OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Osceola County school officials are asking parents for feedback on potential changes to the district’s bell schedule that could take effect next year.
The district has presented four options for consideration, ranging from maintaining the current schedule to substantially later start times for high school students.
- Option 1 would keep existing bell times: high schools would begin at 7:15 a.m., elementary schools at 8:20 a.m., and middle schools at 9:30 a.m.
- Option 2 would move the high school start time to 8:30 a.m. and the elementary school start time to 7:30 a.m.
- Option 3 would move high schools to a 9:30 a.m. start, elementary schools to 7:15 a.m., and middle schools to 8:20 a.m.
- Option 4 would reduce the schedule to two start times: high schools at 9:30 a.m. and all other schools at 8:00 a.m.
Some of the proposed options would require additional funding to implement. Estimated costs for making changes to the bell schedule range from approximately $385,000 to $7,000,000, depending on the option selected and the necessary logistical adjustments.
The district is soliciting input from parents and stakeholders before making a final decision. Officials say they will continue to provide updates as the review process progresses and when opportunities for public comment are available…