m., providing students with more instructional time and aligning transportation schedules more efficiently.
The district continues to experience challenges with bus driver shortages, which have caused disruptions in routes and delays in student pickups. In response, the district has hosted a bus driver fair and is actively recruiting through free training programs for prospective drivers, including those without commercial licenses. Full-time roles with benefits and flexible schedules are being offered to attract more drivers and stabilize bus operations.
Despite these efforts, delays persist as the district hires new drivers and adjusts to the changing transportation landscape. It is anticipated that transportation disruptions may continue for some time, even after the new start times are implemented, until staffing levels improve sufficiently.
The Safe Start Initiative is also transitioning the district’s bus system from a four-tier to a three-tier setup. This change is projected to enhance efficiency and safety by reducing the number of start times and streamline bus routes. The intent is to cut down wait times at bus stops and provide more reliable transportation for students.
The initiative was developed based on feedback from principals, staff, and community meetings. District officials believe that the new schedule and extended instructional hours will not only improve attendance and punctuality but also enhance student achievement overall.
The district emphasizes that the changes are expected to have no immediate fiscal impact. However, there could be a future effect on the transportation budget starting in fiscal year 2026 as the full staffing and operational benefits are realized. To ensure a smooth transition, the district will regularly update families and closely monitor the implementation process, making adjustments as necessary.
Lee County schools aim to address longstanding transportation issues and improve student achievement through scheduling reforms and targeted efforts to increase bus driver staffing. While some challenges remain, the district is committed to ongoing evaluation and improvements to ensure a successful transition to the new system.
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